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Manning, Longhorns dominate Bobcats 59-7 in season opener

Arch Manning threw for four touchdowns and 305 yards as No. 5 Texas rolled past Texas State 59-7 at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Marlene Keller

September 6, 20262 min read

football victory - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NCAA FootballFinal
Texas State Bobcats7
Texas Longhorns59

September 5, 2026

Decisive Performance

The Texas Longhorns opened their season with a commanding 59-7 victory over the visiting Texas State Bobcats, powered by a masterful passing display from Arch Manning. Manning accounted for all four of his team’s first-half touchdowns and finished with 305 passing yards, completing 20 of 27 attempts while adding one interception.

The win improved Texas to 1-0 on the season, while the Bobcats dropped to 0-1. The game was played in front of a crowd of 102,738 at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

First Half Surge

Texas established control early, jumping out to a 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Manning connected with Cam Coleman for a 6-yard touchdown pass, followed by an 8-yard strike to Ryan Wingo, both converted by Gianni Spetic’s kicks.

The Longhorns extended their dominance in the second quarter with three consecutive scoring plays. Raleek Brown provided ground support with a 13-yard run, and Graceson Littleton turned a fumble into a 59-yard touchdown return. Texas State responded briefly when Davian Jackson scored on a 4-yard run, but the Bobcats’ only points came just before halftime.

By the end of the second period, Texas led 28-7. Manning’s precision continued as he linked with Coleman for a 20-yard touchdown in the third quarter, followed by another score to Hollywood Smothers on a 13-yard pass. Brown added his second rushing touchdown of the day on a 21-yard run.

Closing Out the Game

Texas State’s Brad Jackson struggled to find rhythm, completing 15 of 23 passes for 150 yards with one interception. His top receiver, Tucker Cusano, caught three passes for 58 yards, while Jaylen Jenkins rushed six times for 34 yards.

In the fourth quarter, Spetic kicked a 48-yard field goal to push the score to 52-7. James Simon sealed the blowout with a 7-yard touchdown run, capped by Spetic’s kick for the final margin of 59-7.

Manning’s efficiency was evident throughout the contest, as he avoided critical mistakes despite the one interception. Smothers contributed significantly on the ground with 70 rushing yards on ten carries, while Wingo hauled in seven receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown.

The Longhorns’ offensive explosion set a tone of expectation for the rest of the season, showcasing depth at receiver and reliability in the quarterback position. Texas State will look to regroup after this opening-night defeat.

Sources

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

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Marlene Keller

Marlene Keller covers Melissa high school and area college sports.

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