No. 3 Texas advanced to the Southeastern Conference title game with a decisive 17-7 victory over their long-time rival, No. 20 Texas A&M. Quintrevion Wisner’s impressive performance, rushing for a career-high 186 yards, combined with Quinn Ewers’ touchdown pass, propelled the Longhorns to this significant win on Saturday night.
With an impressive record of 11-1 (7-1 SEC, No. 3 CFP), Texas is set to face No. 6 Georgia next Saturday in Atlanta. The stakes are high, as the winner will secure a first-round bye in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
The return of this historic rivalry, which dates back to the 1890s, drew significant attention, reminiscent of a heavyweight boxing match. Texas appeared to be in control, taking a commanding 17-0 lead at halftime.
However, the game took a turn when Ewers committed turnovers in the red zone during consecutive drives, the first leading to an interception by Will Lee III, who returned it 93 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the score to 17-7.
Texas A&M (8-4, 5-3, No. 20 CFP) had a chance to narrow the gap even further late in the game. With just over four minutes left, they faced a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line. However, Ethan Burke’s tackle of Amari Daniels for a three-yard loss preserved the Longhorns’ lead, showcasing their defensive strength by stopping the Aggies on three fourth downs throughout the match.
Backup quarterback Arch Manning contributed to the victory with a touchdown run early in the game, helping Texas secure their 11th consecutive win on an opponent’s field and their fifth straight win overall since a previous loss to Georgia.
The atmosphere at the game was electric, with a crowd of 109,028 that included notable figures such as Texas superfan Matthew McConaughey and former A&M Heisman winner Johnny Manziel.
Matthew McConaughey witnessed the Longhorns take on the Aggies for the first time since 2011. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
DJ Hicks played a pivotal role in the Aggies’ defensive effort, tipping a pass that led to Lee’s interception. This defensive play not only cut the Longhorns’ lead but also injected new life into Texas A&M’s hopes.
The Aggies continued to pressure Texas when Cashius Howell stripped the ball from Ewers, leading to a recovery by Taurean York at the Texas A&M 11-yard line. Despite this opportunity, Texas A&M was unable to capitalize and ultimately punted the ball away.
Texas A&M’s defense also made a mark by blocking a Longhorns punt, giving them another chance in the red zone. Nevertheless, the Longhorns’ defense held firm, preventing any points after halftime.
The Longhorns struck first, with Manning’s 15-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-2 confirmed after a video review. This play capped a 93-yard drive initiated by Michael Taaffe’s interception, marking Texas’s 20th consecutive game with a takeaway.
Ewers later connected with Jaydon Blue for a 7-yard touchdown, increasing the lead to 14-0. This score was initially ruled incomplete but was overturned upon review, showing that Blue had indeed secured the catch in bounds.
The excitement surrounding Kyle Field before the game was notable, featuring former A&M coach R.C. Slocum using a miniature chainsaw to create a spectacle for tailgaters. Reports indicated that a man riding a horse, along with another person on a longhorn, caused a stir and were asked to leave campus prior to kickoff.
Additionally, two men attempting to enter the stadium with fake construction credentials were arrested for criminal trespass, adding a layer of unexpected drama to the day.
The takeaway
Up next
Texas will now prepare to face the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship. Meanwhile, the Aggies are left to await their bowl game assignment, marking another challenging season for the team.
