The Texas Longhorns defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 31-3 on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas controlled the game with a strong defensive performance and three touchdown passes from quarterback Arch Manning.
The victory improved Texas to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in SEC play. Mississippi State dropped to 4-4 overall and 2-4 in the conference after suffering its fourth consecutive loss.
Manning threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. However, one of the biggest moments came from the Texas defense when defensive lineman Maraad Watson returned a fumble 61 yards for a touchdown just before halftime.
Here is a complete breakdown of the Texas vs Mississippi State final score, player statistics, scoring summary, and key moments.
Texas vs Mississippi State Final Score
Texas won 31-3 after scoring in every quarter and holding Mississippi State scoreless in the first half.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Texas | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
Game details:
- Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Final score: Texas 31, Mississippi State 3
- Venue: Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Competition: Southeastern Conference (SEC)
- Attendance: 103,586
- Texas record: 6-2 overall, 3-2 SEC
- Mississippi State record: 4-4 overall, 2-4 SEC
Texas established control early and never allowed the Bulldogs to build offensive momentum.
How Texas Beat Mississippi State 31-3
The Longhorns combined an efficient passing attack with an aggressive defense to secure the 28-point victory.
Texas scored its first touchdown on the opening drive when Arch Manning connected with wide receiver Cam Coleman for a 14-yard score. The early touchdown gave the Longhorns a 7-0 lead.
Texas added a 45-yard field goal from Gianni Spetic in the second quarter. However, the most important play of the first half came shortly afterward.
Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann was sacked by Texas linebacker Rasheem Biles, who forced a fumble. Defensive lineman Maraad Watson recovered the ball and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown.
The defensive score extended Texas’ lead to 17-0 before halftime.
Mississippi State managed only a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter. Texas responded with another touchdown when Manning found Raleek Brown for a four-yard score.
In the fourth quarter, Manning connected with Emmett Mosley V on a 42-yard touchdown pass to complete the scoring.
Texas finished with a convincing 31-3 victory.
Arch Manning Leads Texas With Three Touchdown Passes
Arch Manning delivered an important performance for the Longhorns, completing 16 of 20 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns.
He also avoided throwing an interception.
Manning connected with three different receivers for touchdowns, helping Texas maintain its advantage throughout the game.
His passing performance was particularly important because Mississippi State’s defense recorded five sacks and made it difficult for Texas to establish a consistent running game.
Despite that pressure, Manning helped the Longhorns finish with 280 total offensive yards.
His final statistics included:
- Passing yards: 220
- Completions: 16 of 20
- Passing touchdowns: 3
- Interceptions: 0
- Rushing yards: 10
The three touchdown passes made Manning one of the central reasons behind the Texas victory.
Maraad Watson’s 61-Yard Fumble Return Changes the Game
One of the biggest highlights of Texas vs Mississippi State was Maraad Watson’s 61-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
The play happened late in the second quarter when Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann was attempting to move the Bulldogs closer to scoring.
Texas linebacker Rasheem Biles delivered the sack and forced the fumble. Watson recovered the loose ball and ran 61 yards into the end zone.
The touchdown pushed Texas’ lead to 17-0 and gave the Longhorns additional momentum heading into halftime.
Biles also finished with three sacks and two forced fumbles, making him one of the standout defensive players of the game.
The defensive performance helped Texas hold Mississippi State to just 187 total yards.
AJ Swann and Mississippi State’s Offensive Struggles
Mississippi State struggled to produce points against the Texas defense.
AJ Swann started at quarterback in place of Kamario Taylor, who was unavailable because of a season-ending toe injury.
Swann completed 12 of 15 passes for 97 yards before leaving the game with an injury following the second-quarter fumble.
Parker Puckett took over at quarterback and completed three of 10 passes for 22 yards.
The Bulldogs finished with only 187 total offensive yards and failed to score a touchdown.
Fluff Bothwell led Mississippi State in rushing with 49 yards on 17 carries. Marquis Johnson was the team’s leading receiver with six catches for 61 yards.
The offensive struggles continued a difficult stretch for Mississippi State, which entered the game following a strong 4-0 start to its season.
Texas vs Mississippi State Player Stats
The following table highlights the leading individual performers from both teams.
Passing statistics
| Player | Team | Completions | Passing yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arch Manning | Texas | 16/20 | 220 | 3 |
| AJ Swann | Mississippi State | 12/15 | 97 | 0 |
| Parker Puckett | Mississippi State | 3/10 | 22 | 0 |
Rushing statistics
| Player | Team | Carries | Rushing yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluff Bothwell | Mississippi State | 17 | 49 |
| Raleek Brown | Texas | 8 | 30 |
| Michael Terry III | Texas | 4 | 16 |
| J.J. Hill | Mississippi State | 5 | 15 |
Receiving statistics
| Player | Team | Receptions | Receiving yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmett Mosley V | Texas | 4 | 98 | 1 |
| Cam Coleman | Texas | 2 | 61 | 1 |
| Marquis Johnson | Mississippi State | 6 | 61 | 0 |
| Raleek Brown | Texas | 2 | 26 | 1 |
| Anthony Evans III | Mississippi State | 3 | 19 | 0 |
Emmett Mosley V led all receivers with 98 receiving yards, while Cam Coleman also contributed a touchdown before leaving the game.
Texas vs Mississippi State Team Statistics
Texas produced more total offensive yards and scored all four of its touchdowns through the passing game or defense.
| Team statistic | Mississippi State | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 187 | 280 |
| Passing yards | 119 | 220 |
| Rushing yards | 68 | 60 |
| First downs | 12 | 13 |
| Total plays | 66 | 53 |
| Third-down conversions | 6/18 | 6/14 |
| Turnovers lost | 1 | 1 |
| Sacks recorded | 5 | 7 |
| Time of possession | 32:28 | 27:32 |
Although Mississippi State had more rushing yards and controlled possession for longer, Texas made better use of its offensive opportunities.
The Longhorns averaged 5.3 yards per play compared with Mississippi State’s 2.8 yards per play.
Texas also recorded seven sacks, putting consistent pressure on the Bulldogs’ quarterbacks.
What Is Next for Texas and Mississippi State?
Both teams now turn their attention to their next SEC matchups.
Texas Longhorns: Texas is scheduled to travel to Missouri on November 7, 2026. The Longhorns will look to continue building momentum after consecutive victories.
Mississippi State Bulldogs: Mississippi State is scheduled to host Vanderbilt on November 7, 2026. The Bulldogs will look to end their four-game losing streak and improve their conference record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Texas vs Mississippi State?
The Texas Longhorns won the game 31-3 on October 31, 2026, at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
What was the final score of Texas vs Mississippi State?
The final score was Texas 31, Mississippi State 3. Texas scored seven points in the first quarter, 10 in the second, seven in the third, and seven in the fourth.
How many touchdowns did Arch Manning throw?
Arch Manning threw three touchdown passes and finished with 220 passing yards without an interception.
How many yards did AJ Swann throw against Texas?
AJ Swann completed 12 of 15 passes for 97 yards before leaving the game with an injury.
Who scored the defensive touchdown for Texas?
Maraad Watson scored a defensive touchdown after recovering a fumble and returning it 61 yards. Rasheem Biles forced the fumble with a sack.
Where was the Texas vs Mississippi State game played?
The game was played at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, in front of 103,586 fans.
When do Texas and Mississippi State play next?
Texas is scheduled to face Missouri on November 7, 2026, while Mississippi State is scheduled to host Vanderbilt on the same date.
Final Takeaway
Texas delivered a convincing 31-3 victory over Mississippi State, combining three touchdown passes from Arch Manning with a dominant defensive performance.
Maraad Watson’s 61-yard fumble return and Rasheem Biles’ three sacks were among the biggest moments of the game. Meanwhile, Mississippi State struggled to find consistent offense and finished with only 187 total yards.
The result gives Texas another important SEC victory as it prepares for its November 7 matchup against Missouri. Mississippi State, meanwhile, will look to respond against Vanderbilt.
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