Live updates from Week 4

After a pair of humdrum home wins over San Jose State and UTEP, No. 8 Texas football (2-1) has one more nonconference chance to please the home fans Saturday against Sam Houston before starting SEC play Oct. 4 at Florida. The crowd voiced its displeasure with pedestrian play from quarterback Arch Manning and the Texas offense in last week’s 27-10 win over UTEP, and not even Royal-Memorial Stadium’s high-tech light show in the season’s first night game will distract from more offensive struggles.

Sam Houston (0-3) has taken its lumps this season but has made quick strides since moving up from the FCS to Conference USA three years ago. After a 3-9 campaign in their first FBS season in 2023, the Bearkats went 10-4 last year and beat Georgia Southern in the New Orleans Bowl. First-year coach Phil Longo, who took over for longtime coach K.C. Keeler, will likely try to follow the formula used by San Jose State and UTEP against Texas: Clog up the running lanes with defensive stunts and slants, make Manning use his arm instead of his legs and try and make it a second-half game.

Follow along for scores and live updates as the Texas Longhorns take on the Sam Houston Bearkats Saturday at 7 p.m.

MORE: How an improved running game could help Arch Manning, Texas football passing

Sometimes, the stats don’t lie. Texas has 361 yards of offense compared to 50 for Sam Houston. Texas safety Jelani McDonald provides an apt end to the half by picking off Sam Houston QB Hunter Watson on a desperate heave downfield.

Arch Manning runs for his second touchdown of the game, this one from 2 yards out. How about these stats, Arch worriers? 14-of-17 passing for 227 yards and one touchdown and 11 yards and two more TDs on the ground.

It’s a field goal from Texas inside the red zone, which you don’t see often from Steve Sarkisian. Mason Shipley boots home a 29-yarder, and the transfer from Texas State is now 4-of-4 on the season. 

This Sam Houston pass defense is one of the worst in college football, and the 107,000 folks here in DKR are seeing why. Tight end Jordan Washington is wide open down field and strolls into the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown catch from Arch Manning.

End 1Q: Texas 14, Sam Houston 0

Texas has 151 yards of offense while the Bearkats have yet to get a first down. This is how these nonconference games against overmatched foes are supposed to go, right?

All Texas, all Arch Manning early. Manning runs in from 5 yards out, talks some smack to the Sam defender and all is well again in the Texas football world. Manning has 86 yards on 7-of-10 passing and another 10 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Trey Moore and Colin Simmons each have a sack, which must please a Texas coaching staff that’s been seeking more pressure on the quarterback. That’s the first sack of the season for Moore, who switched from the edge to linebacker in the offseason.

They do just fine, thank you very much. Jerrick Gibson rumbles 13 yards up the gut for a touchdown behind a great block from center Connor Roberston. That’s the first rushing TD by a Texas player other than Arch Manning this season. Manning, the beleaguered quarterback, went 4-of-6 for 55 yards on the drive.

Texas forces a 3-and-out on Sam Houston’s first drive. Now, let’s see what Arch Manning and the Texas offense can do.

Sam Houston: QB Hunter Watson back as starter

Sam Houston has had a bit of a roulette wheel at quarterback this season, and the ball won’t land on Mabrey Mettauer, who’s in street clothes. Hunter Watson will start after missing the past two games. He had 209 yards passing and 91 yards rushing in a season-opening loss to Western Kentucky before leaving the second game against UNLV with an undisclosed injury.

As expected, running back Quintrevion Wisner is not listed on the two-deep game-day roster after being tabbed as doubtful this week by Texas coach Steve Sarkisian. Starting center Cole Hutson had been questionable this week is warming up, and he’s listed as a co-starter with Connor Robertson. Defensive backs Xavier Filsaime, Kobe Black and Warren Roberson will also apparently miss the game since none are suited up in warm-ups.

Where: Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin

TV/radio: SEC Network+, 1300, 98.1, 105.3 (Spanish)

Line: Texas is favored by 39 ½ points; over/under is 51 ½ points

Warm and muggy with a high around 90 at kickoff and dropping into the low 80s by the final whistle.