The Texas Longhorns are 4-0.
No. 1 Texas traveled into one of the toughest environments in college football on Saturday and escaped Neyland Stadium with a 20-17 victory over No. 14 Tennessee in a thrilling SEC showdown.
It wasn’t always pretty for the Longhorns, but when the game was on the line, Texas’ defense came through with the plays it needed to secure the win.
Raleek Brown Finds the End Zone
Texas got on the board first when Raleek Brown powered into the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown run.
Brown would find the end zone again in the fourth quarter, scoring his second touchdown of the afternoon to give Texas a 20-10 lead with less than six minutes remaining.
That touchdown looked like it might put the game away, but Tennessee refused to go quietly.
Tennessee Makes It Interesting
The Volunteers answered with a late touchdown drive led by freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, cutting the Texas lead to 20-17.
Tennessee then recovered an onside kick after Texas receiver Ryan Wingo was unable to secure the ball, giving the Volunteers one final opportunity to tie or win the game.
With the Neyland Stadium crowd roaring, Texas’ defense had one more job to do.
The Longhorns delivered.
Texas Defense Comes Through
Tennessee moved the ball into position to make things interesting, but Texas continued to pressure Brandon.
The Longhorns recorded 10 sacks during the game, with Colin Simmons responsible for five of them. On Tennessee’s final play, Brandon launched a Hail Mary toward the end zone, but Texas knocked the pass away to officially secure the victory.
It was a defensive performance that allowed Texas to survive despite an offense that struggled for stretches.
The Longhorns Are 4-0
With the victory, Texas improves to 4-0 and adds another major win to its résumé.
The Longhorns have now defeated Texas State, Ohio State, UTSA and Tennessee to open the season. The win over the Volunteers also gives Texas its first SEC victory of the 2026 season.
Texas will now turn its attention to Oklahoma and the Red River Rivalry.
The Longhorns entered the season with massive expectations, and through four games, they remain undefeated.
Texas survived Knoxville.
Now the Longhorns will look to keep the perfect season rolling.
