No. 7 Texas defeats No. 18 Missouri 34-20 as Raleek Brown scores twice

The No. 7 Texas Longhorns secured a critical road victory on Saturday, defeating No. 18 Missouri 34-20 at Faurot Field in Columbia. Running back Raleek Brown provided the decisive spark in the fourth quarter, scoring both a 23-yard touchdown reception and an 8-yard touchdown run to break a 20-20 tie.

The win bolsters a formidable postseason résumé for Texas, which has already recorded victories over highly ranked opponents including Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. According to reporting from the Austin American-Statesman, the Longhorns move to 7-2 on the season with a 4-2 record in SEC play, while the Tigers fall to 6-3 after losing three of their six conference matchups.

Raleek Brown breaks the fourth-quarter deadlock

For much of the afternoon, the contest remained a tightly contested battle of attrition. The teams entered the final frame deadlocked at 20-20, with neither side able to pull away. The momentum shifted decisively when Brown, a fifth-year running back, found the end zone twice in the final period to seal the outcome.

Final stats as No. 7 Texas records a 34-20 win over No. 18 Missouri in Columbia. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/YZZ1xgpnmf

— https://x.com/_dannydavis/status/2119169351165325340

Before Brown’s scoring surge, the Longhorns struggled to maintain offensive rhythm. A series of missed opportunities, including a holding penalty on Brandon Baker that nullified a long gain by Emmett Mosley V and a missed connection from Arch Manning on a critical third down, kept Missouri within striking distance. However, the defensive unit provided the necessary cushion when Graceson Littleton, who entered the game listed as questionable, recovered a fumble near midfield to stifle a Missouri drive.

Controversial rulings impact momentum in Columbia

The game was marked by several officiating decisions that directly influenced the scoring landscape. In the third quarter, a play that appeared to be an incomplete pass from Arch Manning under pressure was ruled a fumble. Replay confirmed the ruling, resulting in a 14-yard gain for Emmett Mosley V and setting up a 25-yard touchdown catch by Jermaine Bishop Jr. to tie the game.

Raleek Brown plays football like a kid on Christmas morning and I’m absolutely here for it. pic.twitter.com/X5Q0XITdgj

— https://x.com/tbhorka/status/2119168292510114072

Missouri also faced setbacks from the replay center. Two of the Tigers’ touchdowns were overturned during the first half, and a 17-yard catch that would have placed Missouri deep in Texas territory was also ruled incomplete. These rulings contributed to a highly volatile scoring environment where momentum swung frequently between the two programs.

Key statistical breakdown of the Texas-Missouri matchup

Statistic/Event	Texas Longhorns	Missouri Tigers
Final Score	34	20
Quarterback Performance	Arch Manning (3 TD passes)	Austin Simmons (Injured)
Season Record	7-2	6-3
SEC Conference Record	4-2	3-3

Defensive shifts and injury concerns

Missouri’s offensive efforts were hampered by the loss of star quarterback Austin Simmons. During a second-down scramble, Simmons was tackled by Colton Vasek and Lance Jackson, forcing him to limp off the field. While Matt Zollers entered the game to replace him, the Tigers struggled to find consistency, failing to convert on a critical 3rd-and-11 attempt that led to a punt.

Texas’s defense showed resilience, particularly in managing Missouri’s big-play threats. Earlier in the third quarter, Missouri’s Naeshaun Montgomery exploited a gap in the secondary for a 72-yard touchdown catch, highlighting a recurring trend where the Longhorns’ defensive unit has struggled during third-quarter stretches. Despite this, the Longhorns’ ability to capitalize on turnovers—such as Littleton’s fumble recovery—ultimately dictated the game’s closing stages.

The road ahead for the Longhorns

While the victory in Columbia strengthens Texas’s standing in the College Football Playoff rankings, the schedule offers no reprieve. The Longhorns will remain on the road next weekend to face No. 14 LSU. This upcoming matchup follows a difficult stretch of travel and high-stakes conference play that will further test the depth of the Texas roster.

No. 7 Texas defeats No. 18 Missouri 34-20 as Raleek Brown scores twice

For Missouri, the loss underscores the difficulty of maintaining consistency in a competitive SEC landscape. The Tigers must now look to stabilize their offense and address the defensive lapses that allowed Raleek Brown to dominate the final minutes of Saturday’s contest.