A lot of buzz and expectations surrounded Texas football entering the 2025 college football season, with Arch Manning taking over the reins of the Longhorns’ offense as a full-time starter for the first time in his career.
Three weeks into the season, Manning and the Longhorns offense haven’t exactly risen to meet those expectations.
Those struggles appear to have turned into frustration for Longhorn fans, as they booed the team as they headed into halftime at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13. The Longhorns held only a 14-3 lead over UTEP. Curiously, the Miners are quarterbacked by Malachi Nelson, another 5-star quarterback from Manning’s recruiting class.
Despite scoring two rushing touchdowns in the first half, Manning continued to struggle operating and moving the Longhorns offense, as he completed 5 of 16 passes for 69 yards and an interception. He finished the first half with 10 consecutive incompletions.
The Longhorns created just 187 total yards of offense in the first half, with 118 of those coming on the ground. Texas went 1 for 9 on third-down conversions in the first half as well. The Manning-led offense entered the day converting only seven for 26 third-down attempts (26.9%) ranking 119th among all Division I FBS programs.
Heading into the UTEP game, Sarkisian downplayed rumors that surfaced following Texas’ win over San Jose State that Manning has been playing injured to begin the season. In Texas’ win on Sept. 6, ESPN’s cameras caught Manning grimacing during a side-arm pass. Sarkisian said his quarterback ‘doesn’t have any’ injuries.
Texas led UTEP 17-3 at the end of the third quarter. Should the Longhorns hold onto their lead for the win, they will move to 2-1 on the season going into their Week 4 game against Sam Houston on Saturday, Sept. 20.
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