In one of college football‘s more underrated rivalries, Arch Manning and the No. 16 Texas Longhorns hosted Marcel Reed and the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies on Friday in the Lone Star Showdown.
The two teams played for just the second time since 2011, as the rivalry was put on pause when the Aggies moved to the SEC. Although Manning and the Texas offense were limited to just three points at the half, they woke up in a big way in the second half. The Longhorns erased a 10-3 deficit, going on to win 27-17, becoming the first program to beat three top 10 teams in a single season since LSU in 2019.
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Manning completed 14-of-29 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 53 yards and an electric 35-yard score. Texas also got a huge showing from running back Quintrevion Wisner, as he rushed for 155 yards on the night.
While Manning’s performance during the game was gritty and one that many will talk about throughout the weekend, something he did after the game also caught some attention online.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning keeps the ball and runs for a touchdown.Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
After Manning took a knee to run the clock out, he held onto the football and, through the crowd of players mobbing the field to celebrate, he found his head coach.
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Amid all of the craziness, Manning made sure to hand the ball to Sarkisian in what can only be a sign of appreciation and admiration of the coach who has believed in him through thick and thin of what has been a roller coaster of a season.
While Sarkisian didn’t discuss the gesture after the game, he did go on a passionate rant about why 9-3 Texas should make the College Football Playoff.
“It would be a disservice to our sport if this team’s not a playoff team when we went and scheduled that non-conference game (Ohio State),” Sarkisian said. “Because if we’re a 10-2 team, that’s not a question. But we were willing to play that game…Is that what college football’s about? Don’t play anybody and just have a good record or play the best and put the best teams in the playoff.”
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The Longhorns will learn their fate on Selection Sunday, which takes place on Dec. 7 at noon ET.
Related: Lane Kiffin’s Blunt Response to Coaching Rumors After Ole Miss-Mississippi State Game
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Nov 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.