Texas beats Mississippi State 31-3 behind Manning, defense

Texas defeated Mississippi State 31-3 on October 31, as quarterback Arch Manning threw three touchdown passes and defensive tackle Maraad Watson returned a fumble 61 yards for a score. The No. 11 Longhorns improved to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in Southeastern Conference play, earning their second straight win after consecutive losses earlier in the season. Manning completed 16 of 20 passes for 220 yards. He connected with Cam Coleman for a 14-yard touchdown on Texas’ opening possession, then found Raleek Brown for a four-yard score in the third quarter and Emmett Mosley V on a 42-yard touchdown pass in the fourth. Watson’s return came shortly before halftime, after Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann was sacked and fumbled while the Bulldogs were trying to move into scoring range. Swann, making his first start of the season in place of injured starter Kamario Taylor, was hurt on the play and left the game. Texas led 17-0 at halftime. Mississippi State managed a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter, but Texas answered with Manning’s touchdown pass to Brown. The Longhorns’ defense held the Bulldogs to three points and limited them to 187 yards, according to a game account....