Colin Simmons tied Texas’s single-game record with five sacks as the top-ranked Longhorns beat No. 14 Tennessee 20–17 on Saturday, holding off a late rally that reached the final play at Neyland Stadium.
Texas recorded 10 sacks, its second-highest total in school history, and held Tennessee to 221 yards. According to Texas Athletics, Simmons matched Shane Dronett’s individual record, while five other Longhorns added one sack apiece.
The Longhorns improved to 4–0 overall and 1–0 in the Southeastern Conference. Tennessee fell to 3–1 and 0–1 after nearly erasing a 10-point deficit late in the fourth quarter.
Raleek Brown’s four-yard touchdown run gave Texas a 20–10 lead with 5:41 remaining. Tennessee answered with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Faizon Brandon to Mike Matthews with 1:22 left, then recovered the ensuing onside kick through linebacker Arion Carter.
Carter recovered at the Tennessee 49-yard line, leaving the Volunteers one more possession to pursue the upset. Texas broke up Brandon’s final throw into the end zone as time expired.
Texas took a 7–0 lead on Brown’s nine-yard touchdown run during its opening possession and led 10–3 at halftime. Qua Moss returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to tie the game before Gianni Spetic restored Texas’s lead with a 44-yard field goal.
Arch Manning completed 14 of 19 passes for 201 yards with one interception. Brown finished with 67 rushing yards and both Texas touchdowns, while Ryan Wingo led the Longhorns with six catches for 74 yards.
Tennessee’s defense kept the game close, holding Texas to 61 rushing yards and three conversions on 12 third downs. The Volunteers recorded six sacks, including 2.5 from Tyree Weathersby, and Carter finished with 11 tackles.
Brandon went 17 of 29 for 145 yards and one touchdown without an interception. Matthews supplied 72 of those yards on four catches, including the late scoring reception that brought Tennessee within a field goal.
Texas next plays Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl on October 10. Tennessee stays home to face Auburn on October 3 after losing the first on-campus meeting between the Volunteers and Longhorns.
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This page is an original Sporting Page summary. The reporting remains with Texas game report.
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