Texas authored a gutsy, get-right classic in Starkville, erasing a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Mississippi State 45-38 in overtime, the program’s first SEC win from 17-plus down in the 4th since South Carolina did it in 2013.

The night turned dramatic in OT when Arch Manning, fresh off the best performance of his Texas career, left the game after his helmet bounced off the turf at the end of a 13-yard scramble. He was slow to get up and headed to the medical tent.

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Afterward, head coach Steve Sarkisian addressed the situation. “We’ll find out more when we get back to Austin.” Sources confirmed to ESPN that Manning suffered a concussion.

Before the injury, Manning was brilliant, going 29-of-46 with 346 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, plus a rushing score.

He went 12-for-20 for 166 yards and two TDs in the fourth quarter, becoming the first Texas QB with 150-plus passing yards and two TDs in the 4th since Sam Ehlinger in 2019. Trailing 38-21, he sparked life with a 21-yard TD to Emmett Mosley V with 9:34 left, then led a drive that set up Mason Shipley’s 26-yard FG to make it 38-31. Moments later, Ryan Niblett detonated a 79-yard punt return TD to tie it with 1:47 left.

In overtime’s first snap, Manning dropped to pass, tucked, and surged up the middle before being contacted by safety Isaac Smith and hit from behind by DL Kedrick Bingley-Jones. With Arch sidelined, Matthew Caldwell entered and immediately delivered, hitting Mosley for a 10-yard touchdown that stood as the winner after the Longhorns’ defense closed the door.

Mississippi State led 18-14 at the half despite being outgained 258-189, aided by a blocked punt through the end zone for a safety and two Texas interceptions in a chaotic second quarter.

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At halftime, Sarkisian’s message was resolute. The Longhorns promptly dominated the third and fourth quarters with pass rush, adding two key sacks to force a late three-and-out, special-teams magic, and Arch’s composure.

Next up, Texas returns to DKR to host No. 10 Vanderbilt. For now, the headline is resilience and a signature road rally, a defense that finished, special teams that flipped the script, and a backup QB who closed the show. Hook ’em.