As the Texas football team ran out onto the field for its second half against Mississippi State on Halloween night, 103,586 fans watched, holding their breath.
Many of them wore burnt orange, and many were in their Halloween costumes, but their collective thought was likely along these lines: no witch, ghost or ghoul could be more frightening than their very own Longhorns taking the field for the third quarter.
Texas had been outscored 24-0 across its previous third quarters entering Saturday’s matchup, and the 15 minutes immediately after halftime were largely responsible for both of the Longhorns’ losses this season.
However, on the scariest night of the year, Texas football had a fright-free finish and earned a 31–3 victory against the banged-up Bulldogs.
“It was enjoyable to take my headset off with two minutes to go at the end of the game,” Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a postgame media availability.
The odds were stacked against the Bulldogs from the start — they entered the game missing multiple defensive playmakers, and the program announced that sophomore starting quarterback Kamario Taylor would miss the rest of the season — but an already a bad injury situation only grew worse throughout the matchup.
After a solid first quarter performance, senior backup quarterback AJ Swann left the game in the second quarter with an injury after being taken down by senior linebacker Rasheem Biles.
Biles forced a fumble on the play, which was recovered and returned 61 yards for a touchdown by junior defensive lineman Maraad Watson. The touchdown was the first of the 333-pound lineman’s career.
“I was happy just seeing him scoop that ball,” said defensive lineman Hero Kanu after the game. “It was a big momentum swing as well — a great play by the whole defense.”
Texas’ offensive line, though, didn’t play to the same standard as its defense.
Growing pains were to be expected, given that this was the Longhorns’ first full game without senior left tackle Trevor Goosby, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the game against Ole Miss.
But Manning was sacked five times this game due to his lack of protection, despite his willingness to run.
“The five sacks sucks, and that’s not something we’re proud of,” Sarkisian said. “I don’t want him to have to endure that. I’ve got to assess some of the carries and what that looked like.”
Manning stepped up, but the front five’s floundering also limited the success of their team’s running backs.
Raleek Brown, fifth-year ball carrier, ended Texas’ third-quarter touchdown drought with a 4-yard reception, but after a 157-yard performance against the Rebels last weekend, Brown finished with just 30 yards on the ground against the Bulldogs.
Senior running back Hollywood Smothers accumulated a net loss of six yards rushing before being taken into the injury tent in the third quarter. Smothers’ status is unknown.
While the running game was quieter, Manning and his receivers generated enough momentum to help the Longhorns create an advantage. Junior wide receiver Emmett Mosley V led the way, racking up 98 yards and his first touchdown of the season.
Junior wide receiver Cam Coleman accumulated 61 receiving yards and a touchdown during Texas’ opening drive, but he headed to the locker room with an injury early in the game’s second quarter.
With both Texas and Mississippi State beat up, it’s hard to determine exactly where each team stands moving forward. But the Longhorns got to add a dread-free win to their resume on the night of fright — one that they badly needed.
