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Although not pretty, No. 17 Texas was able to get the job done on Saturday in Austin, Texas.
Despite a second-half comeback attempt by No. 7-ranked Mississippi, the Longhorns were able to stave off the Rebels in a gritty 34-27 win.
The game proved crucial for quarterback Arch Manning, whose shaky junior season put his starting job in jeopardy, with backup KJ Lacey receiving more reps with the first-team offense this week.
Ahead of Saturday, Manning had thrown for just 1,295 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Under the pressure, Texas’ offense jumped out to a hot start on Saturday, scoring 21 unanswered points to the tune of a 24-3 lead headed into halftime.
Despite the lopsided start, Ole Miss wasted no time coming back in the second half, scoring two touchdowns in the third to put the game within a possession.
Then to open up the fourth, Rebels QB Trinidad Chambliss found wideout Horatio Fields for a 27-yard touchdown to tie the game at 24.
Manning threw an interception on the next drive, but the Texas defense was able to finally stop the Rebels to keep the game tied.
Texas then reclaimed the lead thanks to a rushing touchdown from Manning, his second of the night.
After a missed field goal from Ole Miss, the Longhorns kicked a 33-yarder to put them up two scores.
The Rebels made it interesting in the game’s final moments, with their offense kicking a field goal and recovering the onside kick to march down the field with a chance to tie the game.
Texas, however, ultimately picked off Chambliss’ Hail Mary attempt to end the game, giving the Longhorns their fifth win of the year.
Manning, 22, threw for 212 yards with two rushing touchdowns, a passing TD and two interceptions on 18 of 30 passing, a performance that will likely buy him another week starting for Texas.
Junior Longhorns wideout Ryan Wingo led all receivers with 111 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.
On the ground for Texas, running back Raleek Brown led the game 157 rushing yards on 23 carries, and Michael Terry III punched in a rushing touchdown in the first half.
Texas is set to face off against Mississippi State in its next game, playing the Bulldogs at home on Oct. 31.