Back to Sport

Bobcats Fall 59-7 to Longhorns in Season Opener at Memorial Stadium

Texas State could not contain Arch Manning, who threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns as the No. 5 Longhorns dominated the Bobcats 59-7 on Saturday.

Zane Pennington

September 6, 20262 min read

College Football Season Opener - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NCAA FootballFinal
Texas State Bobcats7
Texas Longhorns59

September 5, 2026

A One-Sided Affair in Austin

The Texas State Bobcats entered Saturday's matchup at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium facing a formidable challenge against the fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns. The visitors were ultimately outmatched in every phase of the game, falling 59-7 in the season opener. The defeat left the Bobcats with a 0-1 record, while the Longhorns improved to 1-0 in front of a home crowd of 102,738.

The disparity in talent and execution was evident early, as the home squad controlled the tempo and the scoreboard throughout the contest.

Manning Shines in Home Debut

Arch Manning was the focal point of the Longhorns' offensive attack, completing 20 of 27 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns while throwing one interception. His precision allowed Texas to build a substantial lead in the first half. The Bobcats' defense struggled to contain the signal-caller, who connected with Ryan Wingo for two first-half touchdowns.

Wingo finished the game with seven receptions for 121 yards and one score, serving as the primary target for Manning. The Longhorns also found success on the ground, with Raleek Brown adding two rushing touchdowns and Hollywood Smothers contributing a third on the ground before catching a pass. Smothers finished with 70 rushing yards on 10 carries.

Bobcats Struggle Offensively

Texas State’s offense managed only seven points, all coming in the second quarter. The Bobcats' lone score was a 13-yard run by Davian Jackson. Brad Jackson led the visiting passing attack with 15 completions on 23 attempts for 150 yards, though he threw one interception and no touchdowns.

The lack of offensive production left the Bobcats unable to mount a competitive threat against the Longhorns' defense. Jaylen Jenkins carried the ball six times for 34 yards, while Tucker Cusano was the leading receiver with three catches for 58 yards. The statistical lines highlight the significant gap between the two teams, with the Longhorns outgaining the Bobcats in both passing and rushing yards.

The final score of 59-7 reflects a dominant performance by the home team, securing their first victory of the season while the Bobcats look to regroup after their opening loss.

Final Records

The Longhorns now stand at 1-0, while the Bobcats are 0-1. The game concluded at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, with the decisive performance by the home squad setting the tone for their upcoming schedule.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401856667

Share

Zane Pennington

Zane Pennington covers Aubrey high school and area college sports.

Related Stories

More in Weather