AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is certainly missing All-American safety Michael Taaffe against Mississippi State.
Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, leading his squad to a 24-14 halftime lead over the Longhorns on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi.
Shapen hit former Longhorn Brenen Thompson for a 23-yard touchdown with 0:38 left in the half to go up by multiple possessions. He connected with tight end Sam West for a 13-yard score with 5:14 left in the opening quarter.
Taaffe needed surgery to repair a thumb injury he suffered in last week’s 16-13 overtime win over Kentucky, so he’ll be out for a few games, leaving a hole in the Longhorns’ secondary that Shapen is taking advantage of. The Bulldogs outgained the Longhorns 281-130.
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It was another inconsistent half of offense for the Longhorns. Arch Manning threw a short pass to Ryan Wingo for a 60-yard gain on the first play of the game, and then gained just 39 yards after that through the air. He finished the first half 12-of-19 for 99 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Manning’s touchdown was a 1-yard pass to Parker Livingstone early in the second quarter. Manning scored on a 3-yard run after his completion to Wingo.
Despite the return of running back CJ Baxter, Texas couldn’t establish the run. The Longhorns rushed for 31 yards on 17 attempts, with Baxter gaining 18 yards on six carries. Quintrevion Wisner has 10 yards on five carries.
Mississippi State has eight tackles for loss for 39 yards.
Texas’ Ethan Burke blocked a field goal in the first quarter.
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