The Longhorns were led by 15th-year head coach Mack Brown and played their home games at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.

[1] After the 2010 Texas Longhorns football team finished with the first losing season since 1997,[2] Texas began the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season unranked in the preseason Associated Press poll for the first time since 1998, although they ranked 24th in the preseason Coaches' Poll.

Quarterbacks David Ash, Case McCoy, and newly recruited Connor Brewer attempted passes during the game.

The Texas team won the coin toss and elected to receive the kickoff at the beginning of the game.

On their opening drive, West Virginia drove down the field to score the first touchdown of the game on an eight-yard pass from leading Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Geno Smith to wide receiver Stedman Bailey.

West Virginia scored again after Geno Smith threw a 40–yard touchdown pass, this time to Tavon Austin, to let the Mountaineers lead 14–7 to end the first quarter.

West Virginia scored once again to open the second quarter, this time on a rushing touchdown, to extend the Mountaineer lead to 21–7.

After Marquise Goodwin lost a fumble, Texas cornerback Carrington Byndom was able to block a subsequent punt by West Virginia.

On the following drive, Mountaineer quarterback Geno Smith fumbled near the goal line, which was recovered by Jackson Jeffcoat and leading to a defensive touchdown, tying the game once again at 21–21.

Anthony Fera scored his first field goal under the Texas Longhorns football team at the end of a drive to begin the first quarter.

However, on the subsequent drive West Virginia scored another touchdown, once again on a catch by Stedman Bailey, to reclaim the lead 34–31.

Geno Smith connected with Stedman Bailey again for another touchdown catch, this time for six yards to give West Virginia the lead once again at 41–38 to start the fourth quarter.

On the next drive Geno Smith lost his second fumble of the game, allowing Texas to start with good field position.

However, a bad snap by center Dominique Espinosa forced Texas back further from the goal line.

Texas was unable to recover the ensuing onside kick, allowing West Virginia to run out the clock and win the game.