Texas quarterback Arch Manning had an up-and-down game vs. No. 7 Mississippi on Saturday, Oct. 24, but was ultimately able to lead the Longhorns to a 34-27 victory for the 18th-ranked Longhorns.
With a little help from Holly Rowe.
Speaking to the ESPN sideline reporter, Manning — who finished the game completing 18 of 30 passes for 212 yards and three total touchdowns — was largely deferential to his teammates when discussing the win. Toward the end of his brief interview with Rowe, he made sure to thank her for her contribution as well.
"I think you need to start coming to our games more," Manning said. "We're
3-0 with you this year."
"Whatever it takes." 😤
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 25, 2026
Arch Manning and @TexasFootball get a BIG win over No. 7 Ole Miss 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WxPMYFtlbE
Indeed, ABC has broadcast three Texas home wins this season. The first came in Week 2 as Manning led a come-from-behind win over then-No. 1 Ohio State, 24-23, a game in which Steve Sarkisian was notably short with Rowe in his postgame interview. The second came two weeks later, as the Longhorns eked out a 20-17 win vs. Tennessee.
Texas' unbeaten record with Rowe on hand nearly fell through on Oct. 24, as the Longhorns saw a 24-3 halftime lead dissipate over the course of the second half. Manning was strip-sacked early in the third quarter, leading directly to an Ole Miss defensive touchdown. Texas followed that with three punts and a fourth-quarter interception by Manning that gave Ole Miss the ball at its own 20-yard line, tied 24-24 with a chance to take the lead.
Despite the three turnovers — Manning threw an ultimately inconsequential pick in the first half — the quarterback's play ultimately helped the Longhorns to the win as he led a touchdown and field goal drive in the fourth quarter.
Ole Miss nearly sent the game to overtime after a sequence in which it kicked a field goal under the 2-minute timeout before executing a successful onside kick. Trinidad Chambliss' final heave to the end zone was intercepted to give Texas the win.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arch Manning wants ESPN’s Holly Rowe at more Texas games. Here’s why
