Arch Manning’s huge TD throw gives No. 1 Texas major lift to overcome a rather sloppy first half vs. Mississippi State

Individually, Arch Manning had another terrific performance in the first half Saturday of his first SEC start. But No. 1 Texas struggled and slumbered as a 38-point favorite against Mississippi State.

Manning completed 15 of 19 passes for 202 yards with one eye-popping 49-yard touchdown to DeAndre Moore just before halftime. The Horns were playing somewhat sloppy, though.

Running back Jaydon Blue fumbled at the Mississippi State 20-yard line. Tackle Cam Williams was called for a holding penalty, Manning got sacked and then Texas had punt partially blocked. That led to a Mississippi State field goal.

Related: Texas HC Steve Sarkisian makes final decision on QBs Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning vs. Mississippi State

Johntay Cook II dropped what would have been a sure-fire 62-yard touchdown throw right down the middle of the field. When the Horns took over with 1:56 left in the first half, the Horns had minus-1 yard rushing against a Bulldogs defense that came in ranked 124th nationally against the run.

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But Manning gave the Horns a lift with his deep ball launched on third-and-9 from the MSU 49 in the final minute before the break. Manning took a huge shot, but Moore came up with the catch and scored. The receiver suffered a hip pointer against Louisiana-Monroe and appeared to grab at his right hip after the play, but Moore still celebrated.

Manning came to the bench fired up. His jaw clenched, Manning looked like he was ready to run through a brick wall.

Prior to the game, Texas announced that quarterback Quinn Ewers (strained abdominal) would be out against the Bulldogs. That meant Manning would get his second straight start and first against a SEC foe.

“I think it's good for him,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said during a pre-game radio interview. “He’s finding his rhythm and his routine of what it looks like to prepare and to get himself ready to play, not only throughout the week but on game day.”

Sarkisian wanted Manning to take better care of the football (read: no interceptions). And he wanted Manning to find more check-down throws if deep shots weren’t there.

“But yet, I don't want to take his stinger,” Sarkisian said. “You know, he's an explosive player, and he can be explosive with his legs and his arm, and we got to make sure we give him opportunities to do that as well.”