Arch Manning leads Texas to last-second win over LSU, ending Tigers' CFP hopes

Texas rallied from a 21-10 deficit to defeat No. 21 LSU 22-21 in Tiger Stadium, securing a sixth-place ranking and keeping a potential College Football Playoff berth alive. Quarterback Arch Manning connected with Raleek Brown on a 4-yard touchdown pass with three seconds remaining, completing a 12-point run after trailing by five points with 2:19 left.

"We talked about having the chance to end someone else's dream, and I like to focus on us, but it kind of feels good at times," Manning said after the win.

Manning, the nation's top recruit in 2023 who grew up in New Orleans, highlighted the personal significance of the victory.

"It means the world. I was pointing out to some of my teammates where I sat at these games growing up. So, just coming back home, getting it done in the last few seconds, it's a memory I'll have for the rest of my life."

LSU coach Lane Kiffin acknowledged the loss and its impact on the Tigers' postseason prospects.

"I get it. Underperformance doesn't matter if the game's been close or they go down to the last, whatever, six seconds. We were brought here to win, and we need to win more than that. Now, also, everything isn't built for the first year when you come in somewhere, and I would tell you that if we were undefeated right now. You build things, and they take a little bit of time."

Kiffin added that while the defeat was concerning, he remained optimistic about the program's future.

"I'm concerned that we lost. I'm not concerned about the future. I said it weeks before when we were winning, that we'll have better rosters. And that's no poor reflection upon these players. We just will. We will have been here. We'll have built depth."

The loss leaves LSU at 6-4 and likely outside the CFP rankings, requiring a perfect finish to secure a major bowl invitation.