Arch Manning Injury Concerns CFB Fans After QB Silenced Critics in Texas' Win vs. MSST

Arch Manning silenced critics as the Texas Longhorns pulled off a thrilling overtime victory against the Mississippi State Bulldogs 45–38 on the road Saturday.

However, Manning's performance was marred by a late injury suffered in overtime as he took a hard hit before his helmet slammed to the turf and he did not return.

After the game, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters he did not have an update on Manning's injury.

Manning led the charge on Saturday, throwing for 346 yards and three touchdowns on 29-of-46 passing while adding a rushing touchdown. Emmett Mosley V and Parker Livingstone each scored twice to power the Longhorns' comeback win.

The sophomore quarterback led a huge fourth-quarter comeback to set up backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell, who stepped in after Manning went down on the first play of overtime following a hard hit to the turf.

Caldwell tossed the game-winning touchdown.

The win improves Texas to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in SEC play, giving fans a reason to celebrate amid the Longhorns' challenging season. 

Manning drew widespread praise for engineering a comeback and setting up the Longhorns' overtime victory, despite leaving the game with an injury.

Texas opened the game with a quick two-play scoring drive to take a 7-0 lead, before allowing a Mississippi State touchdown to end the first tied at seven. 

Both teams traded touchdowns early in the second, but the Longhorns stalled afterward, suffering back-to-back turnovers on downs and an interception before a three-and-out. They entered halftime trailing 24-14.

Texas was shut out in the third quarter on all three possessions, while Mississippi State extended its lead to 31-14 with another touchdown.

Mississippi's defense faltered in the fourth quarter, allowing Texas two touchdowns—including a punt return and a field goal—to tie the game at 38 and send it into overtime.

Manning exited after a hard fall on a 13-yard rush on the first play of overtime, and backup Caldwell stepped in, throwing the game-winning touchdown to secure a 45–38 victory for Texas.

Texas will host No. 10 Vanderbilt next Saturday.