COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Arch Manning, the highly-touted sophomore quarterback for Texas, faced a tough task in his season opener against Ohio State. Expectations were sky-high, especially since some labeled the Longhorns’ preseason as “Arch Madness.”
However, Manning struggled for most of the game, finishing with 208 yards of total offense. He completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards and rushed for 38 yards on 10 attempts. Texas fought hard, particularly in the fourth quarter, but ultimately lost to the Buckeyes 14-7.
In the first three quarters, Manning had a tough time, throwing for just 38 yards and an interception. When the Longhorns were down 14-0, he made a strong push, connecting for a 32-yard touchdown pass to Parker Livingstone. “We made some adjustments at halftime,” Manning said. “They are a good team, but we could have played better.”
One critical area where Texas faltered was in converting fourth downs, finishing just 1 of 5. Two of those failures happened in the red zone, including a failed quarterback sneak on fourth-and-goal at the Ohio State one-yard line. Manning mentioned that he needed to push harder to secure those crucial yards.
The pressure was palpable, reminiscent of the challenges his uncles, Peyton and Eli, faced against formidable defenses. The Longhorns moved well on the field but stumbled when it mattered most. Manning’s lone interception was particularly costly, occurring with just three minutes left in the third quarter.
Despite the loss, Coach Steve Sarkisian highlighted Manning’s composure during the game. “He didn’t get rattled,” Sarkisian said. “We need to see more of his running game earlier so he can find his rhythm.” This experience could be a valuable lesson for Manning as the season progresses.
His journey could echo the path of notable quarterbacks before him who suffered losses early but grew stronger with experience. History shows that the pressure of expectations can either build character or weigh heavily on young players.
As college football evolves, so do the strategies teams use to succeed. Recent studies show that nearly 70% of teams that adapt their playbooks to highlight their quarterback’s strengths typically see improved performance. For Manning, this means refining both his passing and running skills could be key for Texas moving forward.
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Texas Longhorns, Texas, College sports, Ohio State Buckeyes, College football, Football, Ohio State Buckeyes football, Texas Longhorns football, Ohio, OH State Wire, TX State Wire, Julian Sayin, Matt Patricia, Steve Sarkisian, Sports, Jermaine Mathews Jr.
