Before Arch Manning took a singular snap at Texas, the Longhorns’ quarterback was given of laundry list of lofty exceptions put on him, which ranged from national championship titles to being a Heisman Trophy winner.
Those expectations reached a new height this offseason ahead of the Longhorns’ Week 1 showdown vs. No. 2 Ohio State when him moved into the full-time quarterback role at Texas. Following Texas’ 14-7 loss at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said those exceptions on Manning were ‘out of control.’
‘For Arch, the expectations were out of control on the outside, but I’d say, let’s finish the book before we judge him. This is one chapter, and we’ve got a long season to go play,’ Sarkisian said following Texas’ loss to Ohio State on Aug. 30.
Manning, the nephew of NFL Super Bowl winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, struggled for much of the Aug. 30 Week 1 game at Ohio Stadium against a newly led Matt Patricia Buckeyes defense. It wasn’t until the late in the second half that he found consistent rhythm.
All told, his stat line was a tad underwhelming on the afternoon, as he only led Texas to just one scoring drive on the afternoon, which ended with a 32-yard touchdown throw to Parker Livingston in the fourth quarter.
Manning had an opportunity to lead Texas to a game-tying scoring drive in the winding minutes of the fourth quarter after the Longhorns’ defense forced a stop following Livington’s touchdown, but he was unable to make a play on fourth-and-5 to extend the drive with a first down.
Texas and Manning are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 6 against San Jose State at noon ET at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
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