Arch Manning leads Texas to 22-21 win, Ending LSU Playoff Hopes

Arch Manning delivered a 4-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Raleek Brown with three seconds remaining on Saturday lifting No. 8 Texas past No. 24 LSU 22-21 in Death Valley.

Manning Leads Texas Drive to Secure Victory at Death Valley

Texas began its final drive at its own 42-yard line with 2:19 left on the clock, trailing 21-16. Manning converted three third downs during the 12-play, 58-yard march, leaning on his legs and quick throws to set up the decisive score. The victory kept the Longhorns at 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the SEC, preserving their position for the College Football Playoff.

“That’s what it’s all about: Death Valley at night, two-minute drive, let’s go,” Manning said after the game, according to ESPN.

For LSU, the defeat ended any realistic playoff aspirations, dropping the Tigers to 6-4 overall and 3-4 in conference play. The Tigers’ offense stalled completely in the final period, punting on four consecutive drives.

Manning Continues Family Tradition in Baton Rouge

Manning joined a storied family tradition in Baton Rouge. His grandfather Archie Manning led Mississippi to a comeback victory at Tiger Stadium in 1968, and his uncle Eli Manning repeated the feat in 2001. Playing in his home state where he attended games as a child, the senior quarterback finished 19-of-35 passing for 174 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions while also rushing for an early score.

“I was pointing out to some of my teammates where I sat at these games growing up. So just coming back home, getting it done in the last few seconds, it’s a memory I’ll have for the rest of my life,” Manning told NBC Sports.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian praised his quarterback’s resilience after a night featuring multiple turnovers against a stout defense.

“He has a competitive spirit about him. It was hard and he is tough,” Sarkisian said, according to OutKick. “What a drive at the end of the game to shake all that off. He competed at a real high level tonight against a really good defense. … What a moment for him.”

Lane Kiffin Evaluates First Season Investment

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin faced heavy scrutiny following the loss regarding the university’s seven-year, $91 million commitment to him. The Tigers outgained Texas 366 to 273 yards, but three interceptions by quarterback Sam Leavitt and missed red-zone chances doomed the home side.

“Fair question, and I get it. Underperformance,” Kiffin said during his postgame media session, as reported by Yahoo Sports.

“It doesn’t matter if the game’s been close or they go down to the last whatever, six seconds. I’m brought here to win, and we need to win more than that,” Kiffin added.

USA Today said that LSU operated with a roster backed by an estimated $40 million in investment, making the finish to the 2026 campaign a bitter disappointment for Tiger supporters who watched a second game slip away in the closing minutes after a prior loss to Alabama.

Texas Defense Relies on Identity to Secure Stops

Texas linebacker Justin Cryer emphasized that the Longhorns relied on their established identity when the deficit mounted in the second half.

“When it’s called upon us to get a stop, whatever it looks like, we gotta go out there and do what we gotta do to get a stop,” Cryer said, according to The Athletic. “So there’s no groaning, complaining about it.”

“It’s how we’re built,” Cryer added. “Just the DNA of being Texas tough.”

Colin Simmons added eight tackles off the edge for a stout Texas defensive unit that also featured Rasheem Biles with two tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries, alongside Jelani McDonald patrolling the secondary with three interceptions.

As the final seconds ticked away, Arch Manning ran to embrace Steve Sarkisian while his parents, Cooper and Ellen, celebrated from the front row behind the end zone. Before heading down the tunnel, Manning found his father in the stands for an emotional embrace.

“My dad is really who I think about when stuff gets hard. I think about just digging deep, and he always tells me to just keep going,” Manning said.

“Also, everything isn’t built for the first year when you come in somewhere,” Kiffin said when discussing the broader outlook for his program’s development moving forward.