Texas Survives Vanderbilt’s Late Surge to Take 34–31 Thriller in Austin

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On Saturday, November 1 2025, the Vanderbilt Commodores visited the Texas Longhorns in a high-stakes SEC matchup that delivered drama, momentum swings, and a rally that nearly rewrote the story. Ultimately, Texas held on for a 34-31 victory, leaving Vanderbilt with a taste of what might have been.

Setting the Scene

#9 Vanderbilt (7-2, 3-2 SEC) traveled to Austin to face #20 Texas (7-2, 4-1 SEC).
Texas quarterback Arch Manning returned from concussion protocol and delivered a big performance, setting the tone early.
Vanderbilt knew a win here would bolster its SEC title hopes; Texas wanted to reassert its form and stay in the playoff hunt.

How the Game Unfolded

First Half:

Texas struck immediately: on the very first play from scrimmage, Arch Manning connected on a 75-yard touchdown to wide receiver Ryan Wingo.
Texas built a substantial lead (24-10) by late in the third quarter, leveraging solid offense and a strong start.

Vanderbilt’s Rally:

Facing a 24-10 deficit with time running out, Vanderbilt’s quarterback Diego Pavia fought back: he scrambled for a 25-yard touchdown and later hit an explosive 67-yard scoring pass to Eli Stowers in the fourth quarter.
The momentum was clearly shifting as Vanderbilt closed the gap to 34-31.

Climactic Finish:

With seconds remaining, Vanderbilt attempted an onside kick—but the ball bounced between players and ultimately went out of bounds, giving Texas the win and ending Vanderbilt’s comeback hopes.

What Went Right / What Went Wrong

What Went Right for Texas:

Manning’s 328 passing yards and three touchdowns set the tone.
The Longhorns executed early—building a lead and forcing Vanderbilt into playing catch-up.
Their protection of Manning and effective offensive line play were key (“best protection he’s gotten all year” per coach).

What Went Right for Vanderbilt:

Despite falling behind, Vanderbilt showed resilience: Pavia’s late surge and big plays showcased the team’s potential.
The offensive adjustment in the fourth quarter produced big chunks of yardage and scoring.

What Went Wrong for Vanderbilt:

The early deficit proved too large; Tennessee built much of its lead with Vanderbilt playing from behind.
Vanderbilt’s onside-kick attempt failed at a critical moment—momentum and possession slipped away.
Even though the rally was impressive, initial deficits and perhaps lapses in execution earlier in the game left too much to do.

Implications Moving Forward

For Vanderbilt: This loss damages their SEC title hopes. A win here could have elevated them significantly in rankings; now they must rebound strongly.
For Texas: The victory keeps them on track for a high postseason position and gives the team confidence in late-game situations.
For both: The game serves as a reminder of the margin for error in the SEC—early starts, key plays, and special-teams moments (like the onside kick) matter.

Final Thought

In this matchup, Texas proved it could take control early and withstand a dramatic comeback attempt. Vanderbilt showed character and capability, but the hole they dug themselves into proved too deep to fully climb out of. This game will linger for Vanderbilt—for what might have been—but also likely galvanize them for what still lies ahead.