Arch Manning, the sophomore quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, failed to meet the sky-high expectations in his starting debut, leading top-ranked Texas to a 14-7 loss against No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday. Manning, the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite, completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while adding 38 rushing yards, in a game that highlighted both his potential and areas for improvement.
The highly anticipated matchup took place in Columbus, Ohio, with Manning facing the defending national champions and a stout Ohio State defense led by coordinator Matt Patricia. From the outset, Manning struggled to find rhythm, particularly on deeper throws, going 0-for-5 on attempts over 5 yards in the first three quarters. His inconsistency was punctuated by an interception late in the third quarter, when a late pass intended for Ryan Wingo was picked off by Jermaine Mathews Jr., setting up an Ohio State touchdown that extended the lead to 14-0.
In the fourth quarter, Manning showed flashes of the talent that has made him a projected top NFL draft pick. After falling behind, he completed 8 of 15 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, including a 32-yard scoring strike to Parker Livingstone. This late surge demonstrated his ability to adjust under pressure, but it proved insufficient to overcome the early deficit, as Texas’ offense sputtered in critical moments.
A key factor in the loss was Texas’ inability to convert on fourth down, succeeding on only 1 of 5 attempts. The most pivotal failure came midway through the third quarter on a fourth-and-goal at the Ohio State 1-yard line, where Manning was stopped on a quarterback sneak for no gain. This play deflated a 15-play, 70-yard drive and symbolized the Longhorns’ struggles in the red zone, where they failed to score on both opportunities.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian defended his quarterback post-game, calling the external expectations “out of control” and emphasizing that this loss is merely “one chapter” in Manning’s season. Sarkisian praised Manning’s poise and composure, noting that he never appeared rattled despite the pressure. He also suggested that incorporating Manning’s running ability earlier in games could unlock more of his potential, as evidenced by his 15-yard burst being one of the offensive highlights.
Statistically, Manning’s performance was underwhelming, with an off-target percentage of 37%—the worst by a Texas quarterback in a game over the past decade. However, he had adequate protection from an offensive line with four new starters, indicating that the issues were more about execution and decision-making than protection. The Longhorns outgained Ohio State on the ground 166-77, but couldn’t translate that into points.
Looking ahead, Texas has time to address these offensive woes before their next Power 4 opponent on October 4 at Florida. Manning took responsibility for the loss, stating, “I’ve got to play better for us to win,” and acknowledging that the team beat itself in key moments. This early test against a elite opponent could serve as a valuable learning experience for Manning and the Longhorns as they prepare for the rigors of SEC play.