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Arch Manning Faces Rocky Debut as Texas Falls to Ohio State
Arch Manning falters in debut as Texas falls 14–7 to Ohio State. Sarkisian says expectations were “out of control” and calls mistakes fixable.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The highly anticipated debut of Texas quarterback Arch Manning fell short of the national buzz, as the Longhorns dropped a 14–7 road decision to Ohio State on Saturday.
Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, arrived in Columbus with Heisman hype and projected No. 1 overall draft chatter already swirling. More than a dozen NFL scouts, including representatives from the Cleveland Browns, were on hand to watch his first collegiate start.
The freshman’s performance proved uneven. Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He struggled to find rhythm early, misfiring on all five attempts of more than five yards in the first three quarters. His off-target rate of 37 percent was the highest by a Texas quarterback in a decade, according to ESPN’s research team.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian defended his young quarterback afterward, reminding fans that one game does not define a career.
“The expectations on Arch were out of control on the outside,” Sarkisian said. “This is one chapter. Let’s finish the book before we judge him.”
Second-Half Adjustments
At halftime, Manning and Sarkisian reviewed film in the locker room. The reset helped. In the fourth quarter, the freshman completed four of seven throws for 105 yards and a touchdown on downfield passes, showing glimpses of the talent that made him the nation’s top recruit.
Manning also showcased his mobility, rushing for 38 yards on 10 carries, including a 15-yard scramble. Sarkisian hinted that his quarterback’s legs could become a bigger part of the playbook.
“When he started running, I thought he really began to play,” the coach noted. “That’s the kind of player he can be.”
Missed Opportunities Haunt Longhorns
Despite outgaining Ohio State 166–77 on the ground and having ample pass protection from an inexperienced offensive line, Texas failed to capitalize. The Longhorns came up empty on two red zone trips and were stopped inches from the goal line on a pivotal third-quarter drive that lasted nearly seven minutes.
“We had chances to put points on the board and didn’t,” Sarkisian admitted. “A throw here, a catch there, maybe a different call—those are all correctable things.”
Manning agreed.
“It starts with me,” the freshman said. “We beat ourselves a lot tonight. I’ve got to play better for us to win.”
Looking Ahead
Texas won’t face another Power Four opponent until its October 4th matchup at Florida, leaving time to fine-tune the offense before SEC play begins. Sarkisian stressed that the early miscues are not fatal to the Longhorns’ season goals.
For Manning, the debut may not have matched the outside hype, but inside the Texas program, coaches and teammates see a foundation worth building on.
Marcus Vega covers the fast-growing Las Vegas sports landscape, from pro franchises to college athletics and prep standouts. He fuses box score analysis with behind-the-scenes reporting, capturing the energy of game day and the strategy in between. Marcus aims to bring fans closer to the teams, players, and moments that define the city’s sports identity.
Where passion meets the game—Marcus Vega, Sports.
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