Our Austin

Texas Holds Off Ole Miss in 34-27 Victory

The Longhorns secured the win before a massive crowd of 104,306 as Arch Manning scored three touchdowns.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Football

Texas Holds Off Ole Miss in 34-27 Victory

Live Poll

Should college football teams take more risks like fake punts during tight games?

Longhorns fans at the University of Texas saw the team hold off Ole Miss in a 34-27 victory, though a surprise 17-yard fake punt from punter Oscar Bird briefly shifted momentum for the Rebels. The play highlighted a high-energy game attended by 104,306 people at the stadium.

Why it matters

The matchup showcased the Longhorns' ability to maintain control despite aggressive play-calling from their opponents. With the team holding a commanding 24-3 lead in the first half, the game demonstrated both the defensive resilience and the offensive spark required to secure the win in a packed house.

Official stadium attendance reached 104,306 for the game. While Texas secured a 34-27 final victory, the exact implications of this outcome for future bowl projections remain to be determined.

The players

Arch Manning

The University of Texas quarterback who scored three touchdowns during the game.

Oscar Bird

The 25-year-old punter for Ole Miss who converted a fake punt for 17 yards.

University of Texas at Austin

The institution that hosted the game at its home stadium.

The details

Oscar Bird initiated the play on fourth and six, faking a punt before scrambling 17 yards down the right sideline to pick up a first down for the Rebels. The daring run provided a temporary spark for the visitors, who fought back from a 24-3 deficit late in the first half. Arch Manning led the Longhorns' response, ultimately recording three touchdowns to ensure the home team closed out the win.

Timeline

  1. The game between Texas and Ole Miss took place on October 24-25, 2026.

The Texas Context

This win follows the established pattern of high-scoring home games defining the 2026 Texas Longhorns football season. The result repeats the team's trend of maintaining defensive discipline despite aggressive, unpredictable tactical choices from non-conference opponents.

Fans heading to campus for upcoming home games should anticipate heavy traffic and restricted parking in the areas surrounding the stadium. Residents in the immediate vicinity may experience increased noise and pedestrian congestion throughout game weekends.

The takeaway

Expect high-stakes matchups at the stadium to continue drawing massive crowds for the remainder of the season. Keep an eye on future ticket releases and traffic advisories as the Longhorns' home schedule progresses through the fall.

Further reading

Keep up with the latest game recaps and team analysis on the Football page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Nine.

Live Poll

Should college football teams take more risks like fake punts during tight games?