This kick return TD could save Texas football amid another mediocre Arch Manning performance

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Texas football received a special-teams spark Saturday when Ryan Niblett returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown against the Florida Gators, helping the No. 7 Longhorns create separation while Arch Manning struggled to generate explosive offense.

Niblett fielded Alec Clark’s 48-yard punt at the Texas 37 with 11:27 left in the second quarter and raced through coverage into the end zone. Gianni Spetic’s extra point pushed the Longhorns’ lead to 17-3. The score marked Niblett’s first touchdown of 2026 and his third career punt-return touchdown, tying the Texas program record.

His previous punt-return scores came against Oklahoma and Mississippi State in 2025, giving Texas another proven source of explosive special-teams offense production.

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ClutchPoints shared the electric return on X, formerly Twitter, as the running back gave the Longhorns a crucial cushion before halftime.

63-YARD PUNT RETURN FOR A TD 😳

Ryan Niblett takes it all the way to the end zone for Texas!

pic.twitter.com/MzJmttKdVL

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 17, 2026

Manning completed 8 of 12 passes for 68 yards in the first half without a touchdown or interception. He also rushed three times for eight yards and took one sack as Florida kept the Texas passing game from producing a major breakthrough.

The Gators cut the deficit to 17-10 just before halftime on Tramell Jones Jr.’s touchdown pass, leaving the special-teams score as the difference through two quarters.

Texas entered Saturday at 4-1 and ranked No. 7 in the country after a loss to Oklahoma in Week 6. Niblett’s return gave the Longhorns an explosive play at a time when their offense had produced only one touchdown, a 32-yard Raleek Brown run in the first quarter.

With Texas leading 17-10 at halftime, the second half is set to begin in just moments, giving Manning another opportunity to find his rhythm after Niblett supplied the game’s biggest momentum-changing play.

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Related: Florida football’s Tramell Jones outshines Arch Manning in convincing manner during upset over Texas