Longhorns Stun Undefeated Aggies in Lone Star Showdown Revival
Manning’s Second-Half Heroics Lead Texas to 27-17 Victory Over No. 3 Texas A&M
In front of a roaring crowd of over 100,000 at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, the Texas Longhorns delivered a knockout blow to their oldest rivals, defeating the previously undefeated No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies 27-17 on Friday night. The victory not only ended the Aggies’ perfect season but also knocked them out of the SEC Championship Game while keeping Texas’s slim playoff hopes flickering.
Manning Rises to the Occasion
After a forgettable first half where he completed just 8-of-21 passes for 51 yards, quarterback Arch Manning transformed into the elite player he was hyped to be when the lights shone brightest. Manning completed six of eight second-half passes, leading Texas on multiple scoring drives that turned a 10-3 halftime deficit into a commanding victory.
Manning’s defining moment came late in the fourth quarter when he broke free for a 35-yard rushing touchdown that effectively sealed the game.
Manning gone mobile 🏎️ pic.twitter.com/7Hm6UlDzGO
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 29, 2025
The score gave Texas a 27-17 lead with just over seven minutes remaining, putting the Aggies in an insurmountable hole. For the game, Manning completed 14 of 19 passes for 179 yards and two combined touchdowns, adding 53 yards and a score on the ground.
The performance was a redemption arc for the sophomore quarterback, who had faced early-season criticism after struggles against Ohio State and Florida. But against Texas A&M, Manning showed the poise and playmaking ability that made him one of college football’s most celebrated recruits.
Arch Manning is going to be the number one overall pick in 2027. Guy has gotten so much better since the start of the season. All of his critics are starting to look like complete morons.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 29, 2025
Key to Texas’s offensive resurgence was the play of running back Quintrevion Wisner, who tormented the Aggies’ defense for a second consecutive year. Wisner rushed for 113 yards on just 11 carries, becoming Texas’s first 100-yard rusher of the season. His explosive 48-yard run in the third quarter ignited the comeback and set up a field goal that cut the deficit to 10-3.
Defense Delivers When It Mattered Most
While Manning and the offense grabbed headlines, Texas’s defense made the plays that ultimately decided the outcome. The Longhorns intercepted Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed three times, including two crucial picks deep in Texas territory that snuffed out potential scoring drives.
Michael Taaffe’s interception in the red zone with under four minutes remaining effectively ended Texas A&M’s comeback hopes, as the Aggies were down by just 10 points and driving. Kobe Black added another interception with just over two minutes left to seal the victory.
ANOTHER ONE, THANK YOU 🤝 pic.twitter.com/XLhMSIMqv9
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 29, 2025
The Texas defense held the Aggies to just seven points after halftime, forcing multiple three-and-outs and keeping Reed under constant pressure. Texas A&M, which had averaged over 38 points per game during the season, managed just 17 points and struggled to establish any offensive rhythm in the second half.
Playoff Hopes: Alive but on Life Support
The victory keeps Texas’s College Football Playoff aspirations technically alive, but the path remains treacherous. ESPN’s playoff predictor gives Texas just an 11% chance of making the CFP, even with the win over the Aggies. The Longhorns sit at No. 16 in the latest rankings with a 9-3 record, needing significant help from teams ahead of them.
The challenge is clear: Texas cannot play in the SEC Championship Game and would need multiple upsets among current top-12 teams to crack the playoff field. Teams like Miami, Alabama, and Ole Miss would need to lose for Texas to have any realistic shot.
Still, the Longhorns now boast an impressive resume. They have three wins over top-15 opponents at the time of the matchup: Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, Vanderbilt, and now Texas A&M. Their only questionable loss came against Florida; the other two defeats were to top-five teams Ohio State and Georgia.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian made an impassioned case after the game, stating that it would be a disservice to college football if Texas didn’t make the playoff.
"It would be a disservice to our sport if this team is not a playoff team."
— ESPN (@espn) November 29, 2025
Steve Sarkisian made his case for why No. 16 Texas should be in the College Football Playoff 😤 pic.twitter.com/bMjcBv5waf
Whether the selection committee agrees will be revealed in Tuesday’s rankings update.
Rivalry Renewed with Historic Stakes
The Lone Star Showdown returned to Austin for the first time since 2010, when Texas A&M left the Big 12 for the SEC. The rivalry was dormant for 13 years before resuming last season at Kyle Field, where Texas won 17-7. Friday’s victory gave the Longhorns back-to-back wins in the series and improved their all-time record to 78-37-5.
For Texas A&M, the loss was devastating on multiple levels. The Aggies entered the game 11-0 for the first time since 1992, riding an undefeated SEC slate and looking like a near-lock for the playoff. Instead, they fell to 11-1 and were eliminated from SEC Championship Game contention, with Georgia taking their spot to face either Alabama or Ole Miss.
The defeat also raised questions about coach Mike Elko’s squad, which was physically dominated in the trenches during the second half. The Aggies’ vaunted defense, which had allowed just 21.5 points per game during the season, couldn’t contain Wisner on the ground or pressure Manning effectively in the pocket when it mattered most.
Looking Ahead
For Texas, all eyes now turn to Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings. The Longhorns need chaos above them and favorable treatment from the committee to extend their season beyond a bowl game. It’s a long shot, but this team has proven it can compete with anyone when firing on all cylinders.
As for Texas A&M, they’ll regroup and likely still earn a solid bowl berth, but the disappointment of squandering an undefeated season and SEC Championship opportunity will linger throughout the offseason.
In a rivalry game that delivered on every promise, Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns reminded everyone why the Lone Star Showdown is one of college football’s great traditions. On this night in Austin, the burnt orange shone brighter than maroon, and the Longhorns’ playoff dream — however faint — lives to see another day.
MORE ON TEXAS’S BIG WIN OVER TEXAS A&M FURTHER DOWN THIS POST IN SPORTS
The Federal Aviation Administration slowed traffic into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport with a ground delay Friday. It lasted most of the afternoon before being lifted around 5:00 p.m. Delays averaged about 30 minutes, although some flights were expected to wait more than two hours for takeoff clearance. More than 50 flights were affected. (Austin American-Statesman)
Lago Vista‘s water treatment plant is down after a break happened in a distribution line.
Williamson County is spending $500,000 for a study on its projected population growth, water demands and potential water sources as it looks ahead to the next half century. (Austin American-Statesman)
Austin police said they’re planning to increase patrols at some shopping centers this holiday season.
This week’s Crime Watch from FOX 7 Austin:
One of Austin’s top local banks is being bought by Third Coast. (Austin Business Journal)
The Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin will soon be getting a makeover. The theatre has been around for 110 years.
The HOPE Outdoor Gallery has officially reopened near the airport after years of delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the permitting process. (Community Impact)
The spiritual successor to the Art wall – Hope Gallery – opened today off of 71 near the airport.https://t.co/FVLM1vd6j7 https://t.co/KSg0SNPgz3 pic.twitter.com/adKZjpa3qd
— The ATX (@TheATX1) November 28, 2025
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5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
About 25 people were taken into custody on Thanksgiving Day following a cockfighting investigation in Alvarado, according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
Tyson Foods plans to cut 1,761 jobs at its Amarillo beef-processing complex early next year as the company prepares to shut down an entire production shift, according to a notice filed with state regulators. (Houston Chronicle)
In an X post on Wednesday, State Senator Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, said he was donating enough Ten Commandment posters to go in every classroom within Manor Independent School District.
Holiday shoppers heading to the San Marcos Outlet Malls this weekend should brace for major traffic changes on I-35.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Northbound I-35 Exit Ramp 201 (McCarty Lane), closed Friday, Nov. 28 from 4 a.m. to Saturday, Nov. 29 at 10 p.m. for Black Friday. Outlet mall traffic use exit 200 for Centerpoint Road. pic.twitter.com/bOmKQ7x2ym
— TxDOT San Antonio (@TxDOTSanAntonio) November 24, 2025
With Union County, Georgia, officials ending their search for Charles Hosch, the family of the missing SMU law professor is launching its own coordinated effort, including hired project managers and a new website, to keep looking for him after his Veterans Day disappearance on Blood Mountain.
Tonight’s Powerball jackpot in way up there.
A special rebroadcast from the studios of Houston Public Media, the November destination in our yearlong waltz across Texas marking 10 years on the air.
Today, we’ll explore Houston’s rise to become the nation’s newest global city.
Also, a mission to tell the true story of the first female astronauts, the Houston Chronicle with a new list of the top Houston restaurants, a take on Texas zydeco, and a whole lot more.
THE BATTLE TO SAVE TEXAS
Dawn Buckingham is the Land Commissioner for Texas.
(Episode from November 28, 2025)
What Does It Mean To Be Progressive?
(Episode from November 28, 2025)
SPORTS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Arch Manning threw a touchdown pass and ran for the clinching score late in the fourth quarter and No. 16 Texas beat No. 3 Texas A&M 27-17 on Friday night to spoil the Aggies’ undefeated season and knock them out of the Southeastern Conference championship game. (Yahoo! Sports)
In other games today, both Houston and Texas Tech conclude their regular seasons.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS:
NBA: A win for the Spurs last night…and a loss for the Mavericks.
Devin Vassell scored a season-high 33 points on the strength of 7-of-9 shooting from 3-point range and the San Antonio Spurs advanced to the NBA Cup quarterfinals with a 139-136 win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.
Austin Reaves scored 38 points, Luka Doncic added 35 points and 11 assists in his third meeting with his former team, and the Lakers spoiled Anthony Davis’ return to Los Angeles with a 129-119 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
The Spurs and Rockets are off tonight while Dallas remains in Los Angeles to face the Clippers.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The Aggies got a win on the court Friday.
Ruben Dominguez scored 21 points from seven 3-pointers, Rashaun Agee added 17 points and matched a career-best with 17 rebounds, and Texas A&M routed Florida State 95-59 on Friday night.
Pop Isaacs added 15 points and Mackenzie Mgbako had 10 for Texas A&M (6-2), which has averaged 102.5 points during its current four-game win streak. (Yahoo! Sports)
NHL: Wyatt Johnston scored 28 seconds into a two-minute, five-on-three power play late in the second period to lift the Dallas Stars to a 4-3 win over the Utah Mammoth on Friday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
The 1917 Houston Mutiny and Riot, also known as the Camp Logan Mutiny, is one of the most controversial, tragic, and misunderstood events in U.S. military history. This video explores the full story, from the racial tensions in Jim Crow Houston to the U.S. Army’s largest murder trial in history. The event involved soldiers of the all-Black 24th Infantry Regiment, who clashed with discriminatory Houston police after months of escalating abuse. On the night of August 23, 1917, a series of violent confrontations sparked a chain reaction that led to an armed march into the city resulting in Houston’s deadliest riot of the era.
