Arch Manning’s 6-TD masterpiece lifts Texas to 52-37 win over Arkansas
When Arch Manning caught a touchdown pass from his own teammate, the crowd at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium didn’t just roar—they lost their minds. It wasn’t just a trick play. It was a statement. On November 22, 2025, the Texas Longhorns crushed the Arkansas Razorbacks 52-37 in front of 102,361 fans, and Manning didn’t just play quarterback—he rewrote the script of what’s possible in a single game. Six touchdowns. Four through the air. One on the ground. One… as a receiver. And all of it happened in the heart of Austin, where the Longhorns are now 8-3 and still clinging to playoff hopes with one game left.
History in the Making on the Forty Acres
Manning’s 389 passing yards weren’t just impressive—they were historic. He connected with DeAndre Moore Jr. for three touchdowns, turning the senior wideout into the most dangerous target in the SEC. But the play that had everyone replaying it on their phones? The reverse pass from Parker Livingstone that found Manning in the end zone, leaping over two defenders like he was auditioning for a Nike commercial. CBS Sports called it “one of the highlight plays of the season.” The Texas Longhorns athletics department called it “a rewrite of the record books.”And it wasn’t just Manning. The offense rolled for 490 total yards—393 of them through the air. Livingstone himself caught a 54-yard bomb that turned a third-and-long into a six-point swing. Texas scored touchdowns on each of their first three drives after halftime, turning a narrow 24-20 lead into a 45-23 blowout by the end of the third quarter. Moore Jr. caught two of those scores in back-to-back possessions. The Razorbacks? They had no answer.
Defensive Sparks and a Mascot-Startling Moment
While the offense stole the headlines, the defense didn’t sleep. Colin Simmons added his 10th sack of the season, matching Cedric Reed’s 2013 total for the most by a Longhorn in a single year since Jackson Jeffcoat’s 13 in 2013. But the real shocker came from Liona Lefau, who returned a fumble 52 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter—according to the official Texas athletics report. (CBS Sports said 48. The difference? A matter of where the ball was spotted. The result? Pure chaos.)Lefau didn’t just score—he celebrated like a kid at a birthday party. YouTube highlights show him flipping the ball into Bevo’s pen, startling the Longhorns’ legendary live mascot. Bevo, a 2,100-pound Angus bull who’s seen decades of games, took a step back. The crowd erupted. The moment went viral before the final whistle. It was the kind of play that doesn’t show up on stat sheets but lives forever in fan lore.
Arkansas’ Descent Continues
Arkansas entered the game 2-9, 0-7 in the SEC, and their ninth straight loss confirmed their worst season in over a decade. Quarterback Taylen Green threw for 287 yards and rushed for a touchdown, while running back Mike Washington added another score. But their offense stalled in the second half. Three possessions. Three punts. One turnover. One missed field goal. The Razorbacks were within four at halftime, but Texas’ second-half surge was like a tidal wave.“We knew we had to be perfect,” said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian afterward. “Arch was perfect. The offense was perfect. And when you’re perfect, you don’t need luck—you need a scoreboard.”
Playoff Hopes Still Alive
Texas’ win keeps them in the College Football Playoff conversation, though their path is narrow. They’re now 5-2 in the SEC and need to win their final game against Texas Tech—then hope for a few upsets in the final weekend. But with Manning playing like a Heisman frontrunner and the offense humming, the Longhorns aren’t just a team on the rise—they’re a force.At home, they’re untouchable. This was their 19th win in their last 20 games at Darrell K Royal. They’ve won eight straight at home. And now, with a 58-23 all-time series lead over Arkansas dating back to 1894, they’ve outlasted not just one team, but an entire era of college football.
What’s Next?
Texas closes the regular season against Texas Tech on November 29 in Lubbock. A win there likely locks them into a New Year’s Six bowl. A loss? They’ll be on the outside looking in. But Manning’s performance against Arkansas didn’t just keep their hopes alive—it made them louder than ever.Frequently Asked Questions
How does Arch Manning’s six-touchdown game rank in Texas Longhorns history?
Manning’s six total touchdowns are the most by a Texas quarterback in a single game since 1998, when Major Applewhite threw five TDs and ran for another. Only three Longhorns in program history have ever accounted for six or more touchdowns in one game. His performance tied him with Vince Young’s 2005 Fiesta Bowl and matched the most total TDs by any player in the FBS this season.
Why was Liona Lefau’s fumble return reported as both 48 and 52 yards?
The discrepancy stems from where the ball was spotted after the fumble. CBS Sports measured from the line of scrimmage, while Texas athletics used the official game clock’s replay system, which tracked the ball’s exact path from the point of recovery to the end zone. The 52-yard figure is the official record, as confirmed by the NCAA’s play-by-play database. The difference? A matter of measurement technique—not a mistake.
What does this win mean for Texas’ College Football Playoff chances?
Texas is currently ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll and No. 18 in the Coaches Poll. A win over Texas Tech next week would likely push them into the top 12, making them a strong candidate for the final four spots—if other contenders stumble. Their strength of schedule (fifth-toughest in the FBS) and dominant home record give them a significant edge in the committee’s eyes.
How does Arkansas’ nine-game losing streak compare historically?
This is Arkansas’ longest losing streak since 1993, when they dropped 10 straight. It’s their first winless SEC season since 2012. Coach Sam Pittman has now lost 13 of his last 14 conference games. The Razorbacks haven’t won a road game since October 2024, and their offense ranks 123rd out of 134 FBS teams in scoring. The program is in full rebuild mode.
What’s the significance of Arch Manning being a fourth-generation college quarterback?
Arch is the grandson of Peyton Manning, nephew of Eli Manning, and cousin of Cooper Manning. He’s the first in his family to play for Texas, breaking the Alabama-Mississippi circuit. His performance against Arkansas—especially the TD catch—has drawn comparisons to his uncles’ most iconic moments. Unlike them, he’s playing under the bright lights of the SEC with a national spotlight. His legacy isn’t just about family—it’s about forging his own path.
Why did Texas dominate the second half despite only leading by four at halftime?
Arkansas’ defense wore down. They’d played 10 games in 11 weeks with no bye, and their secondary was missing two starters due to injury. Texas’ offensive line, which had been inconsistent earlier in the season, finally held its ground. Manning’s rhythm improved as the game went on, and the Razorbacks couldn’t adjust to his play-action fakes and quick releases. By the third quarter, Arkansas’ defense was running on fumes.
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