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Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns are closing in on playoff contention after a disappointing start to the season.
The No. 20 Longhorns held on to beat No. 9 Vanderbilt, 34-31, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Manning, 21, was impressive in the victory, completing 25 of 33 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns.
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Texas quarterback Arch Manning throws before a game against Vanderbilt in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 1, 2025. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)
It was his second straight week with an impressive performance after completing 29 of 46 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns with one interception in their overtime win over Mississippi State last week.
Texas started fast against Vanderbilt. On the first play from scrimmage, Manning hit receiver Ryan Wingo on a screen pass for a 75-yard touchdown. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia fumbled on the ensuing possession, setting up the Longhorns for a field goal that made the score 10-0 just a couple of minutes into the game.
The Longhorns took a 17-0 lead in the second quarter after Manning led a 10-play, 83-yard touchdown drive that ended with a six-yard touchdown pass to running back C.J. Baxter.
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The Texas Longhorns celebrate after running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) runs for a touchdown in the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 1, 2025. (Scott Wachter/Image Images)
The Commodores responded with a field goal to make the score 17-3, but the Longhorns offense scored another touchdown. Running back Quintrevion Wisner punched into the end zone from four yards out to make the score 24-3.
Pavia put together a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, connecting with tight end Eli Stowers on an 18-yard touchdown to cut Texas’ lead to 24-10 before halftime.
Vanderbilt got the ball first in the second half and had a chance to take the lead, but went within three. Manning then led another long touchdown drive, a 13-play, 93-yard drive, which ended with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Emmett Mosley V to make the score 31-10.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning runs while looking to throw against Vanderbilt during the first half in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 1, 2025. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)
Vanderbilt responded with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to cut the score to 34-31, but it wasn’t enough. With 33 seconds left, Vanderbilt almost corralled the onside kick to give them a chance to tie, but the ball screeched out of bounds.
Pavia completed 27 of 38 passes for 364 yards and three touchdowns in the loss.
The Longhorns improved to 7-2 with the win and have a bye week before their next game against Georgia (6-1). A win over Georgia would go a long way toward helping Texas make the playoffs.
Vanderbilt fell to 7-2 with the loss and will look to bounce back against Auburn (4-4) next week.
