The Texas football team still has an inside track to both the SEC championship game and the College Football Playoff following a 20-10 win at Arkansas on Saturday.
Ranked third and seeded second in the most-recent CFP projections, Texas was led offensively by receiver Matthew Golden’s two touchdown catches. The Texas defense got big performances from Alfred Collins, Jahdae Barron and Colin Simmons as Arkansas was held to 231 yards of offense.
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With the win, Texas (9-1, 5-1) also revived its rivalry with Arkansas (5-5, 3-4). The Southwest Conference co-founders had played just six times in the past 30 years, but UT now has a 57-23 lead in the series.
Here’s a recap of the game’s big moments and highlights:
Final: Texas 20, Arkansas 10
Texas survived a second-half challenge from Arkansas and kept in contention for a spot in the SEC championship game with a 10-point win. Texas is now 9-1 with a 5-1 mark in conference play.
Up next for UT is a home game on Nov. 23 against Kentucky (3-6, 1-6). Kentucky had built a 24-0 halftime lead over Murray State on Saturday when the Texas game ended.
4th (3:20): Texas 20, Arkansas 10
With Texas holding onto the football in Arkansas territory, the Razorbacks have started to burn their timeouts. Arkansas has two timeouts left, but UT has a first down inside its opponent’s 40-yard line.
4th (6:55): Texas 20, Arkansas 10
Needing a stop, Texas got one. After Arkansas drove to the Texas 39, UT defensive lineman Alfred Collins forced a fumble by Arkansas receiver CJ Brown that safety Michael Taaffe recovered. Texas has forced 11 turnovers over its last four games.
4th (9:05): Texas 20, Arkansas 10
Texas has responded to Arkansas with an eight-play touchdown drive, and the Longhorns again lead by 10 points. A 1-yard touchdown catch by Matthew Golden gave the receiver his second score of the day, and he has now caught five touchdown passes over his last three games.
Texas avoided disaster as it drove to the Arkansas end zone as running back Jaydon Blue fumbled at the end of a 28-yard gain. But the football bounced out of bounds at the Arkansas 14-yard line and UT maintained possession. Golden, who played with Blue at Klein Cain Highscored four plays later.
4th (12:48): Texas 13, Arkansas 10
Arkansas has chipped into the Texas lead with Matthew Shipley’s 44-yard field goal, but the Razorbacks wasted a chance to seize their first lead of the day. A big tackle of Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green by UT safety Andrew Mukuba was the key moment on the 10-play drive as the Razorbacks lost six yards on a first-down snap at the Texas 26.
End 3: Texas 13, Arkansas 7
Has Arkansas seized the momentum at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium? After scoring its first touchdown of the day, Arkansas forced a three-and-out from the Texas offense. The Razorbacks then started to drive down the field and will open the final quarter with a 2nd-and-7 attempt at the UT 37.
Texas has outscored its opponents by a 69-34 margin in fourth quarters this season.
3rd (3:39): Texas 13, Arkansas 7
After finally getting leading receiver Andrew Armstrong involved with two catches and 31 receiving yardsArkansas finally put together a sustained drive into Texas territory. A 1-yard touchdown run from former UT quarterback Ja’Quinden Jackson has given the Razorbacks their first points.
3rd (8:36): Texas 13, Arkansas 0
The start of the second half went alright for Texas as the Longhorns capped their first post-halftime possession with a 33-yard field goal by Bert Auburn. With 58 career field goals, Auburn is now tied with Kris Stockton and Jeff Ward for third place in the Texas record books. Cameron Dicker kicked a school-record 60 field goals from 2018-21.
Arkansas ran six plays on the first drive of the second half, but the Razorbacks lost five yards. The big plays for Texas on that possession were freshman edge rusher Colin Simmons’ second sack of the day and a tackle by senior defensive lineman Alfred Collins that drove Arkansas back seven yards.
3rd (14:56): Texas 10, Arkansas 0
Arkansas will open the second half with the football at its 14-yard line. Under head coach Sam Pittman, Arkansas is 5-21 when trailing at halftime.
Halftime: Texas 10, Arkansas 0
Texas will take a double-digit lead into halftime thanks to a strong defensive effort. Using four sacks of Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green and a Jahdae Barron interception, Texas limited Arkansas to 74 yards of offense in the first half. Averaging 483.6 yards per game, Arkansas entered this game ranked fifth nationally and second in the SEC in total offense.
Texas put together two scoring drives on offense in the first half, but the Longhorns were mostly held in check during a 158-yard half. Quarterback Quinn Ewers was sacked twice.
According to Texas, the Longhorns have won the last 21 times they took a lead into halftime. That streak dates back to a 41-34 loss at Oklahoma State on Oct. 22, 2022. That defeat in Stillwater, which featured Texas spoiling a 31-24 halftime advantage, was also UT’s last loss on the road.
2nd (11:15): Texas 10, Arkansas 0
Texas has expanded its lead with a 39-yard field goal by Bert Auburn. The field goal was the 57th of Auburn’s four-year college career, and he is now just one field goal shy of tying Kris Stockton and Jeff Ward for third place in the Texas record books.
During the 11-play scoring drive, Texas freshman running back Jerrick Gibson picked up three yards on a 4th-and-1 attempt at the Arkansas 36. Last week against Florida, Gibson rushed for a first down on a 4th-and-1 try at the Texas 24.
End 1: Texas 7, Arkansas 0
Arkansas marched into Texas territory near the end of the first quarter, but senior Alfred Collins and freshman Colin Simmons both sacked Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green to force a punt on the quarter’s final play. After an 8-yard punt, UT will open the second quarter at the Arkansas 48-yard line.
Texas has outscored its opponents by a 91-17 margin in the first quarter this season.
1st (7:23): Texas 7, Arkansas 0
Texas has scored first on a touchdown pass from Quinn Ewers to a wide-open Matthew Golden. The 20-yard touchdown was Golden’s seventh this season, and the Houston transfer has scored on four of his last six catches.
The six-play, 61-yard touchdown drive was set up by senior cornerback Jahdae Barron’s team-leading fourth interception of the season. The turnover forced by the Thorpe Award semifinalist gave UT the football at its 39-yard line.
1st (12:57): Texas 0, Arkansas 0
A sack of Quinn Ewers has ended UT’s first drive of the day. The Longhorns picked up an early first down, but their drive stalled after reaching their 45-yard line and punter Michael Kern made his first appearance.
Over its 10 games, Texas has scored on just two of its opening possessions. Over those first drives, Texas has punted three times, thrown three interceptions and missed two field goals.
1st (15:00): Texas 0, Arkansas 0
Texas won the opening coin toss in Fayetteville and has elected to receive the opening kickoff. Over its 10 games this season, Texas has won six coin tosses. Steve Sarkisian has deferred after just three of those wins.
Representing Texas as captains today were quarterback Quinn Ewers, offensive lineman Jake Majors, edge rusher Trey Moore and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.
Texas injury report
There weren’t many surprises on the Texas availability report that was released just ahead of Saturday’s game. Running backs Christian Clark (Achilles), CJ Baxter (knee) and Velton Gardner (eye) have all suffered season-ending injuries. As has safety Derek Williams Jr. (knee). But edge rusher Colton Vasek will miss his second straight game, and linebacker Morice Blackwell Jr., has also been ruled out. Both role players, Blackwell and Vasek have combined for 27 tackles this season.
Arkansas injury report
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green and leading rusher Ja’Quinden Jackson have been removed from the Razorbacks’ injury report. A running back who was once a Texas quarterback, Jackson had missed Arkansas’ last two games with an ankle injury.
Defensive backs Selman Bridges, Jaylon Braxton and Anthony Switzer, defensive lineman Anton Juncaj and kicker Kyle Ramsey have been ruled out for Arkansas. Ramsey is Arkansas’ second-leading scorer since he has kicked seven field goals and 23 extra points this season, but he also hasn’t played since Oct. 5.
What channel is Texas vs Arkansas on today?
Texas’ game versus Arkansas will be broadcast on ABC. Streaming options for the game include Watch ESPN and Fubo, which is offering a free trial for its streaming service.
Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Katie George (sideline) will be the broadcast crew.
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ANALYSIS:Arkansas’ defense has a key weakness. Will Texas football alter its approach to attack it?
Texas vs Arkansas start time Week 12
- Date: Nov. 16
- Start time: 11 a.m.
- Location: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
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Texas vs Arkansas predictions, picks, betting odds
Odds courtesy of Bet MGM as of Wednesday, Nov. 13.
Texas is favored by 13½ points.
- Spread: Texas by 13½
- Over/under: 57½
- Moneyline: Texas (-550), Arkansas (+400)
GAME-BY-GAME PREDICTIONS: How Texas can end up 11-1 this season
Texas, Arkansas are old rivals
Texas and Arkansas have played 79 times before. The Longhorns hold a 56-23 lead in the overall series.
Since Arkansas left a Southwest Conference it helped form after the 1991 season, the Longhorns and Razorbacks have played just six times. Arkansas has won four of those matchups. Back during the 2021 season, Arkansas recorded a 40-21 win over UT in Fayetteville.
Texas football schedule 2024
Longhorns’ season record: 5-1
All times in CT.
- Aug. 31: Texas beat. Colorado State, 52-0
- Sept. 7: Texas beat Michigan, 31-12
- Sept. 14: Texas beat UTSA, 56-7
- Sept. 21: Texas beat ULM, 51-3
- Sept. 28: Texas beat Mississippi State, 35-13
- Oct. 12: Texas beat Oklahoma, 34-3
- Oct. 19: Texas lost to Georgia, 30-15
- Oct. 26: Texas beat Vanderbilt, 27-24
- Nov. 9: Texas beat Florida, 49-17
- Nov. 16 at Arkansas, 11 a.m.
- Nov. 23 vs. Kentucky, TBD
- Nov. 30 at Texas A&M, TBD
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(This story was updated to change a video.)
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