Arch Manning Leads No. 17 Texas to 52-37 Win Over Arkansas, Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

The Texas Longhorns didn’t just win—they announced themselves. On a crisp Saturday night in Austin, Arch Manning turned Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium into a fireworks show, leading his team to a 52-37 demolition of the Arkansas Razorbacks in Week 13 of the 2025 NCAA season. It wasn’t just a victory. It was a statement. With four passing touchdowns, one rushing, and one receiving, Manning accounted for six total scores and threw for a career-high 389 yards. The SEC called it "the most dynamic performance of his young career." And honestly? They weren’t exaggerating.

A Quarterback Who Changes the Game

Manning didn’t just throw passes—he orchestrated chaos. His connection with wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. was surgical: three touchdowns, each more improbable than the last. But the play that had fans rewinding their DVRs? The reverse pass from Parker Livingstone—a trick play that looked like a miscommunication until Manning leapt, twisted mid-air, and hauled in the ball at the back of the end zone. The SEC’s official YouTube channel uploaded the highlight within hours, captioned: "This isn’t football. This is theater." Livingstone, usually a slot receiver, became the unlikely hero with a 54-yard touchdown catch of his own. The offense didn’t just score—it mesmerized. Texas racked up 52 points on just 64 offensive plays. No fumbles. No penalties that mattered. Just precision, timing, and pure talent.

Arkansas Fought, But Couldn’t Close the Gap

The Razorbacks weren’t outclassed from the start. They led 20-17 at one point in the second quarter and trailed by only four at halftime. Their defense, which had held top-10 teams to under 20 points just a week earlier, looked sharp. But Texas made adjustments. A third-quarter interception by linebacker Malik Jefferson—picked off off a tipped pass—set up Manning’s fourth touchdown pass. That’s when the game turned. Arkansas’s offense, which had been moving the ball consistently, stalled. Three straight three-and-outs followed. The crowd, already loud, became deafening.

Playoff Hinges on a Rivalry

Texas entered the game at 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the SEC. That record looked good—until you looked at the schedule. The Longhorns’ path to the College Football Playoff was narrow, and now it’s razor-thin. Their next game? A rivalry showdown with No. 3 Texas A&M on November 29. The SEC’s postgame video called it a "must-win." And it is. Lose that one, and Texas’s playoff dreams vanish. Win it, and they’re back in the conversation alongside Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State.

How Fans Watched—and Why It Mattered

This wasn’t just a game. It was a media event. Fans streamed it on YouTube through unofficial channels like "LIVE Texas Longhorns vs Arkansas/Week 13," where commenters debated every call. One clip, timestamped at 449 seconds, captured the crowd’s energy: "Brought down at the 37 yd line. And this defense denies him on third down. It’s fourth down. And they’ll try the field goal. This crowd trying to do its part to get inside the kicker’s head." Then: "And that is no good." The atmosphere wasn’t just heard—it was felt.

For those with subscriptions, YouTube TV offered access to ESPN, SEC Network, and FS1—essential for out-of-market fans. Local stations in Texas and Arkansas carried the broadcast, with announcers breaking down formations like a coach’s playbook. The Professional Writers Organization noted that school district platforms also streamed the game, a rare but growing trend in college sports accessibility.

What’s Next? The Rivalry That Could Decide Everything

Arkansas, now 5-6, still has a shot at bowl eligibility. They’ll face LSU and Ole Miss in their final two games. But for Texas? Everything rides on November 29. The Texas vs. Texas A&M rivalry isn’t just about pride. It’s about legacy. The winner likely goes to a New Year’s Six bowl. The loser? Probably a lower-tier bowl, if they get one at all.

The last time Texas beat Texas A&M in Austin was 2021. Since then, the Aggies have dominated. But this year’s Longhorns are different. They have a quarterback who doesn’t flinch. A coaching staff that adapts on the fly. And a fanbase that hasn’t believed this hard since 2005.

Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score

Arch Manning isn’t just a player. He’s a symbol. The nephew of Peyton and Eli, the son of a former Texas starter—he’s carrying a legacy that stretches across generations. And now, he’s writing his own chapter. His performance against Arkansas didn’t just help Texas win. It proved he can carry the weight of expectation. In a world where college football is more commercial than ever, Manning’s poise under pressure is a reminder that heart still matters.