Arch Manning lights up as Texas overcomes Vanderbilt comeback, 34-31

Arch Manning returned with a bang as he threw three touchdowns and 328 yards to beat No. 9 Vanderbilt by three goals to four on Saturday in No. 20 Texas. The victory keeps the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff as the game in Austin provided a dramatic ending.

Arch Manning did not take long to impress. The first pass he threw was scrimmage, where he struck Ryan Winger, who had a short pass and it went to the goal line and scored a 75-yard touchdown. Arch Manning was on target with quick passes and solid defense in the frontline, and by the half Texas was up 24-3.

The junior quarterback is confident throughout the whole game back after missing one week of concussion protocol. He made 25 of 33 passes and was mostly on his feet because coach Steve Sarkisian said he had received the best protection of the year. Arch Manning also assisted C.J. Baxter and Emmett Mosely V in scoring, but a running back by the name of Quintrevion Wisner contributed 75 rushing yards and a score.

Texas seemed to be riding with a 34-10 lead early in the fourth quarter but Vanderbilt was not giving up. A furious rally was led by Diego Pavia, the quarterback of Commodores, who made a touchdown run, a 67-yard pass to Eli Stowers, and another scoring pass to Richie Hoskins in the last 33 seconds.

The attempt at the comeback bid was stopped when the onside kick of Vanderbilt went off the field having been bounced off a few players. It broke the Commodores who dropped to 7-2 (3-2 SEC).

Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said he admired how our guys had completed it. In this onside kick we were only inches apart.

Pavia completed a career-high 365 yards, and 408 overall yards, but was sacked 6 times and had a hard time finding the rhythm until late. Late field goal of 48 yards by a kicker, Brock Taylor missed earlier in the game cost them.

In the case of Texas (7-2, 4-1 SEC) the victory is a fourth consecutive one, and their largest since returning to the rankings. Sarkisian commended his staffs but said that they can still improve.

It is the November games they remember said Sarkisian with a grin. I would have liked to finish better but it is a great win.

Next Texas has a giant road test against No. 5 Georgia on Nov. 15, and Vanderbilt goes home to the Auburn on Nov. 8.

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