Texas didn’t waste any time giving its fans something to smile about Friday night.
The Longhorns came out sharp against Texas State and turned the first half into a showcase, with Arch Manning quickly finding a rhythm and the defense making life miserable for the Bobcats. By halftime, Texas was in control, up 28-7, and the mood around the program had shifted fast.
Manning needed just one drive to get the fireworks started. He hit Cam Coleman for the first touchdown connection between the two, then followed that up a few minutes later with another scoring strike, this time to Ryan Wingo. Texas kept rolling from there when Manning handed off to Raleek Brown for a 13-yard rushing touchdown, and the defense added to the avalanche when Rasheem Biles forced a fumble and Graceson Littleton returned it 59 yards for a score.
That stretch sent Texas fans into full buy-in mode. The reaction online made it clear that whatever hesitation was left was gone in a hurry.
"Longhorns fc we can smile again pic.twitter.com/noX7PORFe5"
- JK (@fcjakhai) September 5, 2026
"Texas handling business as if there was ever a doubt. #Longhorns"
- Ancient Layman (@AncientLayman) September 5, 2026
"An improved offensive line, an incredible running back room, an even better receiving corps, and a continuously dominant defense were all on display over the first 30 minutes."
- Juan Jose Munoz Jr (@JuanJoseMunozJ4) September 5, 2026
"⚠️ NATIONAL ALERT ⚠️ The Longhorns have a running game! 🤘🤘🤘 https://t.co/1mrFOHUK0S"
- Horns 20/20 Podcast (@Horns2020Pod) September 5, 2026
Even after Texas State finally got on the board, and even after Manning threw an interception with six seconds left before halftime, the first 30 minutes had already done plenty to calm nerves. The Longhorns weren’t perfect, but they were clean, fast, and explosive.
"Arch Manning Heisman 🔒"
- James Laverty (@jjlavs2) September 5, 2026
Steve Sarkisian didn’t pretend otherwise. He pointed to the need to keep steady after the inevitable rough patch.
"Regroup. The games are never gonna be perfect," head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "It's how you respond to adversity."
Manning finished the half 15-of-20 for 203 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Brown and Hollywood Smothers combined for 81 rushing yards, while true-freshman running back Derrek Cooper added six yards on the ground.
The line of scrimmage was another big story. Texas’ offensive line gave Manning a better pocket to work with, and the defensive front kept setting the tone while Will Muschamp’s aggressive approach was on display.
"Will Muschamp + playmakers = elite Texas defense. pic.twitter.com/nyd8Qlkpax"
- Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) September 5, 2026
Biles’ forced fumble was the most obvious example, but the defense also limited Texas State’s up-tempo attack to seven first-half points. The secondary had some issues, though, allowing 138 passing yards to Brad Jackson, who kept finding Chris Dawn Jr. and Beau Sparks.
There’s still another half to play, but Texas gave its fans plenty to feel good about before the break.
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Texas Showed Off Serious Firepower But One Concern Isn't Going Away
Texas wasted little time showing why it is expected to carry so much offensive punch this season, rolling past Texas State 59-7 in its 2026 opener and getting production from all over the field. Smothers made an impact as both a runner and receiver, while Coleman and Wingo helped stretch the Bobcats with a combined 10 catches, 191 yards and three touchdowns, giving the Longhorns the kind of easy early rhythm that can make a September game feel over by halftime.
The bigger question for Texas still sits on the other side of the ball, where the defense flashed with some notable plays but also showed coverage issues that stronger opponents are likely to test more aggressively. Against Texas State, those mistakes never threatened the outcome, but they were visible enough to keep the spotlight on a unit that will need to tighten up as the schedule gets more demanding. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Fans Endured A Brutal Season Opener Beyond The Blowout
The opener in Austin was supposed to be a feel-good start to a new season, and Texas delivered on the scoreboard with a lopsided win over Texas State. Arch Manning wasted little time setting the tone, throwing for 305 yards and four touchdowns before leaving early in a 59-7 rout, giving Longhorns fans plenty to enjoy once the football settled in.
But the afternoon was punishing long before the final margin felt safe, with temperatures climbing above 100 degrees and multiple heat-related incidents forcing medical attention in the stands. Even in a game that turned quickly in Texas favor, much of the conversation around the opener centered on how fans scrambled for relief in the stadium's shaded pockets, a reminder that the toughest part of the day sometimes had little to do with the opponent. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Home Opener Sparked An Uncomfortable Heat Safety Debate
Extreme heat turned Texas home opener against Texas State into more than just a rout on the field, with the conditions in Austin creating a safety issue in the stands before the Longhorns 59-7 win ever stopped feeling like the main event. The game drew the kind of September attention that usually centers on an early-season tune-up, but the temperature quickly shifted the focus to how fans were handling a brutal afternoon in the sun.
Several spectators were hospitalized for heat-related problems, and the scene inside Darrell K. Royal Stadium underscored how punishing the weather had become. Even with Texas rolling on the scoreboard, the bigger conversation after the opener was not about the size of the win, but about what it took just to make it through the day in the stands. [Read more 🡒]