Arch Manning delivered the best performance of his collegiate career on Saturday, heroically rallying No. 20 Texas from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Mississippi State in a 45-38 overtime thriller. Manning threw for a career-high 346 yards and three touchdowns, adding one on the ground, as the Longhorns secured their third straight victory.
However, the euphoria of the comeback was immediately overshadowed by the star quarterback’s exit from the game. On the very first play of overtime, Manning scrambled for a first down but took a hard hit that slammed his head against the turf. After being evaluated in the medical tent, he did not return, forcing backup Matthew Caldwell to throw the game-winning touchdown pass.
Texas now prepares for a massive SEC clash this Saturday against the surging No. 9 Vanderbilt Commodores in Austin, with both teams fighting to keep their College Football Playoff aspirations alive. For Texas to sustain its momentum, the quarterback position is paramount, but coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed Monday that Arch Manning is currently in concussion protocol and did not practice. Sarkisian noted the team expects a further update on Manning's status later in the week. If Manning is ultimately sidelined, the Longhorns will turn to graduate transfer Matthew Caldwell to lead the offense against the Commodores.
Here are the latest updates on Manning's status for the game against Vanderbilt.
MORE: Arch Manning injury updates
Is Arch Manning playing this week?
Manning is off Texas' injury report and is set to start on Saturday.
Arch Manning is off the Texas injury report. He’s set to start against Vanderbilt https://t.co/ppZi52rSTp
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 1, 2025
Manning returned to practice on Wednesday, though his game status wasn't determined until Friday.
"They both practiced here today," Sarkisian said of Manning and safety Michael Taffe on Oct. 29."Arch is obviously still in protocol. There’s steps as it pertains to protocol."
Ahead of Saturday's game, On3's Pete Nakos had reported that Manning was a considered a gametime decision.
Texas QB Arch Manning is a game-time decision against Vanderbilt, sources tell @On3sports.Https://t.co/aVNXFLRSne https://t.co/oa8m3sseIK pic.twitter.com/Qot3a9mP2O
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) October 31, 2025
ESPN's Molly McGrath also reported that Texas hoped to have Manning available for the top-20 matchup.
“The Longhorns are hopeful that Manning will be available for this game.”@MollyMcGrath12 with an update on Arch Manning's status for Saturday ✍️ pic.twitter.com/mr8A5Wk3f1
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 31, 2025
What happened to Arch Manning?
On the first play of overtime, Manning scrambled for a first down, took a hit, and had his head violently slam into the turf. He was immediately removed from the game, forcing backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell to throw the game-winning touchdown.
Arch Manning gets his head RUNG on the first play of OT.
— Kalshi CFB (@KalshiCFB) October 26, 2025
He’s in the medical tent and is OUT the rest of the game 🚨
pic.twitter.com/QM8dFhKt88
On Monday, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed that Manning is currently in concussion protocol and did not practice with the team. According to NCAA regulations, he must clear a multi-step physical and cognitive progression, overseen by the team physician, initially making his status for the highly anticipated SEC showdown in Austin questionable.
Now, Manning is set to return to action.
MORE: Three key numbers from Texas' Week 9 win
Arch Manning injury update
After leaving the game and not returning on Saturday, Manning entered concussion protocol. He returned to practice on Wednesday and was taken off the Longhorns' injury report on Friday.
NCAA football concussion protocols
Manning has been placed into the NCAA concussion protocol following the head injury he sustained during the overtime period against Mississippi State.
This immediate and mandatory removal from play is the first step in the protocol, ensuring the athlete cannot return to practice or competition on the same calendar day. As he was not present at practice on Monday, the beginning of the week is dedicated to symptom-limited physical and cognitive rest, strictly monitored by the team's medical staff.
For Manning to return, he must first become completely symptom-free and then receive written clearance from the team physician. Following that medical clearance, he must undergo a supervised, multi-step, graduated return-to-play progression. This typically involves a minimum of six stages -- each lasting at least 24 hours -- that gradually increase his activity level, moving from light aerobic exercise to sport-specific drills, and finally to full-contact practice. If symptoms reappear at any stage, he must drop back to the previous level of rest.
The final determination of an unrestricted return is made solely by the team physician or a qualified medical designee, and only after the player has successfully completed all stages of the progression without any recurrence of symptoms. This strict process means Manning's availability for the upcoming game against Vanderbilt will depend on how quickly his symptoms subside and how rapidly he progresses through the mandatory step-by-step protocol.
MORE: Texas QB Arch Manning suffers concussion vs. Mississippi State, per report
Texas remaining 2025 schedule
Texas has four games remaining, with three of them being against top-10 opponents.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| 11/1 | vs No. 9 Vanderbilt | 12:00 PM |
| 11/15 | at No. 5 Georgia | TBD |
| 11/22 | vs. Arkansas | TBD |
| 11/28 | vs. No. 3 Texas A&M | 7:30 PM |
MORE: Texas escapes in Starkville but questions linger for Arch Manning