The Mississippi State vs Texas matchup ended in a dominant 31-3 victory for the No. 11 Texas Longhorns on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Texas quarterback Arch Manning threw three touchdown passes, while the Longhorns’ defense delivered another impressive performance to secure an important SEC victory.
The Texas vs Mississippi State game was particularly difficult for the Bulldogs, who suffered their fourth consecutive defeat after beginning the season with a 4-0 record. Mississippi State also lost another quarterback to injury, as starter AJ Swann exited before halftime following a strip sack that resulted in a defensive touchdown for Texas.
With the victory, Texas improved to 6-2 overall and remained in contention in the SEC title race. Mississippi State dropped to 4-4 and now faces additional questions about its quarterback situation heading into the final stretch of the season.
Mississippi State vs Texas Final Score
Texas controlled the game defensively and gradually extended its advantage to secure a comfortable 28-point victory.
| Team | Final Score |
|---|---|
| Mississippi State Bulldogs | 3 |
| No. 11 Texas Longhorns | 31 |
- Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Location: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
- Attendance: 103,586
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Texas Record: 6-2
- Mississippi State Record: 4-4
The Longhorns scored early through Arch Manning and maintained control with a combination of defensive pressure and timely offensive plays.
Arch Manning Throws Three Touchdowns in Texas Victory
Arch Manning delivered an efficient performance for the Longhorns, throwing three touchdown passes against Mississippi State.
Texas opened the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown connection between Manning and wide receiver Cam Coleman. The play came after Manning had connected with Coleman on a 47-yard completion earlier in the opening drive.
Texas took a 7-0 lead and continued putting pressure on the Bulldogs’ defense.
After Gianni Spetic converted a 45-yard field goal in the second quarter, the Longhorns received another major contribution from their defense.
Manning later connected with Raleek Brown for a four-yard touchdown in the third quarter before finding Emmett Mosley V for a 42-yard scoring play in the fourth.
His three touchdown passes helped Texas turn a competitive defensive contest into a convincing 31-3 victory.
AJ Swann Injury: Mississippi State Suffers Another Quarterback Setback
One of the biggest talking points from the Mississippi State vs Texas game was the injury to quarterback AJ Swann.
Swann received the starting assignment after Mississippi State lost quarterback Kamario Taylor for the remainder of the season because of a foot injury that required surgery.
Swann initially provided some stability to the Bulldogs’ offense. He completed his first eight passes and finished with 12 completions on 15 attempts before leaving the game.
However, a crucial play shortly before halftime changed the direction of the contest.
Texas linebacker Rasheem Biles pressured Swann, forcing a fumble. Defensive tackle Maraad Watson recovered the loose ball and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown.
Swann suffered an injury on the play after landing on his left shoulder and did not return. He spent the second half on the sideline with his right arm in a sling, according to the Associated Press report.
Billy Puckett replaced him and handled the remainder of the game.
The injury created another major concern for Mississippi State, which was already without its original starting quarterback, Kamario Taylor.
Maraad Watson’s 61-Yard Defensive Touchdown Changes the Game
Maraad Watson delivered one of the most memorable plays of the night.
With Mississippi State attempting to get back into the game before halftime, Watson recovered the fumble forced by Biles and ran 61 yards into the end zone.
The defensive touchdown extended Texas’ lead to 17-0 with just over a minute remaining in the first half.
Watson, a 6-foot-3 defensive tackle weighing 333 pounds, received assistance from teammates who helped clear his path toward the end zone.
The play was particularly damaging for Mississippi State because it not only gave Texas another touchdown but also resulted in an injury to starting quarterback AJ Swann.
Texas Defense Delivers Another Strong Performance
Texas’ defense played a major role in the victory, limiting Mississippi State to just three points.
The Longhorns pressured the Bulldogs’ quarterbacks throughout the contest and recorded six sacks on Arch Manning’s opponent’s offensive side? More importantly, the defense disrupted Mississippi State’s ability to establish a consistent passing and running game.
Linebacker Rasheem Biles was among the standout performers.
The transfer from Pitt recorded:
- Eight total tackles.
- Three sacks.
- Two forced fumbles.
Biles’ pressure on Swann directly contributed to Watson’s defensive touchdown.
Texas has been dealing with injuries of its own, including the absence of sack leader Colin Simmons. Nevertheless, the defense continued to produce important plays.
Mississippi State vs Texas Match Player Stats
The available game report highlighted several important individual performances from both teams.
| Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Arch Manning | Texas | 3 passing touchdowns |
| Cam Coleman | Texas | 1 receiving touchdown |
| Raleek Brown | Texas | 1 receiving touchdown |
| Emmett Mosley V | Texas | 42-yard touchdown reception |
| Maraad Watson | Texas | 61-yard fumble-return touchdown |
| Rasheem Biles | Texas | 8 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles |
| AJ Swann | Mississippi State | 12-of-15 passing before injury |
| Kyle Ferrie | Mississippi State | 30-yard field goal |
These Mississippi State Bulldogs football vs Texas Longhorns football match player stats highlight how Texas produced important contributions on both sides of the ball.
Arch Manning led the scoring through the air, while Watson and Biles provided the defensive plays that helped determine the outcome.
How the Game Unfolded: Quarter-by-Quarter Score
First Quarter: Texas 7, Mississippi State 0
Texas struck early when Manning connected with Cam Coleman for a 14-yard touchdown. Mississippi State moved the ball on its opening possession but could not turn the opportunity into points.
Second Quarter: Texas 17, Mississippi State 0
Gianni Spetic converted a 45-yard field goal to make it 10-0. The biggest moment arrived late in the half when Watson returned Swann’s fumble 61 yards for a touchdown.
Third Quarter: Texas 24, Mississippi State 3
Mississippi State finally got on the scoreboard through Kyle Ferrie’s 30-yard field goal. Texas responded with Manning’s four-yard touchdown pass to Raleek Brown.
Fourth Quarter: Texas 31, Mississippi State 3
Manning connected with Emmett Mosley V for a 42-yard touchdown to complete the scoring and seal the Longhorns’ 31-3 victory.
What Happened to AJ Swann and Kamario Taylor?
Mississippi State’s quarterback situation became one of the biggest concerns following the defeat.
Kamario Taylor, who had been a breakout player earlier in the season, underwent season-ending foot surgery on October 28.
AJ Swann stepped into the starting role against Texas but was forced out after the first-half fumble and subsequent injury.
Billy Puckett took over for the remainder of the contest. The Bulldogs also had Jaden Rashada available as another quarterback option.
The team will need to assess Swann’s condition before its next game against Vanderbilt.
Texas vs Mississippi State: What Comes Next?
Texas and Mississippi State now turn their attention to the remaining SEC schedule.
Mississippi State’s upcoming games:
- November 7: Vanderbilt
- November 14: Auburn
- November 21: Tennessee Tech
- November 27: Ole Miss
Texas’ upcoming game:
- November 7: At Missouri
The Bulldogs will be looking to end their four-game losing streak, but their chances could depend heavily on the availability of Swann and running back Fluff Bothwell.
Bothwell left the Texas game with an injury early in the fourth quarter. Starting left tackle Miles McVay also exited later in the game with an apparent upper-body injury.
Texas, meanwhile, will look to carry its defensive momentum into the road matchup against Missouri.
Mississippi State vs Texas Prediction: Longhorns Deliver as Expected
The pregame prediction favored Texas to win 40-17, but the actual result was even more convincing defensively.
The Longhorns won 31-3, limiting Mississippi State to a single field goal.
Texas did not have a perfect offensive performance, particularly with its running game and pass protection, but Manning’s three touchdown passes and the defense’s ability to create turnovers proved decisive.
For Mississippi State, the quarterback injuries and continued offensive struggles remain major concerns.
Final Thoughts
The Mississippi State vs Texas matchup ended with a convincing 31-3 victory for the No. 11 Longhorns. Arch Manning threw three touchdown passes, Maraad Watson scored on a 61-yard fumble return, and Rasheem Biles led a disruptive defensive performance.
For Mississippi State, the defeat was another setback in a difficult stretch. The Bulldogs have now lost four consecutive games and face uncertainty at quarterback following AJ Swann’s injury.
Texas will look to build on its second consecutive victory as it continues its push in the SEC race.
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