Texas Longhorns head coach expressed frustration over the “out of control” expectations for quarterback Arch Manning following his underwhelming performance in the season opener against Ohio State.
Manning, a highly touted third-year QB, struggled to meet the lofty preseason hype in Texas’ 14-7 loss to the Buckeyes. The young quarterback completed 17-of-30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception, failing to complete a pass longer than nine yards until late in the fourth quarter. He also ran the ball 10 times for 38 yards, with coach Mike Sarkisian making adjustments at halftime to ease Manning’s reads and call more designed runs to help calm him.
“Ultimately, [I was] not good enough,” Manning admitted after the game. “I’ve got to play better for us to win. I can’t wait until the second half to kind of get things going.” The Texas team, which many fans expected to contend strongly this season, was left to face a harsh dose of reality in its opener.
Coach Sarkisian defended Manning, emphasizing that growth and patience are necessary. He noted the importance of finishing the progress over the season rather than rushing judgment based on a single performance. “We’re going to be fine,” Sarkisian said, acknowledging the team’s potential despite the loss. “We got work to do as a team and as an offense, but we’ll get back on the horse and play good football this season.”
Experts and commentators have drawn parallels between Manning’s early struggles and those faced by other legendary Texas quarterbacks, such as Vince Young. Despite the disappointing start, the coach and Manning alike maintain a focus on improvement and resilience over the long haul.
As a third-year player, Manning has shown flashes of promise in previous seasons, including a notable freshman year where he displayed big-play ability both in passing and rushing. However, the transition to a lead quarterback role in a highly competitive conference remains challenging, as demonstrated in this opener.
The Texas Longhorns and Arch Manning now look ahead to the rest of the season, aiming to address execution issues and meet the high expectations that come with playing for one of college football’s marquee programs.