Arch Manning’s final dropback of the first half brought him to a familiar destination.
The Texas football offensive line, overwhelmed by a six-man Mississippi State pass rush, purchased Manning a one-way ticket to his own backside during the second quarter of Saturday’s game. Manning, who has taken 18 sacks in eight starts as the second-most pressured quarterback in the SEC, is collecting loads of frequent flyer miles.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) celebrates Texas’ Red River Rivalry win with the Golden Hat after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns punter Jack Bouwmeester (19) celebrates winning the Red River Rivalry with the Golden Hat after Texas beat Oklahoma 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns place kicker Will Stone (15) celebrates with the Golden Hat after the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Jelani McDonald (4) celebrates the Texas Longhorns’ Red River Rivalry win with the Golden Hat after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates Texas’ Red River Rivalry win with the Golden Hat after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates after winning the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrate after winning the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Jonah Williams (9) celebrates Texas’ Red River Rivalry win after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith (26) celebrates with the Golden Hat after the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Trevor Goosby (74) celebrates with the Golden Hat after the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates Texas’ Red River Rivalry win with the Golden Hat after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) embraces defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) as they celebrates Texas’ Red River Rivalry win after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) hands the ball off to Texas Longhorns running back James Simon (31) in the third quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) catches a pass in the end zone to score the first touchdown of the game in the third quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbot hands Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) The Governor’s Cup Trophy after Texas beat Oklahoma 23-6 in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) carries the ball for a first down in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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The Texas defense bring down Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (5) in the first quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Niblett (21) returns the ball off a punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws a pass in the second quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (1) goes to tackle Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) in the second quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Brad Spence (14) taunts Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas fans cheer for their team in the first half of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) carries the ball out of trouble as Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) and defensive back Gentry Williams (9) chase in the second quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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The Oklahoma defense sack Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) in the first quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas fans cheer for their team in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas scores the extra point in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) catches a snap in the third quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) brings Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Keontez Lewis (9) down out of the air as he catches the ball in the first quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian gets off the bus ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) arrives at the stadium for the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas fan Bill Melot, from Austin, enjoys a turkey leg ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas fans Heather and Garrison Ray, from Jarrell, enjoy a ride at the Texas State Fair ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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A young Texas fan hoists a large prize while exploring the Texas State Fair ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Fan Avery, 6, slides down the giant slide at the Texas State Fair ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) runs the ball under pressure from Oklahoma defense in the second quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) carries the ball after making an interception for Texas in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) celebrates after making an interception for Texas in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Renee Richmond rides the log flume ride with Eve and Sarah Mills at the Texas State Fair ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas fans David, Briana and Brian Morales, from Corpus Christi, play the ring toss at the Texas State Fair ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) celebrates as the game draws to a close in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas mascot Bevo walks across the Cotton Bowl to his pen ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Liona Lefau (18) wears a lei to celebrate winning the Red River Rivalry, beating Oklahoma 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Xavier Filsaime (17) argues with Oklahoma players during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (5) drops a pass in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) is sacked in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) runs the ball during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) intercepts a pass during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) talks to his team during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Ryan Niblett (21) returns a kick during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (1) celebrates a sack during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Brad Spence (14) celebrates a sack during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (1) sacks Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) during the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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The Texas Longhorns take the field ahead of the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners running back Tory Blaylock (6) is tackled by Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Hero Kanu (93) during the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Hero Kanu (93) celebrates a tackle for a loss during the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners running back Xavier Robinson (24) is tackled by Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) during the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) is pressured during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) is pressured by Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (1) during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) runs the ball during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) is sacked during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) runs the ball during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners place kicker Tate Sandell (29) kicks a field goal during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners tight end Jaren Kanak (12) is tackled during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Lance Jackson (40) and Texas Longhorns linebacker Brad Spence (14) tackle Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) on 4th down at the end of the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Mississippi State crafted a defensive game plan designed to swarm an embattled Texas offensive line. It blitzed Manning 24 times on his 53 dropbacks. Bulldogs defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler was particularly aggressive on third down. Manning dropped back to pass 19 times on third down and was met with a pressure package on 17 of those occasions.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) passes the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Oct. 25, 2025, at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss.
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Through the first half, Hutzler’s plan looked genius. The Bulldogs held the Longhorns to an abysmal 3.6 yards per play and carried a 24-14 lead into the halftime locker room, positioned to secure their first SEC win since 2023 and hand Texas a loss that would deal a death blow to the Longhorns’ College Football Playoff aspirations.
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Then Manning, as coach Steve Sarkisian put it, “grew up.”
“You need moments like this,” Sarkisian said postgame. “…He does everything the right way. And people that do things the right way, sooner or later, the tide turns for you.”
Arch Manning turns the tide against the blitz
The tide turning for Manning, in this case, comes down to a simple quantification.
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In the first half, he went 4-for-8 against Mississippi State’s pressure looks and was sacked twice. It looked like a continuation of his start last week against Kentucky, in which the Wildcats pummeled him with blitz packages and held him to a 12-for-27 effort with 132 passing yards.
In the second half, Manning finally made the Bulldogs pay for their aggression. He posted a 10-for-16 effort against pressure looks, picking up 191 yards through the air.
“I thought Arch battled his tail off,” Sarkisian said. “I wish we played a little better around him at times. I wish we blocked a little better, maybe caught a couple more balls. But, man, he’s a warrior. He battles. He competes. He takes hits. He stands in the midst of the fire and continues to throw.”
MORE: 3 questions facing Arch Manning, Longhorns after comeback win
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Scheme deserves the credit for some of Manning’s production under pressure, with the Longhorns adjusting at halftime to Mississippi State’s strategy. In the third quarter, Sarkisian dialed up a screen for Ryan Wingo that turned into a 47-yard chunk play. As Texas surged back from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter, short, quick passes to Quintrevion Wisner resulted in two key third-down conversions.
Sometimes, though, Manning just made things happen.
Escaping the pocket to his left on a key third-and-10 early in the fourth quarter, Manning set his feet and found Wingo downfield for a 62-yard gain that set up a touchdown.
On the next drive, he stood tall in the pocket amidst a six-man pressure package and delivered a picture-perfect fade to Emmett Mosley V for another touchdown.
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Manning eventually took one hit too many, leaving the game in overtime with an undisclosed injury after a Mississippi State player made forceful contact with the back of his head on a scramble play. But his effort against the blitz helped ensure the Longhorns are still fighting for everything they set out to achieve.
How Anthony Hill Jr. saved a shaky performance by Texas football defense
Longhorn linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is likely to be selected on the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft next spring. He is one of a handful of elite tools for defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski to deploy how he sees fit.
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Typically, Kwiatkowski uses Hill’s skillset in ways that don’t involve rushing the passer. As a true freshman, Hill went after the quarterback on 18.2% of his total snaps. That dropped to 8.6% last season.
REPORT CARD: Defense struggles but Arch Manning, passing game ace test
Coming into Saturday’s game, Hill had rushed the passer on 13.7% of his 2025 reps. Notably, he hadn’t been very productive when doing so, converting his 51 total pass rush reps into just eight quarterback pressures, three of which came against a terrible Sam Houston team in Week 3.
Kwiatkowski unleashed Hill against Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen 18 times Saturday. He turned those opportunities into nine pressures and 2.5 sacks — all of which came with less than 10 minutes remaining in the game.
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Texas football continues to struggle between the tackles
In the buildup to Saturday’s game, Sarkisian expressed a desire to play conservatively on offense and let Texas’ elite defense and special teams play carry his team forward.
A double-digit halftime deficit forced the Longhorns out of that strategy quickly. So, too, did an inability to run the ball effectively on the interior.
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With a true freshman at left guard and starting center Cole Hutson still unavailable, the Longhorns could not generate push between the tackles against Mississippi State.
Ten designed interior runs by Texas yielded just 19 yards. Last week, with the same personnel starting the Longhorns on the offensive line, six interior runs against Kentucky resulted in just 14 yards.
For the season, Texas is averaging 3.68 yards per carry on interior rushing plays. Texas accumulated 99 of its 339 total interior yards in a Week 7 victory over Oklahoma.
The Longhorns found some more success on the perimeter, but the results there still weren’t noteworthy. Fourteen outside runs resulted in 60 rushing yards for the Texas offense against Mississippi State.
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Matthew Caldwell’s veteran nous makes difference for Texas football
As Matthew Caldwell settled into his stance on second-and-6 from the Mississippi State 10-yard line, he surveyed the defense and made eye contact with Mosley, who was the lone receiver to Caldwell’s right.
Caldwell entered the game at its decisive moment after Manning’s injury forced him to the sideline. The senior, playing for his fourth different program, provided the touch of veteran experience that the moment required.
He called an audible at the line of scrimmage, Mosley later said.
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After a play fake, he dropped a perfect pass into Mosley at the corner of the end zone. Originally ruled incomplete, it was overturned after a review and stood as the game-winning touchdown after the Longhorns stopped Mississippi State on the subsequent possession.
“We had a (run-pass option) on,” Caldwell said. “I tagged Emmett on just a fade and threw it up to him and let him go make a play.”
The Texas football true freshman report
Eight Texas true freshmen appeared in Saturday’s game, with left guard Nick Brooks and nickel corner Graceson Littleton both getting the start.
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Brooks became the eighth Longhorn freshman to appear in five games, thereby burning his redshirt season.
Littleton made the most significant impact on the stat sheet with seven total tackles. But the biggest play of the night belonged to Lance Jackson, a rookie edge rusher.
Jackson blew up Mississippi State’s right tackle to stop the Bulldogs’ fourth-and-20 desperation play in overtime before it could get going. He got an arm on Shapen to shepherd him back toward a pack of chasing Longhorns, resulting in a game-ending sack-fumble.
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