Texas Overcomes Early Slump to Take the Red River Rivalry
In an eagerly anticipated clash at the Red River, Texas secured a 23-6 victory over sixth-ranked Oklahoma, a result that could reverberate through the college football landscape as the season unfolds. The Longhorns improved to 4-2, 1-1 in conference play, while the Sooners dropped to 5-1, 1-1. The win also preserves Texas’ Esquire Golden Hat trophy and could help the team re-enter national polls after a previous setback against Florida.
Key Performances: Arch Manning Leads Texas
Arch Manning directed a steady, efficient passing performance, completing 21 of 27 attempts for 166 yards. His decisive moment came on the opening drive of the second half, when he found DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 12-yard touchdown that gave Texas a lead they would not relinquish. Manning’s poise under pressure helped Texas overcome a slow start that had the Longhorns trailed 6-0 after the opening quarter.
Ground Game and Receiving Core Step Up
Texas leaned on a balanced attack, with Quintrevion Wisner grinding out 94 rushing yards on 22 carries and contributing five receptions for 34 yards. The ground game helped the Longhorns extend drives and pick up crucial yardage on third down. Receiver Parker Livingstone also made key plays along the sideline, including a 21-yard connection on a pivotal third-down scramble by Manning.
Special Teams and Defense: Plays That Mattered
The game’s decisive moment came late in the fourth quarter when Ryan Niblett, a dynamic Texas returner, took a punt 75 yards to the house, extending the lead to 20-6 and sealing the outcome. The play underscored the Longhorns’ edge in field position and momentum after Oklahoma had battled back from an early deficit but couldn’t sustain a consistent scoring drive.
Oklahoma’s quarterback John Mateer, returning from a hand surgery, completed 20 of 38 passes with three interceptions. The Sooners managed only 258 total yards, a stark contrast to their usual balance. After a late push to Texas’ 27-yard line, Mateer and the Oklahoma offense stalled, turning the ball over on critical downs and failing to convert on fourth-and-22 on an authoritative Texas stand.
The Takeaway: Rivalry Shifts Perception
For Oklahoma, the defeat represented back-to-back losses against Texas for the first time since the late 2000s, a sobering note in a season that had started with high expectations. The Sooners have historically owned this rivalry, and the mood in Norman was likely tempered by the need to regroup after an uncharacteristic performance.
Texas used the victory as a pathway back into form after a disappointing loss at Florida, which knocked the preseason No. 1 team out of the AP Top 25. The Longhorns showed resilience on both sides of the ball, converting seven straight third-down opportunities at one point in the second half, including a critical sequence where Manning scrambled on the goal line before delivering a 21-yard strike to Livingstone on the sideline.
Looking Ahead: Next Opponents
Oklahoma travels to South Carolina next Saturday, seeking a rebound against a veteran SEC program that handed them a tough test in Norman last season. Texas heads to Kentucky for its first-ever meeting on the road with the Wildcats, a challenging assignment that will test the Longhorns’ readiness for a tough conference schedule ahead.
Final Line
Texas 23, Oklahoma 6. Key stats: Texas field goals by Mason Shipley (22, 48, 39 yards) and a pivotal punt return TD by Niblett. Matched with a disciplined defensive effort, the Longhorns capitalized on opportunities to control the pace and secure a much-needed win.
