The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
1-0 , 0-0
Texas State
0-1 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas St. | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Texas | 14 | 14 | 21 | 10 | 59 |
No. 5/4 Football dominates Texas State in season opener, 59-7
09.05.2026 | Football
Longhorns register ninth consecutive home-opening win
AUSTIN, Texas — No. 5/4 Texas raced to a four-score first-half advantage and never looked back, as the Longhorns downed Texas State, 59-7, in front of 102,738 fans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
With the victory, Texas (1-0) has won 39 straight non-conference games against teams from the Lonestar State, dating back to 1968.
The Longhorns scored on eight of their nine drives and forced three turnovers, earning their ninth consecutive home-opening win.
Texas totaled 516 yards of offense against the Bobcats (0-1), highlighted by Arch Manning. Manning matched a career-high with four passing touchdowns, while throwing for 305 yards. The quarterback connected with eight different receivers, tossing touchdowns to Ryan Wingo, Cam Coleman and Hollywood Smothers.
In the first head-to-head meeting in nearly 100 years, Manning and the Longhorns completed their quickest scoring drive to start a season since 2022. The senior linked up with Coleman in the endzone to cap off the four-play, 56-yard possession at the 10:31 mark. On the first touch of the 108-second drive, Smothers scampered for 45 yards.
Wingo recorded seven receptions for 121 yards and a score. For the 6-foot-2, 214-pound wideout, it marked his third career contest eclipsing the century mark.
In his Texas debut, Coleman notched three catches for 70 yards, finding the endzone twice for his third career multi-score performance. Meanwhile, Smothers rushed for 70 yards on 10 carries and added a pair of receiving touchdowns. Raleek Brown delivered the Longhorns' two scores on the ground.
Coleman, Smothers, and Brown were three of the five Longhorns to record their first touchdown in burnt orange, joining James Simon and Graceson Littleton. In the second quarter, Littleton scooped up a fumble and returned it to the house for a 59-yard score. Littleton's return marked Texas' longest fumble return touchdown since Rodrique Wright's 67-yard return against Oklahoma on Oct. 8, 2005.
With the takeaway, Texas has now forced a turnover in 24 straight home games, the longest active streak in the FBS. During that stretch, the Longhorns converted those 44 takeaways into 193 points.
Littleton's historic return sparked Texas' defense in the second half. With the Bobcats driving at midfield, Maraad Watson sacked and stripped Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson. On the Bobcats' next drive, Rasheem Biles registered his second turnover of the game with an interception that noted his fourth career pick. Biles also forced the fumble on Littleton's recovery.
Defensively, Texas held Texas State to its fewest points in nearly four years.
The Longhorns compiled eight tackles for loss and three pass breakups. Jelani McDonald led the way with eight tackles, including one tackle for loss. Littleton and Jonah Williams each chipped in six stops apiece.
Up next, Texas will host Ohio State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 12. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and will be televised on ABC.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
TSU 0, TEX 7
TEX - Coleman,Cam 6 yd pass from Manning,Arch (Spetic,Gianni kick) 4 plays, 56 yards, TOP 01:48
TSU 0, TEX 14
TEX - Wingo,Ryan 8 yd pass from Manning,Arch (Spetic,Gianni kick) 7 plays, 58 yards, TOP 02:32
TSU 0, TEX 21
TEX - Brown,Raleek 13 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 13 plays, 80 yards, TOP 06:18
TSU 0, TEX 28
TEX - Littleton,Graceson 59 yd fumble recovery (Spetic,Gianni kick)
TSU 7, TEX 28
TSU - Jackson,Davian 4 yd run (Cunanan,Dylan kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:57
TSU 7, TEX 35
TEX - Coleman,Cam 20 yd pass from Manning,Arch (Spetic,Gianni kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:14
TSU 7, TEX 42
TEX - Smothers,Hollywood 13 yd pass from Manning,Arch (Spetic,Gianni kick) 9 plays, 42 yards, TOP 04:04
TSU 7, TEX 49
TEX - Brown,Raleek 21 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 3 plays, 45 yards, TOP 01:03
TSU 7, TEX 52
TEX - Spetic,Gianni 48 yd field goal 12 plays, 50 yards, TOP 05:48
TSU 7, TEX 59
TEX - Simon,James 7 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 4 plays, 16 yards, TOP 01:54
