Texas quarterback Arch Manning gave ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe a reason to laugh after the Longhorns upset Ole Miss, joking that she should cover more of their games this season.
“I think you need to start doing our games more,” an elated Manning told Rowe after Texas improved to 5-2 with a 34-27 victory in Austin. “We’re 3-0 with you this year.”
Rowe has found herself at the center of several memorable postgame exchanges with the Longhorns this season, and she appeared happy to accept Manning’s proposal.
“Hey,” she replied, “we’ll take it.”
The lighthearted moment was a sharp contrast to Steve Sarkisian’s brief and awkward postgame interview with Rowe after Texas upset then-No. 1 Ohio State on September 12. That exchange helped fuel viral AI-generated videos, including one falsely depicting Sarkisian striking Rowe. Manning later referenced the incident while joking with reporters before publicly apologizing to the ESPN journalist.
On Saturday in Austin, however, Manning and Rowe were smiling as Texas celebrated a significant SEC victory over Ole Miss.
Manning noted that Texas is 3-0 in games covered by Rowe this season
Rowe, who has shared several newsworthy postgame moments with Texas this season, laughed as Manning walked away after making his pitch
Manning had an uneven performance, throwing two interceptions and being sacked twice. Still, he ran for two touchdowns and added another through the air as Texas held the ball for 10 more minutes than the Rebels.
“Our defense came in clutch, that’s what it’s all about,” Manning told Rowe.
Before kickoff, much of the conversation surrounding Manning focused on his difficulties at quarterback this season. Sarkisian had also given backup KJ Lacey additional first-team practice reps.
But after Texas withstood a late Ole Miss rally, Manning appeared to strengthen his hold on the starting role against the school where his grandfather Archie and uncle Eli starred.
The Longhorns nearly let a 10-point advantage slip away during the final two minutes. Receiver Emmett Mosley IV failed to secure an onside kick, allowing the Rebels to recover and keep their comeback hopes alive. On the game’s final play, though, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw toward the end zone, where Jelani McDonald intercepted the pass.
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Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, center left, talks with Manning on the sideline in Austin
Raleek Brown powered Texas with 157 rushing yards, including a 47-yard burst that set up Manning’s 1-yard touchdown run. Manning went untouched around the edge after a fake handoff fooled the Ole Miss defense, extending the lead to 31-24.
Manning and Sarkisian also quieted some of the criticism that followed consecutive losses to unranked opponents, a slide that knocked the Longhorns from the No. 1 spot. Texas entered the game 5-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC play.
A third consecutive defeat would have intensified the scrutiny, particularly after Texas had built double-digit leads in each game—and watched each advantage grow larger than the previous one.
Chambliss threw two touchdown passes to Horatio Fields as Ole Miss, now 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, erased a 24-3 halftime deficit. Kam Franklin’s recovery of a Manning fumble in the end zone had helped spark the Rebels’ comeback.
Texas received the ball to open the second half after stopping Ole Miss on a goal-line stand just before halftime. Manning was hit from behind by Blake Purchase, and Franklin picked up the loose ball at the 5-yard line. After briefly losing control, Franklin recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown.
Manning showcased his running ability by scoring two rushing touchdowns against Ole Miss on Saturday
On the next possession, Franklin hit Manning head-on for a sack that put Texas in third-and-16 and sent Manning to the sideline for a medical check.
He tried to come back but was forced to sit for the play. Texas punted after a handoff from backup KJ Lacey Jr. Manning returned on the next series.
Defensive penalties by Texas fueled the drive to Fields’ 6-yard touchdown catch as the Longhorns finished with season highs of 14 penalties for 121 yards.
Fields made a nice contested catch in the end zone from 27 yards to get the Rebels even at 24 early in the fourth.
It was a rough night for Texas receiver Cam Coleman. The high-priced Auburn transfer dropped what should have been an easy 59-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. On the first play of the second half, he fell hard on his left shoulder trying to make a diving catch and had to be helped to the sideline.