AUSTIN (KXAN) — After Arch Manning took a hard hit and was helped off the field on a 13-yard scramble in overtime, backup Matthew Caldwell came in and needed just one pass to make an impact.
Caldwell hit Emmett Mosley V on a 10-yard pass for the go-ahead touchdown. Then the Texas defense sacked Blake Chapin on 24th down to seal a wild 45-38 win over Mississippi State on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi.
“What a moment for this guy,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “He has a sense of maturity about him. He takes his chances and goes out and plays.”
Mosley’s catch was initially ruled out of bounds, but after a replay review showed he put his toe inside the white line when he caught Caldwell’s pass, the call was reversed. That silenced the cowbells that Bulldogs fans rang like crazy throughout the game.
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Texas wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) runs down the field after making a catch against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Mississippi, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, left, rushes from the pocket against Mississippi State quarterback Derrion Gullett, front right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Mississippi State quarterback Derrion Gullette, top, sacks Texas quarterback Arch Manning, bottom, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Mississippi, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shippen, second from right, looks down the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas in Starkville, Mississippi, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Mississippi State linebacker Derrion Gullette, front left, celebrates after being sacked against Texas with teammates during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Texas wide receiver Ryan Wingo, right, is tackled by Mississippi State linebacker Branden Jennings, bottom left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Texas wide receiver Deandre Moore Jr., left center, catches a pass against Mississippi State safety Brylan Lanier (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Texans wide receiver Deandre Moore Jr. reacts. (0) After his first tackle against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shippen, right center, throws a pass against Texas during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Mississippi, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Mississippi State wide receiver Anthony Evans III, left, is tackled by Texas defensive back Warren Roberson, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Mississippi State tight end Seydou Traoré, above, catches a pass and runs for a first down against Texas during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Mississippi State wide receiver Anthony Evans III, above, blocks Texas defensive back Warren Roberson, below, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Mississippi State quarterback Blake Chapin, left, looks to catch a pass as Texans defensive back Jelani McDonald (4) pursues during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh) -
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, right center, steps out of bounds against Mississippi State safety Jahron Manning, left center, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh)
It’s the second straight overtime win in Southeastern Conference play for the Longhorns after last week’s 16-13 win over Kentucky. For the Bulldogs, this is their 16th straight home loss in an SEC game.
The No. 22 Longhorns outscored the Bulldogs 31-7 in the fourth quarter and overtime combined, turning the game on its head after trailing 31-14 at the end of three quarters.
Sarkisian said he’s not sure he’s ever been prouder of his team than he was after the game.
“The toughness they showed, not just physically but mentally,” Sarkisian said. “To come out of here with a win by scoring 24 unanswered points, that speaks volumes about our culture. Culture wins. We have talented people, but we have a tremendous culture, and that culture was on full display tonight.”
Longhorns kick returner Ryan Niblett has proven to be one of the most exciting special teams players in the country. He helped tie the game with a 79-yard punt return with 1:47 left in regulation, his second score in three weeks.
Arch Manning threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, a 6-yard dart to Parker Livingston at the 13:15 mark, then a 21-yard pass to Moseley with 9:34 remaining.
Texas trailed 38-21 after Davon Booth caught a shovel pass and raced 62 yards for a touchdown with 12:29 left, but then the Longhorns defense buckled down and forced the Bulldogs to make two three-and-out drives.
Manning finished the game 29 of 46 for 346 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Ryan Wingo caught five passes for 184 yards, and would have caught more if not for his three dropped passes.
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The Texans sacked Chapin seven times, six in the second half. The Longhorns held the Bulldogs to a total of 164 yards in the second half, including a minus-31 yarder with a sack. Ethan Burke made a huge play to put the Bulldogs’ Camario Taylor on third-and-1 with 2:44 remaining, leading to the penalty that Niblett had House call. Burke also blocked a field goal earlier in the game.
Anthony Hill Jr. tallied 10 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks with four quarterback hits. Jelani McDonald led the Longhorns with 14 tackles. Texas was playing without All-American safety Michael Taaffe, who underwent thumb surgery earlier in the week to repair the injury he suffered against Kentucky.
Shapen finished 26 of 44 for 381 yards with four touchdowns, and Booth rushed for 99 yards on 24 carries, adding 85 yards on three catches for the Bulldogs.
After four straight away games, Texas (6-2, 3-1 SEC) hosts No. 10 Vanderbilt at 11 a.m. on Nov. 1.