When Mississippi State scored 24 unanswered points, it didn’t look like Texas would be able to overcome the cowbells.
However, after a massive effort by Arch Manning and Ryan Niblett’s second punt returned for a touchdown this season, the two teams headed into overtime for the second week in a row.
The Longhorns fought back to win the game 45-38, denying the Bulldogs their first SEC win in two years.
Here are five takeaways from the Longhorns’ win.
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1. Arch Manning hit hard, keeps Texas in the game
Manning’s career-high 346 passing yards kept Texas in the game.
With the Mississippi State defense knocking at his door, Manning had to find ways to respond. He was sacked five times, but still found ways to make key plays.
With the Bulldog defense coming down on him in the last few seconds of the first quarter, Manning found receiver DeAndre Moore in the backfield on 3rd and 8 to extend the drive. That pass was essential to Texas putting points on the board.
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Ryan Wingo was Manning’s top target of the day, with five catches for 184 yards.
In overtime, Manning scrambled for a gain of 13 yards, but had to leave the game and go to the medical tent after taking a hard hit.
Backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell replaced Manning, completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to Emmett Mosley V that proved to be the game-winning score.
2. Secondary struggles without Michael Taaffe
It was an easy two-minute drill for Mississippi State.
At the end of the first half, the team drove 60 yards downfield in six plays. With multiple deep passes from quarterback Blake Shapen, the Bulldogs easily found the soft spots in the Longhorns’ coverage to get another touchdown to end the half leading 24-14.
It was uncertain how the Texas secondary would perform without defensive back Michael Taaffe, who was out after undergoing surgery on his thumb on Monday.
The defense was still able to make key stops. However, Mississippi State ended the game with 445 total yards.
Jelani McDonald tried his best to put the team on his back in the secondary, getting 14 tackles and a quarterback hurry. He also almost broke up the Bulldogs’ second touchdown, but the receiver still came down with the tipped ball.
The defense’s performance was a stark contrast to their other games. Texas only allowed three passing touchdowns this season until this matchup. That total was doubled in the first half alone.
3. Defense puts up heavy pressure up front
The Longhorns sacked Shapen seven times.
The biggest impact up front was felt in overtime. The game was on the line when Shapen snapped the ball on 4th and 20. He looked downfield for any open receivers and was forced to scramble. Shapen was sacked for a loss of 31 yards and linebacker Ethan Burke forced a fumble that was recovered by Alex January.
4. Self-inflicted wounds
Head coach Steve Sarkisian has talked about minimizing self-inflicted wounds multiple times over the past few months, and it came up again against the Bulldogs.
Texas was on the 1-yard line at the beginning of the fourth quarter when the flag was thrown for a false start. Between the cowbells, the screaming fans and the rain that was starting to come down, it was easy for the offensive line to jump early.
While the Longhorns were still able to come away with the touchdown to keep themselves in the game, it could’ve been a devastating mistake. Texas ended the night with nine penalties for 61 yards.
The Bulldogs also struggled with self-inflicted wounds, racking up eight penalties for 41 yards. However, Mississippi State’s penalties came at inopportune times that allowed Texas to come back and win the game.
For instance, two consecutive false start penalties in overtime forced the Bulldogs into a 4th and 20.
5. Texas blocks first field goal this season
Mississippi State attempted a field goal from 47 yards in the first quarter. If they made the field goal, they would get some points on the scoreboard to help close the 7-0 gap. However, linebacker Ethan Burke moved quickly through a gap and got both of his hands up.
Burke blocked kicker Kyle Ferrie’s attempt.
Burke ended with six total tackles and one tackle for loss.
The Texas special teams unit has gotten close to blocking a field goal several times this season. However, the team hasn’t been able to get its hands up in time until Saturday.
Texas QB Arch Manning exits with injury in Longhorns’ OT win over Mississippi StateWatch: Texas’ Ryan Niblett returns punt 79 yards for TD vs. Mississippi State