Texas Upsets Texas A&M 27–17, Ends Perfect Season/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ No. 16 Texas stunned previously undefeated No. 3 Texas A&M 27–17, dashing the Aggies’ SEC title hopes and playoff seeding. Arch Manning threw and ran for touchdowns in the second half to complete the upset. The win keeps Texas in the playoff conversation as they await final CFP rankings.
Texas vs. Texas A&M Rivalry Clash: Quick Looks
- Texas QB Arch Manning accounted for 2 TDs, including 35-yard run
- Longhorns score 17 unanswered points in dominant third quarter
- Texas A&M’s first loss ends SEC championship hopes
- Marcel Reed throws 2 fourth-quarter INTs in A&M’s collapse
- Texas improves to 9–3, potentially a historic 3-loss CFP team
- Aggies fall to 11–1 and await playoff selection fate
- Quintrevion Wisner rushes for 155 yards in breakout game
- Wingo’s leaping TD catch gives Texas third-quarter lead
- Manning completes 9 of final 12 passes for 151 yards
- Texas stuns top-10 opponent for third time this season
Deep Look: Texas Ends Texas A&M’s Perfect Run, 27–17, in Rivalry Showdown That Shakes CFP Picture
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – In a high-stakes Lone Star showdown, No. 16 Texas spoiled No. 3 Texas A&M’s undefeated season and shattered the Aggies’ hopes of an SEC Championship Game appearance with a 27–17 victory on Friday night.
With Arch Manning leading the way, the Longhorns stormed back from a halftime deficit and dominated the second half to secure a statement win that could reshape the College Football Playoff rankings.
Manning Makes His Mark
Manning, the highly watched sophomore quarterback, threw a crucial 29-yard touchdown to Ryan Wingo in the third quarter and followed it up with a 35-yard touchdown run on third down in the fourth. The electrifying scramble, which came with 7:04 left to play, gave Texas a 10-point lead and sealed the win.
“If you let us in, we can beat anyone,” Manning said postgame, making his case for Texas’ inclusion in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. “If you don’t think we’re one of the best 12 teams in the country, I don’t know what to tell you.”
Longhorns’ Second-Half Surge
Trailing 10–3 at halftime, the Longhorns took over with 17 unanswered points in the third quarter behind improved offensive execution and stifling defense.
- Manning completed 9 of his final 12 passes for 151 yards.
- His TD pass to Wingo was a daring lob when he could’ve run, but Wingo leaped in the back of the end zone to haul in the score.
- The touchdown put Texas up 13–10 and shifted momentum entirely.
The Longhorns’ running game, largely dormant all season, exploded behind Quintrevion Wisner, who rushed for a season-best 155 yards, taking pressure off Manning and controlling the clock.
Aggies Collapse Late
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed, a rising star and recent Heisman candidate, struggled under pressure in the final quarter.
- Reed threw two costly interceptions, one deep in Texas territory.
- The Aggies failed to score a touchdown in the final 20 minutes.
- After starting the third quarter strong, A&M’s offense sputtered with three consecutive punts.
Reed, who briefly exited in the first quarter with a rolled ankle but returned after one play, admitted postgame: “Their front played a lot harder than ours. They just had a better game plan in the second half.”
A Season-Defining Win for Texas
The Longhorns, who opened the season ranked No. 1 before slipping out of the rankings, are now 9–3 overall (6–2 SEC) and have beaten three top-10 teams this season.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian said the team should be rewarded for a tough schedule that included losses to No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Georgia.
“We are absolutely a playoff team,” Sarkisian said. “If we’re a 10–2 team right now, this isn’t even a discussion. We shouldn’t be penalized for scheduling Ohio State.”
Though no three-loss team has ever made the CFP, Texas now has a compelling résumé, especially with a marquee win over their biggest rival.
For Texas A&M, a Heartbreaker
The loss was a gut punch for the 11–1 Aggies (7–1 SEC), who were on track for their first appearance in the SEC title game since joining the conference in 2012.
Linebacker Taurean York summed it up simply: “Hurts a lot. But you’ve got to regroup and get ready for the playoffs.”
Despite the defeat, A&M is still expected to make the College Football Playoff, though they may fall out of the top four.
Reed’s Resilience Not Enough
After suffering an ankle scare early in the first quarter, Reed returned quickly and kept the Aggies afloat with key plays before the collapse. One of the Aggies’ early field goal attempts was blocked by Texas’ Ethan Burke, setting the tone for a night where momentum kept slipping away from the visitors.
What’s Next
- Texas A&M: Awaits final College Football Playoff rankings on Dec. 7.
- Texas: Waits for bowl placement and hopes for a CFP bid in what could be a historic three-loss playoff selection.
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