Texas Longhorns defeat Ole Miss Rebels 34-27

The Texas Longhorns, led by quarterback Arch Manning, defeated the Ole Miss Rebels 34-27 in a thrilling Saturday matchup, overcoming a late-game surge by the Rebels. Despite Texas entering the game on a two-game losing skid, they were listed as 3.5-point favorites according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Longhorns stifled Ole Miss early, limiting them to just three first-half points before the Rebels rallied for 24 unanswered points after the break, creating an intense battle between the No. 7 Rebels and No. 19 Longhorns.

Manning guided Texas to a commanding 24-3 halftime lead, completing 13 of 19 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The Longhorns’ defense further limited Chambliss, holding him to 63 passing yards on 6-of-18 attempts, including two interceptions—the first multi-turnover game of his Ole Miss career. Manning added a rushing touchdown in the opening quarter, extending Texas’ lead to 10-3 before scoring twice more in the second half.

First-Half Dominance

Texas’ offensive efficiency in the first half established a significant advantage. Manning connected with Ryan Wingo on a 50-yard touchdown pass, while Michael Terry III also contributed with a rushing score before the break. Though Ole Miss trailed by 21 points at halftime, their offensive firepower remained a threat.

Second-Half Comeback

A critical fumble by Manning early in the third quarter led to a 65-yard return touchdown by Ole Miss defensive end Kam Franklin. The Rebels capitalized further when Chambliss found Horatio Fields for a score, narrowing the gap to 24-17. On their first fourth-quarter drive, Chambliss hit Fields again on a 27-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 24-24 after a 21-0 Ole Miss surge.

Manning responded with his second interception of the game, but Ole Miss failed to capitalize. He then regained control with a second rushing touchdown, putting Texas back ahead. A blocked 58-yard field goal attempt by Ole Miss followed by a Texas field goal extended the Longhorns’ lead to 10 points late in the quarter. With 1:22 remaining, Ole Miss added a field goal and recovered an onside kick, setting up a potential game-winning drive. Despite Chambliss’ strong late throws and deep passes, time expired before Ole Miss could score.

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Following the game, ESPN’s Jordan Reid noted that Chambliss has climbed into the top-three conversation for first-round draft consideration after leading Ole Miss to one of only three single-loss SEC seasons. This would position him behind Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker and Miami’s Darian Mensah but ahead of Manning, Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, and Oregon’s Dante Moore.

Chambliss, a second-year senior, has faced criticism for his occasional risky decision-making in pursuit of highlight-reel plays rather than securing victories. However, his precision and accuracy have earned praise from scouts, with one NFC assistant general manager stating, “He’s smaller and won’t be for everyone that has a need there, but he’s one that makes you think really hard about making an exception to your normal rules in the draft room.”

As the draft nears, both quarterbacks will be closely monitored, with their performances potentially influencing their stock. Manning, currently ranked fifth among quarterbacks, could be selected early on Day 2, according to Reid. While his flashes of brilliance have been captivating, his ceiling has faced scrutiny following consecutive losses to unranked Oklahoma and Florida.

The Longhorns improved to 5-2 on the season with the win, while Ole Miss dropped to 5-2. Next Saturday, Ole Miss will host Auburn at 12:45 p.m. ET, and Texas will face Mississippi State at 7:30 p.m. ET. These matchups will play a key role in determining the SEC standings, as multiple teams remain in contention for the top position.

Post-Game Analysis

Though Ole Miss fell short, Chambliss delivered a standout performance, particularly in the second half, where he orchestrated a 21-0 rally against Texas. His ability to throw with precision has become a defining trait, earning him recognition from evaluators.