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Arch Manning's 305 yards crushes Texas State in 59-7 rout

The Bobcats' only score came in the second quarter. The Longhorns scored 42 points in the second and third quarters to secure a 59-7 victory.

Una Vargas

September 7, 20262 min read

Football Victory - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NCAA FootballFinal
Texas State Bobcats7
Texas Longhorns59

September 5, 2026

A Dominant Home Performance

The Texas Longhorns demonstrated their offensive firepower early and often, dismantling the Texas State Bobcats 59-7 in their season opener at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. The home team, playing in front of a crowd of 102,738, took control of the contest from the opening drive, establishing a lead that never wavered. The final score reflected a comprehensive victory for the Longhorns, who improved their record to 1-0, while the visiting Bobcats fell to 0-1. The game was defined by the efficiency of the Texas passing attack and the ability of the defense to limit the Bobcats to a single scoring drive.

Arch Manning’s Masterclass

Quarterback Arch Manning was the central figure in the Longhorns' offensive surge, completing 20 of 27 passes for 305 yards. His performance included four touchdown passes and one interception, showcasing both his arm strength and decision-making. Manning connected with Cam Coleman on a six-yard pass in the first quarter and a 20-yard pass in the third, while also finding Ryan Wingo for an eight-yard score. Wingo was a key target, finishing with seven receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown. Hollywood Smothers also contributed significantly, rushing for 70 yards on 10 carries and catching a 13-yard touchdown pass from Manning. The Longhorns' balanced attack ensured that the Bobcats' defense could not find a consistent rhythm against the home team's varied offensive threats.

Texas State’s Limited Impact

The Bobcats struggled to generate consistent offensive momentum throughout the four quarters. Their only points came from a four-yard run by Davian Jackson in the second quarter, following a kickoff return for a touchdown by Graceson Littleton. However, this was the sole scoring play for the visitors. Brad Jackson, the Bobcats' quarterback, completed 15 of 23 passes for 150 yards and one interception, but lacked the explosive plays necessary to keep the game close. Jaylen Jenkins led the rushing effort with 34 yards on six carries, while Tucker Cusano caught three passes for 58 yards. Despite these individual efforts, the Bobcats' offense was unable to overcome the Longhorns' defensive pressure and the sheer volume of Texas' scoring opportunities.

The Final Stretch

The Longhorns extended their lead in the third quarter with a flurry of scoring plays, including runs by Raleek Brown and a field goal by Gianni Spetic. In the fourth quarter, Spetic added a 48-yard field goal, and James Simon capped the scoring with a seven-yard rushing touchdown. The quarter-by-quarter scores highlighted the disparity: Texas State managed 0, 7, 0, and 0 points, while Texas scored 14, 14, 21, and 10. The result was a clear statement of intent from the Longhorns as they began their 2026 campaign with a commanding win.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401856667

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Una Vargas

Una Vargas covers Plano high school and area college sports.

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