Arch Manning hits 4-yarder with 3 seconds left to sink No. 24 LSU in Baton Rouge

Three seconds remained on the clock at Tiger Stadium when Arch Manning found Raleek Brown for a 4-yard touchdown pass along the left sideline. The score gave the No. 8 Texas Longhorns a 22-21 victory over the No. 24 LSU Tigers on Saturday night.

The win keeps Texas, now 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the SEC, in strong position for a College Football Playoff berth. The result effectively ends the postseason hopes for LSU, which falls to 6-4 overall and 3-4 in conference play. The Longhorns were outgained 366 yards to 273, but their defense forced three takeaways and recorded three sacks to secure the stop that started the final drive.

Texas entered the final two minutes down 21-16 from its own 42-yard line. Manning converted three third downs, using a 5-yard pass and two rushing plays, to set up the decisive strike. He passed for 174 yards and one touchdown on 19 of 35 attempts, while also adding a rushing score earlier in the contest. The drive culminated near the end zone where Manning’s parents, Cooper and Ellen, were seated.

Manning, who was raised in New Orleans, noted the emotional weight of winning in the state where he grew up. He pointed out to teammates where he sat as a child during previous games at the stadium. "It means the world," Manning said. "I was pointing out to some of my teammates where I sat at these games growing up. So, just coming back home, getting it done in the last few seconds, it's a memory I'll have for the rest of my life."

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns to Jackson Harris, but he was intercepted three times, all by Texas safety Jelani McDonald. The Tigers also missed a 38-yard field goal at the end of the first half, which closed with LSU leading 14-10. Dilin Jones gave LSU a 21-10 lead with a 44-yard run late in the third quarter, but Texas kicker Gianni Spetic narrowed the gap with field goals of 41 and 50 yards.

The victory marks the third generation of Mannings to win at Tiger Stadium. Archie Manning led Mississippi to a win there in 1968, and Eli Manning achieved the same feat with his team in 2001. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin acknowledged the outcome was a loss regardless of the close margin. "We lost. It doesn't matter we were 7 seconds from winning," Kiffin said. Texas will host Arkansas next Saturday, while LSU travels to No. 9 Tennessee.