Texas Shocks Vanderbilt with Electrifying 75-Yard TD on Opening Play—What Happened Next Will Leave You Speechless

Texas football’s playoff hopes have been hanging by a thread, but if there’s any team equipped to resuscitate those dreams down the stretch, it’s the No. 20 Longhorns. And boy, did they come out swinging against No. 9 Vanderbilt! On the very first snap, Arch Manning found Ryan Wingo, who turned a routine screen pass into a breathtaking 75-yard touchdown dash that electrified the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium crowd. It begs the question: can a single play ignite a season and spark a Longhorn resurgence, or is this just the opening act of a much larger comeback story? With the momentum now firmly in Austin’s corner and Manning looking sharp after a scary concussion scare, Steve Sarkisian’s squad might just be ready to roar louder than ever as November unfolds. LEARN MORE.

Texas football’s Playoff aspirations are on life support, but they can be revived over the final month of the regular season. The No. 20 Longhorns are wasting no time in their resurrection quest, as they struck first against No. 9 Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon. Arch Manning, on the first play of the game, threw a screen pass that wide receiver Ryan Wingo delivered all the way into the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown, via Justin Wells’ X account.

Austin is roaring following the electric start to this must-win SEC showdown. Following two hard-fought road matchups versus Kentucky and Mississippi State, this team understands the importance of setting the tone and maintaining control. Wingo’s elusiveness put the Longhorns on top and injected a shot of adrenaline into Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, one that they hope lasts all day long.

FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME — TEXAS GOES 75 YARDS FOR THE TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/PhBJESc86d

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 1, 2025

Texas has certainly been running with momentum since the game-opening score. Manning, who had been in concussion protocol before ultimately being cleared for action, threw for 140-plus passing yards and two TDs in the first quarter. Steve Sarkisian’s squad leads the Commodores 17-0 at time of print.

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