Texas football: Arch Manning closes out headline-heavy week with Ole Miss win
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Following a 34-27 win Saturday over No. 7 Ole Miss at Royal-Memorial Stadium, Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said that he likes when quarterback Arch Manning plays with an edge.
Sarkisian insisted that he wants to see swagger from his second-year starter. He doesn't even mind when Manning is "borderline arrogant."
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After Texas improved to 5-2 on the season and 2-2 in SEC play, Manning told reporters that he doesn't know what Sarkisian means when he talks about playing with an edge. The senior did concede, though, that he had a different demeanor Saturday night.
"I had a chip on my shoulder all week, and I've got to continue to play like that," Manning said.
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Ole Miss win caps a week of headlines for Arch Manning
For a variety of reasons ranging from his struggles during UT's losses to Oklahoma and Florida, to his job security to whether he'll transfer after this season, Manning was a topic of conversation throughout the week. He opened Saturday with an efficient drive that featured him completing 4-of-5 pass attempts and setting Texas up for a 23-yard field goal. Later in the first half, Manning added a 2-yard touchdown run and a 50-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo (Texas receiver Cam Coleman also what should have been a 59-yard touchdown pass dropped in the first half).
But after a first half in which he was intercepted once, turnovers became a bigger problem after halftime. Manning was sacked on UT's fourth play of the second half, and his fumble was returned by Ole Miss for a touchdown. He was later intercepted in the fourth quarter when he threw a downfield pass in the direction of tight end Emaree Winston.
Despite those struggles, Texas stood by Manning and kept KJ Lacey on the sidelines. Lacey, who was reportedly set to receive more first-team reps this week, played just one snap in the second half after Manning was sent off the field by the referees to be examined for a head injury following a sack.
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Texas squandered a 24-3 lead in the second half, but Manning later broke the tie with 8:04 left in the game with his second rushing touchdown of the season. He finished with 212 yards on 18-of-30 passing, and his two rushing touchdowns were complemented by a 19-yard gain on a 3rd-and-17 play in the second quarter.
"I thought he competed his tail off," Sarkisian said. "I thought he came out throwing the ball with real conviction. Thought he was accurate. It's unfortunate we didn't make a couple plays for him because I thought he was throwing the ball really well. Interceptions happen, but either of them tonight were pretty tremendous plays (by Ole Miss cornerback Jalyn Crawford)."
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs for a first down against Mississippi Rebels safety Joenel Aguero (6) in the first quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday Oct. 24, 2026. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman)Arch Manning earns family bragging rights after beating Tennessee, Ole Miss
With the win, Manning completed a sweep of his famed family's alma maters. Earlier this season, Manning guided Texas to a 20-17 win over a Tennessee team that was once led by his uncle, Peyton. Saturday's victory came at the expense of an Ole Miss program that has retired the jersey numbers that once belonged to Manning's grandfather, Archie, and uncle, Eli.
More: How Steve Sarkisian, Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns grade in midseason report card
For the season, Manning has thrown for 1,507 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 63.3 percent of his passes. As for those rumors about a possible transfer or benching?
"I've got nothing to say. I keep my circle tight," Manning said with a smile.
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