Texas ended the undefeated season of Texas A&M with a 27-17 victory on Friday night, knocking the Aggies out of contention for the Southeastern Conference championship. Quarterback Arch Manning played a pivotal role, throwing a touchdown and scoring the decisive touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
The game took place at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, where the Longhorns rallied from a halftime deficit. Manning”s 29-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo in the third quarter shifted the momentum, giving Texas a 13-10 lead.
With just over seven minutes remaining, Manning added a crucial 35-yard rushing touchdown, extending the Longhorns” lead to 27-17. This victory marks Texas” third win over a top-10 opponent this season and keeps their hopes for a place in the College Football Playoff alive.
Steve Sarkisian, the head coach of Texas, expressed confidence in his team”s playoff aspirations, stating, “We are absolutely a playoff team and worthy of an opportunity to play for a national championship.” Despite Texas” three losses this season, two of which were against top-ranked teams, Sarkisian believes their schedule merits consideration for the playoffs.
On the other hand, the loss is a bitter pill for the Aggies, who were looking to secure their first playoff berth since joining the SEC in 2012. Linebacker Taurean York reflected on the disappointment, saying, “Hurts a lot. But you got to regroup and get ready for the playoffs.”
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed, who had been a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy, struggled in the fourth quarter, throwing two interceptions, including one that was particularly damaging at the Texas 3-yard line. After leading 10-3 at halftime, the Aggies lost momentum due to a series of ineffective drives.
Manning”s performance included completing nine of his last twelve passes for 151 yards to six different receivers and rushing for 53 yards. His touchdown pass to Wingo came as he opted to throw instead of taking an open path for a first down, showcasing his decision-making under pressure.
“If you let us in, we can beat anyone,” Manning asserted after the game, emphasizing his belief in the team”s ability to compete at the highest level.
As the season progresses, Texas will be eager to make their case for the playoff committee, while Texas A&M must shake off the disappointment and focus on their upcoming playoff journey.
