When Arch Manning dropped back on third-and-long in the third quarter, the crowd at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium fell silent—then erupted. He faked the handoff, rolled right, and launched a 32-yard strike to DeAndre Moore Jr. in the end zone. That was his fourth passing touchdown of the night. And it wasn’t even the weirdest play he made.
From Halftime Struggle to Third-Quarter Explosion
Texas led just 24-20 at halftime after Arkansas clawed back from an early 17-3 deficit. The Razorbacks, desperate for momentum, had punched in two rushing touchdowns—Taylen Green’s 8-yard run and Mike Washington’s 12-yard plunge—to keep the game alive. But Texas kicker Mason Shipley silenced the Arkansas sideline with a 44-yard field goal as time expired, a quiet exclamation point before the storm. The second half? Pure chaos. On Texas’ first drive, Manning took a direct snap and barreled through three defenders for a 12-yard touchdown. Three minutes later, he found Moore Jr. again—this time on a slant route that turned into a 28-yard score. Then, on the next possession, he hit Moore for his third touchdown of the half. In 18 minutes and 30 seconds, Texas turned a four-point lead into a 22-point cushion. They scored 28 unanswered points. Arkansas never recovered.The Play That Broke the Internet
The highlight? It came from a trick play so bizarre, even the broadcasters missed it at first. With Texas in a wildcat formation, backup QB Parker Livingstone took a handoff, ran left, then flipped the ball backward to Manning—who was lined up as a receiver. Manning caught it mid-stride, twisted in midair, and leaped over two defenders for a 54-yard touchdown. The stadium went nuclear. Social media exploded. The NCAA’s official highlight reel now calls it “the most improbable TD of the 2025 season.” Manning finished with 389 passing yards, 48 rushing yards, and six total touchdowns—the most by a Texas quarterback since Vince Young in 2005. He didn’t throw an interception. He didn’t fumble. He didn’t even take a sack.Defense Steps Up When It Mattered
For all the offense, the real game-changer came from the defense. On Arkansas’ next drive after Manning’s third touchdown, Colin Simmons stripped the ball from quarterback Taylen Green. The ball bounced toward the sideline—where Liona Lefau scooped it up and sprinted 52 yards for a touchdown. (Some sources say 48; the official stat sheet says 52.) The play marked Texas’ first defensive TD of the season. Lefau, grinning, flipped the ball into Bevo’s pen. The Longhorns’ 1,200-pound mascot startled so badly, he kicked over his water trough. The crowd roared. Simmons’ sack wasn’t just a stat—it was his 10th of the season, the most by a Texas player since Jackson Jeffcoat and Cedric Reed both hit double digits in 2013. The defense forced three turnovers, held Arkansas to 37 points (their highest of the season), and kept the Razorbacks out of the end zone after halftime.What This Means for the Playoff Picture
Texas entered the game at 7-3, ranked 17th in the AP Poll and 18th in the Coaches Poll. After this win, they’re 8-3. Their record against SEC West opponents? 2-1. Their total offense? 490 yards. Their scoring against an SEC West team? The highest of the 2025 season. The College Football Playoff selection committee meets December 7–8. Texas’ resume now includes wins over Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas—with a signature performance against a team that had won two of its last three games before Saturday. They’re not out of the woods. But they’re in the conversation. “Arch showed maturity beyond his years today,” said offensive coordinator Jeff Traylor. “We designed some trick plays that showcased his versatility, and he executed them perfectly.” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman didn’t make excuses. “We had opportunities to make plays,” he said. “But Manning is a special player who made special plays when it mattered most.”
What’s Next? The Red River Showdown Awaits
Texas now turns to the most storied rivalry in the Big 12: the Red River Showdown against the Oklahoma Sooners on November 29, 2025, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The Longhorns have won 19 of their last 20 home games—and they’re 8-0 in Austin this season. But Dallas is a different beast. The Sooners are 7-4, hungry for revenge after losing 34-31 in Austin last year. If Texas wins, their playoff case becomes undeniable. If they lose? They’ll need help from other conference title games and a lot of committee mercy.A Rivalry That Never Fades
The Texas-Arkansas series dates back to February 15, 1894—the same year Grover Cleveland was president and the Wright brothers were still tinkering with bicycles. Saturday’s win extended Texas’ all-time lead to 58-23. The Razorbacks haven’t beaten the Longhorns since 2007. And yet, every time they meet, it feels like a classic. The crowd of 102,361? The largest at Darrell K Royal since 2022. The atmosphere? Electric. The performance? Historic. “Arch Manning rewrote the record books,” read the official Texas Athletics press release. And maybe—just maybe—he rewrote the playoff landscape too.Frequently Asked Questions
How many touchdowns did Arch Manning account for in the game?
Arch Manning accounted for six total touchdowns: four passing, one rushing, and one receiving. He threw for 389 yards and added 48 rushing yards. His six-touchdown performance is the most by a Texas quarterback since Vince Young’s 2005 season and ties for the most in a single game in the program’s modern era.
Why is this game important for Texas’ College Football Playoff chances?
Texas improved to 8-3 with a signature win over an SEC opponent, scoring their highest points against a West Division team in 2025. The committee values strength of schedule and impressive wins—this performance, especially in the second half, gives them a compelling argument. A win over Oklahoma next week could lock them in.
What was the significance of Liona Lefau’s fumble return?
Liona Lefau’s 52-yard fumble return was Texas’ first defensive touchdown of the 2025 season. It came at a critical moment—after Arkansas had cut the lead to 31-20—and shifted momentum entirely. The play also marked the first time a Longhorn had returned a fumble for a TD since 2021, and it was the longest defensive score of the season for any SEC team.
How does Arch Manning’s performance compare to past Texas QBs?
Manning’s six-touchdown game ties him with Colt McCoy (2009) and Vince Young (2005) for the most in a single game in Texas history. His 389 passing yards are his career best. Unlike Young or McCoy, Manning did it while operating a more diverse offense—running, passing, and even catching a touchdown. He’s become the first Texas QB to throw for four TDs, rush for one, and catch one in the same game.
What’s the history between Texas and Arkansas in football?
The rivalry dates back to February 15, 1894, making it one of the oldest in college football. Texas leads the all-time series 58-23, with Arkansas’ last win coming in 2007. The two teams met annually from 1971 to 2011, then resumed play in 2022 after Arkansas joined the SEC. Saturday’s win extended Texas’ current winning streak to six games against the Razorbacks.
What’s next for Texas after the Arkansas game?
Texas faces Oklahoma in the annual Red River Showdown on November 29, 2025, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. A win would give them a 9-3 record and likely vault them into the top 4 of the playoff rankings. A loss would leave them at 8-4, needing other results to go their way. Either way, their offensive firepower—led by Arch Manning—will be front and center in the committee’s final deliberations on December 7–8.
