No. 20 Texas starts red-hot, has 24-10 halftime lead over No. 9 Vanderbilt

AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 20 Texas set the tone with a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the game to take a 24-10 halftime lead over No. 9 Vanderbilt on Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who spent the week going through concussion protocol after a hit he took last week against Mississippi State, doesn’t look like he’s lost a beat. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 200 yards with a pair of touchdowns, including the big screen pass to Ryan Wingo to open the game. Manning hit running back CJ Baxter for a 6-yard score late in the first quarter.

Wingo caught two passes for 89 yards, but since he caught both passes behind the line of scrimmage, he’s racked up 97 yards after the catch.

Texas running back Quintrevion Wisner tumbled into the end zone from 4 yards out for the Longhorns’ lone score in the second quarter. He gained 33 yards on six carries, and the Longhorns averaged 5.4 yards per carry in the first half.

Texas outgained Vanderbilt 249-167, and the Longhorns’ run defense came to play. They allowed 14 yards on 13 carries, neutralizing quarterback Diego Pavia’s proficiency in the option game. Pavia had some success throwing, completing 14 of 18 passes for 153 yards and an 18-yard touchdown to tight end Eli Stowers. Stowers didn’t have his first catch until late in the second quarter, but he still leads the Commodores with 42 yards on three grabs.

Texa has sacked Pavia three times and has five tackles for loss. Colin Simmons forced and recovered a fumble after he hit Pavia in the first quarter.

Vanderbilt will receive the second-half kickoff.