In a game that will be remembered for its wild momentum swings and late-game heroics, the No. 22 Texas Longhorns clawed back from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Mississippi State 45–38 in overtime on October 25, 2025, in Starkville. The victory, sealed by backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell’s overtime touchdown pass, capped a dramatic comeback that began with star QB Arch Manning sidelined by injury late in regulation.
The Comeback That Defied the Odds
Texas appeared headed for a crushing defeat after Mississippi State surged to a 31–14 lead early in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on a Longhorns defense that struggled to contain Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen, who threw for a career-high 381 yards and four touchdowns. But the Longhorns refused to fold. Manning, before exiting with an apparent injury, orchestrated multiple scoring drives, finishing with 346 passing yards, three touchdowns, and a rushing score.
The turning point came with just 1:47 left in regulation, when Ryan Niblett electrified the Texas sideline with a 79-yard punt return touchdown to tie the game at 38–38. Kicker Mason Shipley had earlier nailed a 26-yard field goal to keep Texas within striking distance. In overtime, the Longhorns’ defense—which recorded seven sacks, including four in the final five minutes of regulation and OT—stiffened, setting the stage for Caldwell’s game-winning toss to Emmett Mosley.
Manning’s Injury Casts Shadow Over Triumph
While the comeback will dominate headlines, the loss of Arch Manning to injury late in the game raises immediate questions about Texas’s prospects moving forward. Manning, a preseason Heisman hopeful, had been the engine of the Longhorns’ offense, and his status for upcoming games is now uncertain. The performance of backup Matthew Caldwell in relief—delivering under immense pressure—offers a silver lining but also underscores the fragility of Texas’s playoff aspirations.
Mississippi State, meanwhile, extended its SEC losing streak to 16 games despite Shapen’s career day and a valiant effort from the Bulldogs’ offense. The loss drops them to 4–4 overall and 0–4 in conference play, leaving head coach Jeff Lebby searching for answers as the season reaches its critical stretch.
What This Means for Both Teams
For Texas, the win keeps their hopes alive in a crowded Big 12 race, but the manner of victory—requiring another overtime escape after a similar scenario the previous week—exposes lingering concerns about consistency and defensive lapses. “A historic comeback win can’t hide preseason No. 1 Texas’ shortcomings,” noted one analyst, pointing to the Longhorns’ vulnerability against explosive offenses.
Mississippi State, despite the heartbreak, can take solace in Shapen’s emergence as a legitimate SEC quarterback. But until the Bulldogs solve their late-game defensive woes, moral victories will only go so far in the nation’s toughest conference.
Looking Ahead
Texas faces a pivotal stretch with Manning’s health in question and the meat of their schedule looming. The Longhorns’ resilience is undeniable, but their margin for error is shrinking. For Mississippi State, the search for that elusive SEC win continues, with the Bulldogs needing to finish strong to salvage bowl eligibility.
One thing is certain: college football fans won’t soon forget the chaos, drama, and sheer unpredictability of Texas vs. Mississippi State, 2025 edition.
Sources
1. No. 22 Texas Longhorns at Mississippi State Bulldogs - YouTube
2. College Football Betting Apps & Sites in October 2025
3. A historic comeback win can't hide preseason No. 1 Texas' shortcomings
4. No. 22 Texas 45, Mississippi State, 38: Longhorns pull off remarkable comeback in second straight OT win
5. Texas Longhorns vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs | Full Game Highlights
