DALLAS – Steve Sarkisian’s conservative play-calling and Arch Manning’s late-game missteps cost Texas dearly in a heartbreaking 27-24 loss to unranked Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday.
Trailing by just three points late in the fourth quarter, Texas had a golden opportunity to seize control of the game. Instead, decisions from both the coaching staff and the rookie quarterback led to a collapse that resonated far beyond the confines of the historic rivalry.
Manning, lauded for his elite arm talent and poise under pressure, has shown remarkable flashes—including last month’s stunning comeback win over Ohio State—but also demonstrated a troubling tendency toward costly turnovers.
“I think Texas beat Texas,” said Longhorns defensive end Colin Simmons succinctly after the game.
That sentiment reflected a broader frustration within the program, one marked by inconsistency despite undeniable talent across the roster.
With 1:55 remaining and the score tied at 24-all, Sarkisian made a puzzling choice—eschewing a manageable fourth-and-2 at Oklahoma’s 35-yard line in favor of a 53-yard field goal attempt. The kick sailed wide right, gifting possession back to the Sooners with ample time to mount a final drive.
“Did I think we had a really good play call that could get us the first down?” Sarkisian admitted postgame. “That was my thinking.”
His hesitation echoed throughout the stadium. In a game where Texas amassed over $4 million in transfers and boasted NFL prospects on both lines, many questioned why confidence waned precisely when execution mattered most.
On the ensuing possession, Manning faced intense pressure from Oklahoma’s secondary. Attempting to navigate traffic, he attempted a hurried throw toward the right sideline—an ill-advised pass that bounced off receiver Jalen Sanders’ hands and was intercepted by Sooners safety Courtland Guillory deep in Texas territory.
Three plays later, Oklahoma converted the short field into points, sealing victory via a 47-yard field goal by transfer kicker Tate Sandell with no time left on the clock.
Despite the devastating outcome, Texas remains among the nation’s elite contenders heading into the playoff race. Their dominant showing against then-No. 2 Ohio State looms large amid these setbacks.
“We’ve got a ton of belief in what we’re doing,” Sarkisian emphasized during his postgame press conference, refusing to relinquish play-calling duties or alter his special teams coordination structure despite recurring issues including a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.
“One ugly loss doesn’t mean the whole program is crumbling.”
However, questions linger. Can Sarkisian reconcile his tactical choices moving forward? And can Manning maintain composure under duress while avoiding self-inflicted errors?
These concerns aren’t new—they’ve shadowed each high-stakes performance since his arrival in Austin. Yet now, more than ever, they carry weight given the stakes involved.
As the dust settles on yet another dramatic chapter in college football’s grandest stage, attention turns squarely toward redemption—and whether lessons learned here translate into future triumphs come January.
The Texas Longhorns leave the field following their loss to the Oklahoma Sooners 27-24 in the Red River Rivalry game in Dallas, Oct. 10, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
Only time will tell if lessons from defeat fuel growth—or repeat past mistakes.
