Texas beats LSU 22-21 as Arch Manning overcomes three interceptions

Arch Manning overcame three interceptions and found Raleek Brown for a 4-yard touchdown with three seconds left as Texas beat LSU 22-21 at Tiger Stadium on Saturday night.

Texas began its final possession at its own 42-yard line, down 21-16 with 2:19 remaining. On the 12-play drive, Manning picked up three third downs, two on runs, before connecting with Brown near the left sideline for the winner.

The victory kept No. 6 Texas in College Football Playoff contention and virtually eliminated No. 21 LSU in coach Lane Kiffin’s first season, ESPN reported.

"That's what it's all about: Death Valley at night, two-minute drive, let's go," Manning said.

"We lost. It doesn't matter we were 7 seconds from winning," Kiffin said. He called it "a really good Texas team" but said LSU has "a ways to go to be a dominant team and not play games this close."

LSU gained 366 yards to Texas’ 273. Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 244 yards, with Jackson Harris catching both of his touchdown passes.

LSU held a 14-10 halftime lead after missing a 38-yard field goal at the end of the half. In the third quarter, Dilin Jones ran 44 yards for a touchdown, putting LSU ahead 21-10 with 5:52 remaining.

Gianni Spetic brought Texas within 21-16 by kicking field goals from 41 and 50 yards. LSU punted on each of its four fourth-quarter possessions, USA Today reported.

Texas safety Jelani McDonald intercepted Leavitt three times, The Associated Press reported.

LSU fell to 6-4 with its second straight loss, following a defeat to Alabama a week earlier in which it also outgained its opponent. Texas improved to 8-2.

Manning finished with 174 passing yards, completing 19 of 35 attempts with three interceptions. He also rushed for 35 yards and scored an early touchdown on the ground, while taking four sacks, according to NBC Sports.

"What a drive at the end of the game to shake all that off. He competed at a real high level tonight against a really good defense," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said.

Manning, a New Orleans native who went to games at Tiger Stadium as a child, embraced his father, Cooper, before going to the locker room. Cooper had walked down to a front-row spot behind the end zone.

Manning said Texas "talked about having the chance to end someone else's dream."

USA Today columnist Blake Toppmeyer wrote that LSU’s spending on its coach and roster had produced no substantial win.

Manning’s interceptions prompted posts on X questioning his NFL future. "Late heroics or not, Arch Manning gonna get an NFL GM fired so fast," Kyle Tucker wrote.

Late heroics or not, Arch Manning gonna get an NFL GM fired so fast.

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTuckerCBB) November 15, 2026

ProFootballTalk wrote that Texas will almost certainly reach the playoff, with the Longhorns expected to be heavy favorites against Arkansas and Texas A&M in their final two games. Texas hosts Arkansas next Saturday.

LSU travels to No. 9 Tennessee that day before finishing its regular season at Arkansas.