On a crisp Saturday afternoon in Austin, Arch Manning didn’t just play football—he rewrote history. The sophomore quarterback for the Texas Longhorns threw for four touchdowns, ran for one, and even caught one, becoming the first player in modern SEC history to accomplish all three in a single game. His performance powered Texas to a 52-37 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks on November 22, 2025, in front of 102,361 fans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. And with the College Football Playoff hanging by a thread, this might’ve been the most important game of the season.
How a Quarterback Became a One-Man Offense
Manning’s stat line looked like a video game glitch: 393 passing yards, 6 total touchdowns, zero interceptions. But the numbers don’t capture the moments that made it legendary. At the start of the third quarter, with Texas clinging to a 24-20 lead, Manning broke free on a designed run, cut twice to evade defenders, and lunged across the goal line for a 31-20 advantage. ESPN’s play-by-play captured the moment: “He’s got space, he’s got room—he’s in!” Then, just minutes later, he took a direct snap on a trick play, rolled right, and fired a laser to wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 28-yard score. Moore had three touchdowns on the day. But the real twist? Manning caught one himself. On a gadget play designed for Moore, the ball bounced off the defender’s hands and floated toward the end zone. Manning, ever the competitor, leapt and snagged it. “It was kind of sunny out,” he joked afterward. “I lost it for a second. He threw it well in practice. He’s bailed me out a few times, so I had to bail him out.”The Defense That Pulled the Trigger
Texas’s offense stole the headlines, but the defense delivered the knockout punch. Late in the fourth quarter, with Arkansas driving and hoping to cut the lead to single digits, Colin Simmons — a senior defensive end from Houston — crushed Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green, forcing a fumble. The ball bounced loose, and linebacker Liona Lefau, a junior from Pago Pago, American Samoa, scooped it up and sprinted 52 yards for a touchdown. It was the Longhorns’ first defensive touchdown of the season. Simmons’ sack was his 10th of the year — the most by a Texas player since Jackson Jeffcoat and Cedric Reed both hit double digits in 2013. “That’s the kind of play that changes momentum,” said head coach Stephen Sarkisian. “It’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the energy.”Arkansas Kept Fighting — But Couldn’t Keep Up
The Razorbacks (2-9, 0-7 SEC) weren’t easy to dismiss. Quarterback Taylen Green, a junior from Frisco, Texas, carved out chunks of yardage with his legs and arm, scoring on a 14-yard scramble in the second quarter and connecting with receiver Rohan Jones on a deep post that left the defender flat-footed. Running back Mike Washington added a gritty 1-yard plunge in the fourth. Kicker Spencer Starzyk nailed a 51-yard field goal, the longest of his career. But Arkansas’s offense stalled when it mattered most. Three drives inside the Texas 30 ended in field goals. Another ended in a turnover on downs. “We had chances,” said Razorbacks head coach Bobby Petrino. “We just couldn’t stop the momentum. When you’re giving up six touchdowns, you’re not going to win.”A Home Court Advantage That Won’t Quit
Texas now owns 19 wins in its last 20 home games. At Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, the Longhorns are nearly unbeatable. This win marked their eighth straight at home, and their 58th victory in the 81-game series against Arkansas — a rivalry that dates back to 1894. The crowd didn’t just cheer—they roared. Every time Manning stepped into the pocket, the stadium shook. Even the targeting penalty on Texas defensive back Ty Smith in the third quarter — a hard hit that drew a review — couldn’t dampen the energy. The call was overturned. The fans didn’t care. They were witnessing something special.
The Playoff Path: One Game Left
Texas entered the season ranked No. 1. Now, they’re No. 17 in the College Football Playoff rankings. Their path to the postseason is narrow: beat third-ranked Texas A&M on November 28, 2025, in the annual rivalry game in College Station. A win there would likely vault them into the top four. A loss? Their season ends with a 9-3 record and a trip to the Alamo Bowl. “We knew this was going to be a grind,” Sarkisian said. “But when you’ve got a guy like Arch playing like this, you believe.”What This Means for the Future
Arch Manning’s performance doesn’t just echo his famous uncle, Peyton, or his cousin, Eli. It redefines what’s possible for a quarterback in the modern SEC. He’s not just a passer—he’s a playmaker, a runner, a leader. He’s the first player since 2017 to throw for four, rush for one, and catch one in a single game across all FBS. And he did it on the biggest stage, in front of the loudest crowd, against a team that refused to quit.The Longhorns aren’t just back. They’re building something. And if Manning keeps this up, the College Football Playoff might not be a dream anymore—it’ll be a destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has any other SEC player ever recorded passing, rushing, and receiving touchdowns in the same game?
No player in modern SEC history had accomplished all three in a single game before Arch Manning did it on November 22, 2025. The last known instance of a player achieving this across all FBS was in 2017, when Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray did it against Texas Tech. Manning’s feat is unprecedented in the SEC’s 90-year history, making him the first to do it against a conference opponent with this level of offensive volume.
How does this win impact Texas’s College Football Playoff chances?
Texas’s 52-37 win over Arkansas keeps their playoff hopes alive, but only barely. They’re currently ranked No. 17 and must defeat No. 3 Texas A&M on November 28 to have any realistic shot. Even with a win, they’ll need help from other top teams to lose. Their resume now includes wins over Oklahoma, LSU, and Arkansas — but losses to Alabama and TCU still weigh heavily. A victory over A&M could push them into the top 10, but the selection committee will demand a stronger body of work.
Why was Arch Manning’s receiving touchdown so unusual?
Quarterbacks catching touchdowns is rare, especially in high-stakes SEC games. Manning’s catch came on a trick play designed for DeAndre Moore Jr., where the ball was thrown to the sideline and bounced off a defender’s hands. Manning, sprinting into the end zone as a decoy, turned and caught it cleanly. It was only the second receiving TD by a Texas quarterback since 2000 and the first since Sam Ehlinger in 2019. The play was drawn up in practice the day before — a last-minute adjustment by offensive coordinator Zach Kittley.
What made Colin Simmons’ 10th sack so significant?
Simmons’ 10th sack of the season matched the single-season record for a Texas defensive end since Cedric Reed in 2013. It’s the most by a Longhorn in 12 years and the first double-digit sack season for Texas since 2013. His pressure forced the critical fumble that led to Liona Lefau’s 52-yard return touchdown — the defensive spark Texas desperately needed in the fourth quarter. Simmons’ consistency, especially against mobile quarterbacks like Taylen Green, was a quiet but vital part of the win.
How does this game compare to other historic Texas performances?
Manning’s six-touchdown game ties him with Vince Young’s 2006 Rose Bowl performance for the most total TDs by a Texas QB in a single game. It’s the most total touchdowns by any player in the Big 12/SEC since 2019. But unlike Young’s legendary run against USC, this one came in a conference game with playoff implications. The stakes were higher, the crowd louder, and the pressure greater. This might be remembered as the day Texas’s new era truly began.
What’s next for Arkansas after this loss?
Arkansas (2-9, 0-7 SEC) has lost seven straight conference games and is out of postseason contention. Their final game is against LSU on December 5. But the focus now shifts to offseason rebuilding. Coach Bobby Petrino will need to address offensive line issues and quarterback development. Taylen Green showed flashes of brilliance, but consistency remains a problem. The Razorbacks’ 2026 season will hinge on whether they can land a transfer QB and rebuild their offensive scheme before spring practice.