Texas Shocks Aggies with Late Push from Manning to Conclude Perfect Streak

In a riveting encounter, Texas brought Texas A&M’s perfect season to an end with a 27-17 victory on Friday night, thanks to two critical late touchdowns from Arch Manning. The game was closely contested until Manning threw a 29-yard touchdown to Ryan Wingo in the third quarter. A decisive 35-yard sprint in the fourth quarter ultimately secured the win, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

With this triumph, Texas improved to 9-3, reviving their slim playoff ambitions. After starting the season at the top of rankings, the team had fallen out midseason but has since garnered three wins over top-10 teams. Coach Steve Sarkisian asserted that their challenging schedule, including an initial clash with Ohio State, should bolster Texas’ playoff argument.

Texas A&M entered the field boasting an unbeaten record at 11-0, needing a win to progress to the SEC championship game for the first time since joining the league in 2012. However, the Aggies faltered in the second half, unable to rebound from consecutive interceptions by quarterback Marcel Reed, formerly a Heisman contender.

The Aggies held a 10-3 lead at halftime, but Texas surged ahead with 17 consecutive points. Though A&M narrowed the gap to 20-17, Manning’s lengthy run on third down dashed hopes for another comeback. He completed nine of his final twelve attempts for 151 yards, distributing the ball across six different receivers.

Additionally, Texas showcased a long-absent rushing attack, highlighted by Quintrevion Wiser, who amassed a season-high 155 rushing yards. A&M’s offense struggled to find its footing after Reed briefly exited due to an ankle injury.

As both teams await the College Football Playoff rankings on December 7, Texas aims for a favorable bowl position while asserting their rightful place among the top twelve. Despite the loss, A&M is still poised for playoff contention, although this defeat will be a painful reminder in the rivalry.