Texas quarterback Arch Manning celebrates following a win over Ole Miss. Photo courtesy of AP, Stephen Spillman.

Texas needed every bit of a fourth-quarter answer to avoid a third consecutive week of misery, surviving a 34-27 win over Ole Miss on Saturday in a game that swung wildly from a blowout to a dogfight.

The Longhorns took control of this game early. Arch Manning threw for 171 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone, and Texas piled up more than 250 total yards to build a commanding 24-3 lead at the break. Head coach Steve Sarkisian had reportedly given backup QB KJ Lacey Jr. an uptick in first team reps in preparation for this game, so Manning knew he had to impress.

Then the Rebels woke up. The Ole Miss defense turned a strip-sack into a touchdown on the opening drive of the third quarter, a play that seemed to rattle both Manning and the offense.

Texas’ offense then disappeared, managing just 19 total yards in the third as Ole Miss clawed its way back and tied the game at 24 to begin the fourth quarter. Manning threw a second interception on the ensuing possession, but Texas’s defense bailed him out with a stop.

With new life, Manning led a 80-yard drive in six plays, capping the drive himself with his second rushing touchdown of the night to put Texas back in front. Ole Miss wasn’t done – the Rebels recovered an onside kick and drove inside Texas’s 30-yard line with a chance to tie it, but Trinidad Chambliss’ final throw was intercepted in the end zone as time expired.

This marks the third straight game Texas has blown a double-digit lead, a pattern that will keep drawing scrutiny no matter how many of these comeback wins Manning delivers.

For Ole Miss, there are some real lessons to be learned here. Head coach Pete Golding has had to defend his decision to attempt a late 58-yard field goal in the loss. Things won’t be getting easier for the Rebels, as Kewan Lacy has been ruled out for next week’s game against Auburn.

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