Texas secured a narrow 20-17 victory over Tennessee in a defensive SEC opener that featured dramatic plays and late-game drama. The Longhorns were led by Raleek Brown, who rushed for 67 yards and scored two touchdowns, including a 4-yard run with 5:52 remaining that gave Texas the lead.
Colin Simmons made headlines by tying a program record with five sacks, dominating the Tennessee offense throughout the game. Texas finished with 10 sacks as a team and held Tennessee to 221 total yards.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian praised his team's ability to win big games, calling it a key part of their identity, according to ESPN.
The Longhorns defense also held strong against Tennessee's late offensive push. Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter recovered an onside kick with 1:22 remaining to give the Volunteers another opportunity. Texas safety Jelani McDonald batted down a final pass attempt by Faizon Brandon in the end zone as time expired.
Brandon threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Mike Matthews with just over a minute left to cut the lead to 20-17, but Texas held on for the win.
Arch Manning played a key role in the game, throwing for 201 yards and leading an important drive that resulted in Brown’s game-winning touchdown, according to a report from The Sporting News. Manning completed 14 of 19 passes but was intercepted once and sacked six times.
Despite the victory, Texas had some issues on special teams and allowed a 57-yard punt return for a touchdown by Qua Moss in the third quarter.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel admitted that his team’s offensive line and quarterback play were not good enough to secure the win. Simmons' celebration after one of his sacks drew attention, as he was removed from the game temporarily but later returned due to coach Sarkisian’s decision not to issue a harsh penalty.
Simmons was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after officials said he was simulating using the restroom. He later apologized for the gesture.
Sarkisian said that while the team had some issues, they were able to survive and win in a tough game.
The Longhorns now look ahead to their next game, the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma. Texas has a bye before meeting Oklahoma on October 10 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
Texas' defense has been a standout this season, with the team’s pass rush helping to close out games like this one.
The game was marked by several key plays and penalties, including the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Simmons. Texas committed 11 penalties for 115 yards during the game.
This win adds to Texas’ impressive early-season record, which now stands at 4-0, and puts them in a strong position for the remainder of the season. Tennessee fell to 3-1 with the loss.
The Longhorns’ performance against Tennessee showcased both their strength and their vulnerabilities as they continue to build toward a potential playoff run.
Texas posted social media content after the game that highlighted the team’s festive mood, referencing a vintage theme with a graphic showing a cracked television set, ESPN reported. Other teams like Wake Forest and UAB also shared creative postgame social media updates, each reflecting their own unique style of celebration.