Maraad Watson Returns Fumble 61 Yards for Texas
The 333-pound Texas lineman scored his first career touchdown after Rasheem Bates forced a fumble from Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football
Texas defensive lineman Maraad Watson recovered a fumble and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown against Mississippi State. Texas led 17-0 in the first half after the play, and Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann was injured on the play and did not return on the following drive.
Why it matters
The touchdown gave Texas a commanding first-half advantage over Mississippi State and marked Watson's first career touchdown in three collegiate seasons. The turnover also cost Mississippi State its starting quarterback for the following drive, shifting the momentum of the game.
Watson, who weighs 333 pounds, has three sacks in five games this season, and his 61-yard return came after a 17-0 Texas halftime lead. The details of Swann's injury and his expected availability for upcoming games were not provided.
The players
Maraad Watson
A junior defensive lineman for Texas who transferred from Syracuse and recorded his first career touchdown on this play.
Rasheem Bates
A Texas defensive lineman who sacked Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann and forced the fumble that set up the touchdown.
AJ Swann
The Mississippi State quarterback who was injured on the play and did not return to the field on the following drive.
The details
Texas defensive lineman Rasheem Bates sacked Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann on second down in Texas territory, jarring the ball loose. The ball bounced to Watson, who scooped it up and ran 61 yards the other direction for the score, while Texas defensive end Colin Simmons was missing from the game.
Timeline
Watson spent his freshman season at Syracuse before transferring to Texas.
October 31, 2026: Watson scored the 61-yard fumble return touchdown against Mississippi State.
Season Trajectory
Interior linemen scoring on fumble returns is an uncommon outcome, and Watson's play adds to Texas's early-season defensive production. The score gives Texas a substantial halftime cushion in a game that also cost Mississippi State its starting quarterback for a drive.
The touchdown shifted the first-half scoring considerably for fantasy and betting observers tracking Texas's defense. Mississippi State's loss of its quarterback for a drive could affect the rest of its offensive game plan.
The takeaway
Turnovers forced by pressure up front can swing a game quickly, as Texas showed when a defensive lineman turned a sack into a 61-yard score. Watching how a team responds to a lost starter can reveal a lot about its depth.
Further reading
For more on the program, explore Football coverage of the Texas Longhorns.
