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Monday, December 1, 2025

The Resurgence of a Border War: Arch Manning’s Historic Performance Powers Texas Past Arkansas in SEC Classic

The storied and often bitter rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and the Arkansas Razorbacks was reignited in spectacular, high-scoring fashion on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

In a clash that lived up to its newly restored SEC billing, the No. 17 Texas Longhorns defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 52-37 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

The victory was a necessary tonic for the Longhorns after a disappointing loss the week prior, and it was engineered by the most complete, electrifying performance of quarterback Arch Manning‘s young career.

The texas arkansas game, broadcast live on ABC for fans diligently searching where to watch Texas Longhorns football vs Arkansas Razorbacks football and where to watch Arkansas Razorbacks football vs Texas Longhorns football, delivered on its promise of offensive firepower.

The Texas score of 52 points matched the most points Texas has scored in the rivalry since a 52-10 win in 2008, underscoring the explosive nature of the texas game.

This latest chapter in the texas vs arkansas football saga affirmed that while the rivalry cooled during years of conference separation, the deep-seated animosity and competitive spirit remain fiercely intact as the two teams settle into their new status as annual SEC rivals.

The Legend of Arch Manning: A Six-Touchdown Masterpiece

All eyes in the college football world were focused on Arch Manning, and the sophomore sensation delivered an outing that was nothing short of historic.

The texas longhorns game today saw Manning put up Arch Manning stats that placed him in elite company, becoming the first quarterback in the Southeastern Conference since Dak Prescott in 2014 to record a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in the same contest.

His final line included a career-high 389 passing yards with four passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, and a pivotal receiving touchdown, totaling six touchdowns accounted for.

The performance served as a definitive statement, transforming the narrative around the ut vs arkansas matchup from a simple SEC win into a landmark moment for the young quarterback.

The texas vs arkansas prediction favored the Longhorns, but the dominant fashion in which Manning took control was an unexpected development, showcasing his maturation under pressure, particularly following a tough loss against Georgia.

The Longhorns’ offense was a cohesive unit from the first snap. After the Arkansas Razorbacks took an early 3-0 lead on a field goal, Manning immediately countered.

He connected with DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 46-yard strike, igniting the home crowd and setting the stage for the shootout. The arkansas vs texas rivalry quickly devolved into a back-and-forth track meet in the first half, but Manning’s poise prevented the Razorbacks from ever taking a commanding lead.

The Defining Play: Parker Livingstone and the Quarterback Catch

While the Longhorns led 24-20 at the half, the defining sequence of the game came in the second quarter with a bold, brilliantly executed trick play that will live on in Texas game highlight reels.

With Texas driving, the ball was snapped to Manning, who pitched it to running back Ryan Wingo on an end-around. Wingo, in turn, pitched it to true freshman wide receiver Parker Livingstone. The receiver then uncorked a lofted, accurate four-yard pass to a twisting Arch Manning, who had sneaked into the end zone.

The play resulted in Arch Manning’s first career receiving touchdown and perfectly encapsulated the aggressive, high-risk, high-reward philosophy of the Longhorns’ offensive coordinator.

Parker Livingstone, a dynamic true freshman who has quickly developed a chemistry with Manning, not only threw the touchdown pass but also dominated as a receiver, hauling in two receptions for 104 yards, including a huge 54-yard touchdown pass from Manning in the third quarter.

Livingstone’s versatility and emergence as a top target underscore the depth of talent surrounding the Texas quarterback. This crucial trickery provided the momentum swing that the Longhorns needed to separate themselves from a resilient arkansas football squad.

The Arkansas Fight: Bobby Petrino’s Offensive Revival

For the Arkansas Razorbacks, the high texas score reflected both the prowess of Texas’s offense and the fundamental challenges facing the Arkansas program under interim head coach Bobby Petrino. This game, the 82nd meeting in the rivalry, confirmed the long-held belief of Arkansas fans that the texas arkansas contest is always one of the most important on the schedule.

Despite the loss, the Razorbacks’ offense performed admirably, totaling 512 yards of offense and putting up 37 points.

The arkansas razorbacks football vs texas longhorns football match player stats show that the Hogs outgained the Longhorns in total yards, a remarkable statistic considering the lopsided final score. Quarterback Taylen Green and running back Mike Washington kept the arkansas team in contention early, matching the Longhorns’ initial scoring bursts.

However, the statistical anomaly of outgaining the opponent while losing by 15 points highlights the Razorbacks’ primary issues, turnovers and defensive lapses.

Petrino, who returned to the program as offensive coordinator before taking over as interim head coach after the mid-season firing of Sam Pittman, has successfully rejuvenated the arkansas football offense.

But the defense, ranked 14th-worst in total yards allowed per game in the SEC, simply could not handle Manning and the elite talent of the Texas receiving corps. The texas vs arkansas prediction was ultimately realized because the Arkansas defense crumbled under the pressure of having to constantly match the Longhorns’ scoring drive for drive.

This game represented another tough chapter in Petrino’s second stint in Fayetteville, where he has been unable to guide the Razorbacks to their first SEC victory of the season.

With the team now sitting at a disappointing 2-9 overall and 0-7 in conference play, the urgency for the Arkansas program to find a permanent solution after the season’s final game against Missouri has never been higher.

A Deep Dive into the Rivalry’s Storied History

The emotional weight of the arkansas texas game is rooted in over a century of shared history within the old Southwest Conference (SWC). The texas vs arkansas rivalry has produced some of the most iconic moments in college football history, serving as a reminder of the regional and national implications the game once carried regularly.

The series, which began in 1894, has long been dominated by the Longhorns, who hold a commanding 58-23 all-time advantage. However, for Arkansas fans, the animosity is deep-seated, viewing Texas as the perennial measuring stick. The rivalry’s peak came in the late 1960s with two legendary contests:

The 1964 Upset: Arkansas secured a critical 14-13 victory over then-No. 1 Texas in Austin, a result that propelled the Razorbacks toward their 1964 national championship.

The 1969 “Game of the Century”: This momentous showdown in Fayetteville pitted No. 1 Texas against No. 2 Arkansas. The winner was promised a national championship plaque by President Richard Nixon, who attended the game. Trailing 14-0 in the fourth quarter, Texas rallied to win 15-14 in what is considered one of the defining moments of Darrell Royal’s tenure.

When Arkansas left the SWC for the SEC in 1991, and Texas later moved to the Big 12, the annual meeting ceased, leaving a generation of fans to rely on the stories of the past. The occasional non-conference matchups that followed often favored Arkansas, including a convincing 40-21 victory in 2021.

However, with Texas now permanently joining the SEC, the arkansas texas rivalry has been fully restored as an annual fixture, ensuring that the historical weight and emotional intensity of the texas arkansas game will continue to shape the college football landscape for years to come.

The Playoff Implications for the Texas Longhorns

For the Longhorns, the victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks was not merely a matter of pride, but a crucial component of their late-season goals.

Ranked No. 17 entering the weekend, the team needed a decisive texas score to keep their faint College Football Playoff aspirations alive. After their devastating loss to a top-ranked Georgia team the previous week, the team’s mental fortitude was being questioned.

The dominant offensive display led by Arch Manning provided the definitive answer. The Longhorns are now 8-3 on the season, setting up a massive Week 13 finale against their in-state rival, the undefeated and No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies.

That texas longhorns game today (next week’s contest) will be the most significant regular-season game for the program in years.

A victory would not only grant them the bragging rights they crave but could push them back into the conversation for a New Year’s Six Bowl, or, in the chaotic world of college football, potentially sneak them into the expanded playoff field depending on the results of other conference championship games.

The comprehensive win in the texas vs arkansas game, characterized by big plays and Manning’s stellar Arch Manning stats, provides the Longhorns with the necessary momentum.

The texas vs arkansas prediction was ultimately about how Texas would win, and their aggressive offensive output is exactly what the playoff committee looks for in a contender.

The Final Word: A New Chapter of the Border War

The 52-37 final Texas score does not fully capture the energy and competitive fight of the texas arkansas game. It was a contest that simultaneously showcased the future of the Texas program under Arch Manning and the potential for a high-powered offense for Arkansas under the direction of Bobby Petrino, even amid their struggles.

The arkansas razorbacks football vs texas longhorns football match player stats confirmed that while Arkansas showed fight, Texas possessed the elite playmakers—from Manning’s six touchdowns to Parker Livingstone’s clutch receiving and passing needed to close out the rivalry game.

The fans who tuned in to find where to watch Texas Longhorns football vs Arkansas Razorbacks football were treated to a classic border war, ensuring that this revitalized rivalry will command national attention when the two teams meet again next season.

The texas longhorns game today was a crucial step for Texas in their quest for national relevance, proving that even a storied rivalry game can be the launching pad for a superstar.