Texas Beat Missouri 34-20 as Manning Throws Three Touchdowns in Columbia

No. 7 Texas beat No. 18 Missouri 34-20 at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri, on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. Texas trailed 20-13 in the third quarter and scored 21 unanswered points to close the game. Arch Manning threw three touchdown passes, and Texas improved to 7-2 while Missouri fell to 6-3.

Both teams came in at 6-2. Texas held the No. 7 spot and Missouri the No. 18 spot in the first College Football Playoff rankings, so the loser faced a hard road back into the playoff picture. Missouri now has that problem. Texas leaves Columbia with its record and its ranking case intact.

Missouri started fast, then the game levelled out

Missouri scored first. A seven play, 68 yard drive ended with a touchdown pass to tight end Brett Norfleet, and Missouri led 7-0 in the first quarter. Texas tied the game on a 24 yard throwback screen touchdown to Derrek Cooper.

The game was tied 10-10 at half time. The loudest Texas play of the first half came on special teams. Sophomore Johnathan Cunningham blocked a Missouri punt in the second quarter. It was the first blocked punt by Texas since the 2023 Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma.

Missouri led again, and Texas answered three times

Missouri went back in front in the third quarter. Naeshaun Montgomery caught a pass on the sideline and raced 72 yards for a touchdown, and Missouri led 20-13. Texas tied it at 20-20 on Manning's 25 yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Bishop Jr.

The tying drive survived a disputed call. Manning was hit as he threw, the play was ruled a fumble on the field, and the ruling stood after review. Texas recovered its own fumble and kept the ball, then scored on the Bishop touchdown.

Raleek Brown gave Texas its first lead of the game with 5:03 left. He scored on a 23 yard wheel route touchdown, and Texas led 27-20. Late in the game, Graceson Littleton intercepted Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons and returned the ball to the goal line. Brown ran eight yards for the touchdown that made it 34-20. The Texas defense then forced a turnover on downs to end the game.

Manning's clean line decided the finish

Manning finished 28 of 38 passing for 297 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. In a game that turned on one reviewed fumble ruling and one late interception, the Texas quarterback gave the ball away zero times. Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz and his team now go to Georgia on Nov. 14, then host Kentucky and Oklahoma. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian takes a 7-2 team home with the stronger playoff case of the two.