Top 10 plays of the Texas football season

Despite an unfortunate ending in Dallas, the 2024 Texas football season was one to remember.

The Longhorns won 13 games for just the third time in program history and finished with back-to-back seasons of at least 12 wins for the first time since 2008-09.

Top Texas football plays from the season that was in 2024

The season was filled with terrific plays and moments, both from an individual and team standpoint. Let's take a look back at the top ten plays of the 2024 Texas football season.

10. Jelani McDonald interception vs. Kentucky

Sophomore Jelani McDonald came into his own down the stretch as he saw his snap count rise after an injury to Derek Williams.

McDonald was a huge late-cycle flip in the class of 2023 and you can see why. His has terrific ball skills and will be a major factor in the secondary next season whether it be at safety or star.

9. Arch Manning first touchdown vs. Colorado State

The Arch-era is officially here. In the first real action of his Longhorn career, Manning showed his athletic ability during this touchdown flip to Silas Bolden. Expect plays like this to be commonplace from the redshirt sophomore next fall.

8. Silas Bolden punt return vs. Arizona State

Silas Bolden was incredibly aggressive as a punt returner last season. His 75-yard touchdown return in the Peach Bowl set the tone for Texas and ultimately proved decisive as the Sun Devils battled their way back in the second half.

7. Jaydon Blue touchdown vs. Clemson

It felt like Texas was dominating Clemson in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, but with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Tigers had cut the lead to one score. Jaydon Blue's 75-yard touchdown run quelled any thoughts of a Clemson upset.

6. Arch Manning touchdown vs. Texas A&M

In one of the biggest games for the program of the last decade, Arch Manning set the tone with this fourth-and-two read-option touchdown run. Manning's wheel will add a completely different dynamic to the Texas offense in 2025.

5. Matthew Golden touchdown vs. Vanderbilt

With most of the offseason wide receiver hype going to Isaiah Bond, it was Matthew Golden who proved to be the No. 1 target for Quinn Ewers in 2024. Golden had a handful of acrobatic catches throughout the season, but none more impressive than this one-handed touchdown snag against Vanderbilt.

4. Andrew Mukuba interception vs. Arizona State

Andrew Mukuba finishing his college career in Austin proved to be incredibly beneficial to both parties. Mukuba improved his draft stock while helping anchor one of the best defenses in the country. His game-sealing interception in the Peach Bowl was the most important of the five he hauled in last season.

3. Silas Bolden touchdown vs. Oklahoma

Bolden didn't know at the time, but his awareness and hustle to hawk down Tre Wisner's fumble in the endzone of the Red River Rivalry etched his legacy in the burnt orange to all Texas fans. This is a complete culture play that helped swing the momentum of a game where the Sooners were hanging around due to their defense.

2. Goal line stand vs. Texas A&M

The last time the Texas A&M offense scored a touchdown against Texas was *checks notes* 2011.

The Longhorn defense was terrific in goal-to-go scenarios all season, but no stand was bigger than this play against the Aggies—Shoutout to Ethan Burke and Vernon Broughton for blowing it up.

1. 4th-and-13 vs. Arizona State

Fourth-and-13 will be seared in the minds of Longhorn fans for decades to come. Unfortunately, Texas could not pay it off in the Cotton Bowl, but at the time, this was the biggest play for the program in over 15 years.

From the pre-snap recognition from Ewers, the pass protection, and the route from Golden, all 11 Longhorns executed to perfection in the season's biggest moment. It was truly a "where were you" moment in Texas football history.

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