Texas overcomes careless start to capture first SEC win

Dave Wilson, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 28, 2024, 09:33 PM ET

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Dave Wilson is a college football reporter. He previously operated at The Dallas Morning News, San Diego Union-Tribune and Las Vegas Sun.AUSTIN, Texas– No. 1 Texas got its very first SEC win behind the arm of Arch Manning, who assisted the Longhorns overcome a slow start and some self-inflicted obstacles to beat Mississippi State 35-13 on Saturday.Manning was 26-of-31 for 324 backyards and 2 touchdowns, and added 33 hurrying

backyards and another rating, in spite of Johntay Cook II dropping a wide-open goal pass that would’ve included another 62 passing yards in the second quarter. A week after tossing two interceptions in his first start versus UL Monroe, Manning said he felt more relaxed.”I believe last week I didn’t have as much enjoyable as I wanted to, “Manning said.” I think I had a bit more enjoyable today even though it was a little rocky.”It was rocky since running back Jaydon Blue lost 2 fumbles– one in the red zone– Cook dropped a touchdown and there were eight charges on the Texas offense. Coach Steve Sarkisian criticized himself for having his group kick a basket however then going all out on fourth down after a defensive penalty offered the Longhorns another possibility. Texas failed to transform, taking three points off the board.The Longhorns entered into halftime with a 14-6 lead as Mississippi State utilized a ground-heavy technique behind real freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. The Bulldogs ran 73 plays to Texas’62, however the Longhorns outgained them 522 backyards to 294. There were likewise 17 charges in the game, many with lengthy evaluations.”It was hard for the game to get a rhythm to it, “Sarkisian said.But he was pleased the Longhorns browsed this stretch of the season and Quinn Ewers’ injury to start 5-0.

It’s the 2nd straight season Texas has begun 5-0, marking just the 2nd time in the past 50 years the Longhorns have done it in back-to-back years. Texas has an off week coming up, followed by the Red River Competition in Dallas against Oklahoma, before Georgia concerns Austin the following week.Sarkisian stated the Longhorns revealed grace, and he was happy they had the ability to endure their first SEC obstacle while letting Ewers recuperate from a stretched oblique injury without having to rush him back.

“We need Quinn back due to the fact that he’s our quarterback and he’s our leader,”Sarkisian stated.” I believe that impacts the entire team and belief, but what I believe we learned and what Arch discovered here over the last 2 1/2 games is this group can count on him too

.”Manning stated he was all set for Ewers’return whenever that may be. “I believe Quinn’s proved himself,”Manning said.”I imply, he led us to the Sugar Bowl in 2015 and he’s played truly well this year, so this is his team. I

believe he’s going to come back and play really well, however I’ll be prepared

for when my number’s called if they require me. So we’re simply going to try and keep this thing rolling. “