Watch: Arch Manning shreds Ole Miss with two first-half touchdowns, and almost a third

Arch Manning seems to have his swagger back. 

Texas football's quarterback entered Saturday night's game vs. Ole Miss with questions swirling regarding the status of his starting spot. That spot is now firmly Manning's, at least for another half after his superb first two quarters against the Rebels. 

Manning led the Longhorns to a 24-3 lead at halftime of the latest SEC contest at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Manning finished the first half with 171 passing yards, 30 rushing yards and two total touchdowns, tallying one score on the ground and one through the air. Texas' senior quarterback often pairs his supreme talent with poor decision-making. He wasn't error-free in the first half, tossing an interception on his second drive of the afternoon. Manning followed the turnover with perhaps his best football this season. 

Manning found the end zone on the ground for the first time this season with less than a minute remaining in the first quarter. Manning received a snap in the shotgun, ran right and plowed toward the end zone, then flashed an arms-folded celebration in front of the Austin crowd. 

ARCH‼️ Got right up in the camera on the TD 🎥 https://t.co/gY1RhARHvI

- ESPN (@espn) October 25, 2026

Manning's legs continued to impress in the second quarter. He converted a third-and-17 on the ground with a 19-yard run, a nifty scramble that preceded one of the best throws of his Texas career. Manning registered his lone touchdown pass of the first half early in the second quarter, a 50-yard touchdown to wide receiver Ryan Wingo. 

Manning was crushed on the throw. He still stood tall and delivered a strike, completing a deep shot to give Texas a 17-3 lead.

ARCH MANNING THE PRINCE THAT WAS PROMISED https://t.co/hVFesGGlQD

- Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 25, 2026

Earlier in the game, he almost connected on a deep throw but the pass went through wide receiver Cam Coleman's hands.

Cam Coleman drops a touchdown. Drops were a problem for him at Auburn. Looks a lot like the pass he dropped against Ohio State in Week 2. https://t.co/FwpNFGcwhO

- Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) October 25, 2026

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said his quarterback was "edgy" in practice this week after back-to-back subpar performances. Manning himself said he expected a bounce back vs. Ole Miss, claiming he plays his best football when dealing with adversity. Manning did just that in the first half vs. Ole Miss, giving Texas a three-touchdown lead in a de facto must-win game for the Longhorns' playoff hopes.

This article originally published at Watch: Arch Manning shreds Ole Miss with two first-half touchdowns, and almost a third.