AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The No. 16 Texas Longhorns delivered a significant blow to the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies” aspirations by winning 27-17 on Friday night, ending the Aggies” undefeated season and eliminating them from the Southeastern Conference championship game.
Freshman quarterback Arch Manning played a pivotal role in the victory, throwing a touchdown pass and securing the game”s final score with a critical run late in the fourth quarter. Manning”s 29-yard touchdown connection with Ryan Wingo in the third quarter put Texas ahead 13-10.
With just over seven minutes remaining, Manning showcased his athleticism with a 35-yard run on a crucial third down, extending Texas” lead to 27-17. This victory helps Texas maintain slim hopes of making it to the College Football Playoff for a third consecutive year.
On the other hand, the Aggies, now 11-1, will have to reassess their playoff positioning after this setback. Despite the loss, Texas A&M is expected to secure their first playoff berth, but this defeat at the hands of their rivals is likely to linger.
Meanwhile, in another rivalry game, No. 4 Georgia narrowly defeated No. 23 Georgia Tech 16-9, marking their eighth consecutive win in this matchup. In Philadelphia, the Chicago Bears recorded their fifth straight victory, overpowering the struggling Philadelphia Eagles 24-15.
In coaching news, Lane Kiffin of Ole Miss expressed uncertainty about his future following the Rebels” 38-19 win over Mississippi State. Kiffin is reportedly weighing his options and seeking guidance from coaching mentors.
As the college football season progresses, the Big 12 championship game is confirmed with Texas Tech facing BYU, while Indiana prepares for the Big Ten title after a dominant win over Purdue.
In the professional sphere, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 129-119, marking a significant moment as Anthony Davis returned to the Staples Center. Additionally, Tavita Pritchard has been named the new head coach of Stanford football, taking over from interim coach Frank Reich.
As the season continues, teams across all levels are gearing up for significant matchups and decisions that could impact their trajectories heading into the playoffs.
