Texas Maintains Lead Despite Struggles: Live In-Game Updates

The Longhorns enter the SEC as the No. 1 team in the nation.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) and receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) celebrate a touchdown by Manning during the game against UTSA at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. / Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

AUSTIN --In July 2021, the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners were announced to move from the Big 12 to the Southeastern Conference. After three years of excitement, the day has come.

If a Texas fan back then heard their Horns would be going into the league as the top-ranked team in the nation, no one would believe it, but here they are. No. 1 Texas (4-0) is just minutes away from hosting Mississippi State (1-3) at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium.

With first-string quarterback Quinn Ewers out for the game, the pressure will be on redshirt freshman Arch Manning to take on the Bulldogs and secure the first SEC win for the Longhorns.

"Offensively they've got this incredible amount of skill, they're playing really good (football) up front," Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby said. "Regardless of who the QB is going to be, both those guys have the ability to run the offense the way Sark wants them to and then they're very very aggressive from a team standpoint, so again it's a football team that's playing as a good as anybody in the country."

Though each game in the Southeastern Conference is meaningful, Sarkisian and the Horns are approaching this opener as usual.

"Business as usual," Sarkisian said. "We believe in our formula for success and what that looks like. We respect this is our first SEC game at home and we're going to embrace that side of it, but that's not going to affect the way we prepare for the game."

Follow along for live updates:

Mississippi State starts with the ball.

FIRST QUARTER:

Mississippi State's first drive ended scoreless after seven minutes. Texas defense stood tall at kick off.

change of possession

DeAndre Moore crosses the end zone but the touchdown doesn't count.

TOUCHDOWN TEXAS: Jaydon Blue makes the 1-yard rush touchdown. Bert Auburn makes his first SEC kick and it's good.

Texas 7, Mississippi State 0

change of possession

The Longhorn defense deflects a throw from true freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. Three and out.

change of possession

Jaydon Blue fumbles on the third down and Mississippi State recovers it on the -21.

change of possession

First down Mississippi State as Arkansas State transfer Seydou Traore picks up 15 yards.

END OF FIRST QUARTER

SECOND QUARTER

Texas gets the ball back after a Van Buren incomplete pass on the 20.

change of possession

The Longhorns are forced to a 22 yard punt.

change of possession

Incomplete pass for the Bulldogs, big recovery for Texas safety Michael Taaffe.

FIELD GOAL: Kyle Ferrie puts Mississippi State on the board with a 45-yarder.

Texas 7, Mississippi State 3

change of possession

Arch Manning throws to Johntay Cook II but Cook drops it.

change of possession

False start and five yard penalty for Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs make it to the red zone.

FIELD GOAL: Ferrie makes it a one point game.

Texas 7, Mississippi State 6

change of possession

TOUCHDOWN TEXAS: DeAndre Moore gets a good one from Arch Manning.

OH MY 😱@ArchManning ➡️ @DeandreMooreJr pic.twitter.com/Suem9u2HkX

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 28, 2024

Texas 14, Mississippi State 6

change of possession

END OF FIRST HALF

Texas to receive second half kickoff.

Jaydon Blue loses the ball, Mississippi State catches.

change of possession

The Bulldogs can't hold the ball for long as Texas recovers.

change of possession

FIELD GOAL: Bert Auburn adds three for Texas.

Texas 17, Mississippi State 6

Steve Sarkisian chooses to take out the points and bring the offense back to the field.

Texas 14, Mississippi State 6

TURNOVER: Mississippi State tells Sarkisian he made the wrong choice.

change of possession

SACK: Collin Simmons sacks to return the ball to the Horns.

change of possession

Arch Manning is out of bounds in the one-yard line.

After a lengthy review, out of bounds call stands.

TOUCHDOWN TEXAS: Tre Wisner extends the lead.

Texas 20, Mississippi State 6

Call reversed for second and goal.

Texas 14, Mississippi State 6

TOUCHDOWN TEXAS: Manning gets the six points...for real this time.

Texas 21, Mississippi State 6

change of possession

END OF THIRD

FOURTH QUARTER

Texas regains posession.

change in possession

Tre Wisner goes on a 36-yard run.

Wisner finds the end zone but is flagged.

TOUCHDOWN TEXAS: Another one for DeAndre Moore Jr.

Texas 28, Mississippi State 6

change of possession

TOUCHDOWN MISSISSIPPI ST: Freshman quarterback Van Buren gets his first for the Bulldogs.

Texas 28, Mississippi State 13

change of possession