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Arch Manning, Parker Livingstone Compared to Legendary Texas Duo

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Sep 6, 2025 2:12 PM ET

Arch Manning's 2025 Texas Longhorns debut did not go as expected, with the No. 1 Longhorns losing 14-7 to the then-No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes.

Manning finished the game with 170 yards passing, one touchdown and one interception. His completion numbers were less than ideal, going 17-for-30 in the season-opening loss.

While the game did not go the way Texas had hoped, there was a connection developing between Manning and receiver Parker Livingstone. Livingstone caught the quarterback's only touchdown pass, and the connection continued Saturday against the San Jose State Spartans.

Two first-quarter TDs from Arch Manning and Parker Livingstone @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/Q532Z70Cbh
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 6, 2025

Livingstone came into Saturday with the second-most receptions on the team and caught two more touchdown passes in the first half. The duo was compared to Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley via Cutter Whitley on X.

It is no surprise that Manning and Livingstone are getting that comparison on social media. Livingstone had the third-most receptions on the team ahead of the game, and caught two more passes, both touchdowns, in the first half. One of his catches went for 83 yards.

McCoy and Shipley were a part of an exciting era of Texas football. From 2006-09, the Longhorns went 45-8, winning three bowl games and making it to one BCS National Championship Game during that time.

Unfortunately for Texas, it only won a single Big 12 title in that span in 2009, losing three out of four times to the hated rival Oklahoma Sooners. However, McCoy and Shipley ended their Texas careers in style.

McCoy is the current leader in program history for all-time career passing yards with 13,253. Shipley stands second on the Longhorns' all-time career receiving yards list, ending his time in Austin with 3,191 yards.

If Manning and Livingstone can have the impact McCoy and Livingstone did on the program, the Longhorns will be just fine.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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