AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 05: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up before the game against the Texas State Bobcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 05: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up before the game against the Texas State Bobcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images · Getty Images

AUSTIN, Texas — A season with high expectations gets under way for the No. 5 Texas Longhorns on Saturday against the Texas State Bobcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in a prelude to the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes coming to the Forty Acres next week.

First quarter

After Texas State received the opening kickoff, a touchback deep into the end zone, Texas gave up a first down on three short completions, but inflicted a tackle for loss on a second-down running play and got pressure on Bobcats quarterback Brad Jackson to force a throwaway on third down under pressure from fifth-year defensive tackle Hero Kanu.

A bad snap to the Texas State punter impacted his rhythm, leading to a shank out of bounds only 17 yards past the line of scrimmage, affording Texas favorable field position at its own 44-yard line.

Lined up in 12 personnel, the first touch went to senior running back Hollywood Smothers, who bounced the run outside behind blocks from sophomore tight end Nick Townsend and junior wide receiver Ryan Wingo, made two defenders miss in the open field, and got down the sideline for a 45-yard gain.

Two plays later, on 3rd and 5, junior wide receiver Cam Coleman beat an attempt to jam him at the line of scrimmage and left the Texas State cornerback falling to the ground on an easy six-yard touchdown catch, his first touch for the Longhorns.

With the Bobcats facing 3rd and 11, the Longhorns made their first big mistake of the season when sophomore cornerback Kade Phillips was flagged for pass interference down the sideline on a hopeful throw by Jackson. Texas State was able to gain another first down, but when Jackson pulled the ball, senior linebacker Rasheem Biles had contain. Going for it on fourth down, Jackson had his pass batted down at the line of scrimmage by junior defensive tackle Alex January for a turnover on downs.

Facing its own fourth down, senior quarterback Arch Manning found Wingo on a wheel route before connecting with senior tight end Spencer Shannon for 11 yards, the first career target and catch for the Mater Dei product. On the next play, Wingo found the end zone on jet sweep, a pass credited to Manning that turned into an eight-yard touchdown with help from Shannon and Townsend blocking on the edge.

On a drive that started with a 22-yard run by Jaylen Jenkins, Texas State created another explosive play when Jackson scrambled to find an outlet receiver down the sideline for 25 yards to the Texas 5-yard line. A one-yard gain up the middle ended the first quarter.

Source: Yahoo Sports