Arch Manning recorded the first receiving touchdown of his college career on Saturday as No. 17 Texas defeated Arkansas 52-37. Manning’s reception came on a trick play that also produced one of six total touchdowns he was responsible for in the game. He finished with 389 passing yards and four aerial touchdowns while adding a rushing TD in the second half. The Longhorns piled up nearly 500 yards of offense in the victory and improved to 8-3 heading into their regular-season finale against No. 3 Texas A&M.
Key takeaways
- Final score: Texas 52, Arkansas 37 — Texas gained nearly 500 yards of total offense in the game.
- Arch Manning accounted for six scores: four passing TDs, one rushing TD, and his first collegiate receiving TD.
- Manning completed 18 of 30 passes for 389 yards and four passing touchdowns.
- DeAndre Moore Jr. caught three touchdowns on three receptions, accounting for three of Texas’ receiving scores.
- The receiving TD came on a trick play: Manning caught a pass from WR Parker Livingstone after a jet-sweep sequence and a snap handoff.
- The win moved Texas to 8-3 ahead of their final regular-season game against No. 3 Texas A&M.
- Texas’ 52 points are the most it has scored against Arkansas since posting 54 points in the teams’ first meeting in 1894.
Background
The matchup continued a renewed rivalry between long-time Southwest Conference foes who now meet in the SEC. Texas and Arkansas played regularly from 1932 through 1991, then met infrequently until Texas joined the SEC; Saturday was their second meeting as SEC members. The game carried implications for Texas’ momentum and national perception, even if the Longhorns’ path to the College Football Playoff remains difficult.
Arch Manning entered the season as a high-profile starter with significant expectations; this game represented one of his most productive statistical outings, combining a high-volume passing performance with two additional scoring methods. Arkansas’ defense, which has struggled at times this season, yielded substantial yardage and multiple explosive plays to Texas’ offense. The result underscored both Texas’ offensive versatility and Arkansas’ ongoing defensive concerns.
Main event
The signature receiving score occurred in the first half on a planned trick sequence. After taking the snap and participating in a jet-sweep handoff sequence, Manning relocated to the right side of the formation and was left uncovered in the end zone. Wide receiver Parker Livingstone delivered the pass to Manning for his first collegiate catch and first receiving touchdown, giving Texas a 14-6 lead.
On the following Texas drive Manning connected with Livingstone again, this time for a 54-yard touchdown that extended the Longhorns’ lead to 21-13. Manning continued to push the offense through the air, completing 18 of 30 attempts for 389 yards and four passing touchdowns, while Arkansas tried multiple adjustments that nevertheless failed to slow Texas’ passing game.
Early in the second half Manning added a rushing touchdown that increased Texas’ advantage to 31-20, wrapping up his trio of scoring methods in the same contest. DeAndre Moore Jr. made the most of limited opportunities, finishing with three catches and three touchdowns, each an efficient red-zone or chunk-yardage play that kept Arkansas playing catch-up.
Analysis & implications
Manning’s six-score performance is notable both for its rarity and for how it illustrates Texas’ offensive design flexibility. A quarterback who can contribute via passing, rushing and—even on a special play—receiving, forces defenses to account for a wider set of possibilities on every snap. Coaches preparing for Texas will need to emphasize assignment discipline and versatile defensive personnel to limit similar gadget plays and mismatches.
Statistically, Texas’ nearly 500 yards of offense in this game reinforce the program’s ability to generate explosive plays. Manning’s 389 passing yards and multiple big completions showed connection with his top targets and the offensive line’s pass protection in key moments. For Arkansas, the game highlighted persistent defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in containing deep throws and preventing seam/uncovered targets on misdirection plays.
In standings and postseason terms, the victory improves Texas to 8-3 but does not by itself secure a College Football Playoff berth. With multiple one- and two-loss teams ahead in the ranking pecking order, Texas still faces a steep climb even if it defeats undefeated No. 3 Texas A&M in the regular-season finale. The game does, however, supply momentum and a clearer picture of the Longhorns’ strengths heading into the season’s last week.
Comparison & data
| Metric | Saturday game | Notable historical mark |
|---|---|---|
| Texas points vs Arkansas | 52 | Most since 54 in teams’ first meeting (1894) |
| Manning passing | 18-for-30, 389 yards, 4 TDs | — |
| Team total offense | Nearly 500 yards | — |
| DeAndre Moore Jr. | 3 catches, 3 TDs | — |
The table places the offensive output in historical perspective: while Texas has scored more points against Arkansas once in program history (54 in 1894), the 52-point output on Saturday is the program’s largest against the Razorbacks in well over a century. The box-score figures underline how one player’s efficiency—Manning’s passing plus Moore’s perfect touchdown conversion rate on three catches—can translate into a high-scoring team performance.
Reactions & quotes
Manning finished 18 of 30 for 389 yards and four passing touchdowns in the victory.
Yahoo Sports (game recap)
DeAndre Moore Jr. accounted for three receiving touchdowns on three catches.
Yahoo Sports (game recap)
The win moved Texas to 8-3 heading into the regular-season finale against No. 3 Texas A&M.
Yahoo Sports (game recap)
Unconfirmed
- Specific College Football Playoff scenarios for Texas depend on outcomes of several other games and conference tiebreakers that were not finalized at the time of this report.
- Any postgame coach or player statements beyond the game recap cited here were not independently confirmed for this article.
Bottom line
Arch Manning’s first collegiate receiving touchdown is the headline moment of a performance that showcased his multi-dimensional impact: four passing TDs, a rushing TD, and a receiving TD in the same game. The 52-37 victory over Arkansas demonstrated Texas’ offensive firepower and offered a blueprint for how the Longhorns might challenge top defenses late this season.
Despite the win and improved 8-3 record, Texas’ path to the College Football Playoff remains uncertain and hinges on outcomes elsewhere. The upcoming matchup with No. 3 Texas A&M will carry outsized importance for perception and momentum, even if playoff qualification appears unlikely without favorable results from other teams.