In a thrilling SEC matchup, No. 5 Texas bounced back from a tough loss against Georgia with a narrow 27-24 victory over No. 25 Vanderbilt, fueled by the steady arm of quarterback Quinn Ewers. After a rocky start, Ewers found his rhythm, completing 17 consecutive passes on his way to a 288-yard, three-touchdown performance that showcased his poise and resilience.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian watched his team shake off early mistakes to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Ewers’ day began with a tipped pass that Vanderbilt’s Martel Hight intercepted, setting up an 18-yard touchdown scramble by Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia. However, Ewers and the Longhorns quickly rebounded, driving downfield to even the score with a short touchdown pass to Matthew Golden. By the end of the first quarter, Texas had surged ahead, with Ewers connecting with DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 27-yard touchdown, giving Texas a 14-7 lead they would never relinquish.
Ewers’ precision continued into the second quarter, as he found Moore again for a 25-yard catch-and-run up the sideline, stretching Texas’ lead to 21-7. Ewers did not miss a pass until the final minute of the first half, demonstrating his ability to settle in after an early setback. Vanderbilt, playing its first regular-season game as a Top 25 team since 2008, put up a fierce fight. The Commodores, coming off a three-game winning streak, showed resilience behind Pavia, who threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns while adding 67 rushing yards and a score.
After Miles Capers intercepted Ewers in the third quarter, Pavia capitalized by leading Vanderbilt downfield and finding Junior Sherrill on fourth-and-goal for a 3-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 24-17. Texas responded defensively as linebacker Liona Lefau intercepted Pavia on a critical fourth-and-2 with just over five minutes left. The turnover set up Texas kicker Bert Auburn for his second field goal, extending the Longhorns’ lead to 27-17.
With less than a minute remaining, Pavia threw his second touchdown pass, an 8-yarder to Eli Stowers, pulling Vanderbilt within three points. However, Texas secured the victory by recovering Vanderbilt’s onside kick attempt.
The win marked a critical comeback for Texas, who moved to 7-1 on the season. Ewers’ resilience and the Longhorns’ clutch plays in key moments helped them escape Nashville with the win, keeping their path to the SEC Championship in sight. For Vanderbilt, the game represented a hard-fought return to the Top 25 and a reminder of their growth under head coach Clark Lea.
