AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Arch Manning passed for two touchdowns and ran for another score, and No. 1 Texas got another standout performance from its defense to earn the program's first Southeastern Conference victory, 35-13 over Mississippi State on Saturday. Manning was 26-of-31 passing for 324 yards in his second consecutive start in place of Quinn Ewers, who is still recovering from a strained abdomen.
Texas joined the SEC this season from the Big 12 and delivered a rugged, ragged and ultimately effective debut. Manning's 49-yard touchdown pass to Deondre Moore in the second quarter, and his 1-yard TD run in the third, opened up a tighter-than-expected matchup with the Bulldogs, who have lost four in a row. Manning set up his own touchdown with a 26-yard scramble near the goal line, and the touchdown made it 21-6 on the final play of the third quarter.
Another scoring strike to Moore early in the fourth essentially put the game away for the Longhorns (5-0, 1-0). Texas had cruised through its first four games and raced to an opening touchdown in five plays. But the Longhorns soon bogged down with a turnover, a dropped touchdown pass and a partially blocked punt.
Mississippi State (1-4, 0-2) had outgained Texas in total yards and pulled within 7-6 late in the first half on two field goals from Kyle Ferrie, until Manning stood in against a blitz and delivered a perfect strike to Moore just before he was hit. The Longhorns defense did not allow a touchdown until Mississippi Stat.