Arch Manning injury: Texas quarterback exits vs. Mississippi State in overtime after hitting head on turf

Texas quarterback Arch Manning left his team’s win over Mississippi State on Saturday after the first play of overtime after appearing to hit his head on the turf. Manning rushed for 13 yards on the play and was met by a defender on the way down. Manning was shown leaving the field with trainers and entering the medical tent. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian had no update on Manning’s status after the game.

After Manning’s exit, Matthew Caldwell entered the game and threw what proved to be the game-winning touchdown pass: a 10-yard strike to Emmett Mosley V. The Texas defense then got the stop it needed on the ensuing possession to exit Starkville with a 45-38 victory.

Manning was also hit earlier in the game. He left the field and entered the medical tent after a touchdown in the first quarter, but was able to return to the game on the next drive. The No. 22 Longhorns trailed by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter, but Manning helped his team come back.

However, the most important play of the game came on special teams. Texas tied the game at 38 and sent the game into overtime after Ryan Niblett returned a kick 79 yards with 1:47 left in the fourth. The Longhorns went on to win it in overtime at 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the SEC. It was Texas’ second straight overtime victory on the road. The Longhorns beat Kentucky 16-13 last week.

Manning was having a career day before leaving the game. The former No. 1 recruit in the 2023 recruiting cycle by 247Sports completed 29 of 46 attempts for 346 yards and three touchdowns, and also added a 3-yard rushing touchdown to open the scoring for the Longhorns.