Arch Manning Struggles in Texas’ Loss to Ohio State
After years of anticipation and endless buildup, Arch Manning finally stepped onto the field as the true face of Texas football, and unfortunately, the night didn’t go as scripted. Against defending national champion Ohio State, Manning’s much-hyped debut as the Longhorns’ full-time starter ended in a frustrating 14–7 loss, and his performance has already become one of the most talked-about storylines of the young season.
For weeks, the hype machine had been running at full speed. Manning was everywhere — commercials for Warby Parker, Vuori, Raising Cane’s — you name it. He was presented as polished, charismatic, and ready for the spotlight. But when the lights came on in Columbus, the game itself told a different story. From the very first pass, a rollout that skipped at his receiver’s feet, nerves seemed to play a role. Whether it was the Buckeyes’ relentless pressure or the weight of the moment, Manning never quite looked comfortable.
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By halftime, his stat line was modest: 5-of-10 for just 26 yards. Texas’ offense couldn’t establish a running game either, partly because the offensive line is breaking in four new starters. And when the Longhorns had a chance to tie the game on a quarterback sneak at the goal line, the Buckeyes’ defense stuffed it. Ohio State’s secondary, coached by new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, disguised coverages effectively, forcing Manning to dink and dunk while taking away most of the deep throws.
Things hit rock bottom early in the fourth quarter when Manning threw an interception that Ohio State quickly turned into a two-touchdown lead. At that point, the night felt like it might end in disaster. To his credit, Manning finally settled down, engineering one strong drive capped with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Parker Livingstone. For a brief stretch, the player everyone had been promised showed up — poised, accurate, and confident. A later 30-yard completion to tight end Jack Endries gave Texas a final chance, but misfires on the next two throws sealed the outcome. The game fittingly ended with Manning under pressure, tossing a desperation pass short of the sticks.
The final numbers weren’t catastrophic — 17-of-30 for 170 yards, one touchdown, and one interception — but they didn’t live up to the enormous expectations that have followed him since high school. Fair or not, Manning won’t be judged like an ordinary college quarterback. With that last name and the media spotlight, every throw will be magnified.
One bad game doesn’t write the rest of the story. Plenty of great quarterbacks have stumbled out of the gate, and plenty of teams have rebounded after an opening-week loss. But this debut will be remembered for what it wasn’t: the coming-out party many expected. For now, the most memorable moment of Manning’s weekend might still be his glasses ad, not his play under center.
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