Texas defense dominates as Manning throws three TDs against Mississippi State

No. 11 Texas defeated Mississippi State 31-3 on Saturday night in Austin, Texas, behind a high-volume passing attack and a defense that controlled the clock.

Arch Manning completed three touchdown passes to give the Longhorns the lead. Maraad Watson added a 61-yard fumble return in the final minute of the first half to extend the margin.

Texas (6-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) improved to two wins in a row after losing two midseason games. The victory keeps the team within striking distance for the conference title. Mississippi State (4-4, 2-4) dropped its fourth straight game.

Manning found Cam Coleman at the 14-yard line on the fourth play of the game. That score started a defensive battle that lasted until the final minutes of the first half. Watson intercepted the ball after Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann was sacked.

Watson, a 6-foot-3, 333-pound defensive tackle, ran the ball to the end zone with the help of blockers. The hit that caused the fumble came from linebacker Rasheem Biles. Biles recorded eight tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles in the win.

Swann, a transfer making his first start, was injured on the play and left the game. He spent the second half with his right arm in a sling. Parker Puckett, a walk-on, took over the offense for the remainder of the contest.

Manning connected with Raleek Brown in the third quarter and Emmett Mosely V in the fourth to close out the game. The Longhorns held Mississippi State to just three points despite the Bulldogs sacking Manning six times.

Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby cited penalties and execution issues. He noted that the team committed false starts on early downs in the first quarter. The Bulldogs are now without their starting quarterback, Kamario Taylor, who is recovering from a season-ending toe injury.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said the team is still finding its potential. He noted that the group has ways to win even with a struggling running game and inconsistent pass protection. The Longhorns will play at Missouri on Nov. 7.

Mississippi State hosts Vanderbilt on Nov. 7. The Bulldogs have lost four games since Taylor last played, a stretch that includes losses to top-ranked opponents. The team must find stability at the quarterback position before the end of the regular season.