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Texas Coach Steve Sarkisian Has Strong Words for Arch Manning After Week 1 Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 4:12 PM ET

The Arch Manning era has officially begun for Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns. But it didn't start the way they hoped as No. 1 Texas fell to the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes 14-7 to open the 2025 college football season.

Texas was held scoreless through the first three quarters before the offense finally got on the board after Manning hit Parker Livingstone with 3:28 left to play. The sophomore quarterback from New Orleans finished the day completing 17-of-30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Manning also added 10 carries for 38 yards.

After the loss, Sarkisian addressed the media in his postgame press conference. Speaking about Manning’s first start, he said he saw “flashes” of the player Manning could become.

"We saw some real flashes and glimpses of the type of player that he's going to become here," Sarkisian said. "Sure, he's going to watch the tape and say 'man, I wish this. I wish that.' That's the life of a competitor, but I think there's a lot to hold onto of what the future is going to look like for Arch Manning here.

"I thought Arch's poise and composure was really good in this game. I didn't feel like he got rattled. I think I learned about him a little bit playing that I've got to let him go play. That'll help us, but he's going to be a really good leader."

Steve Sarkisian: "I thought Arch's poise and composure was really good in this game. I didn't feel like he got rattled. I think I learned about him a little bit playing that I've got to let him go play. That'll help us, but he's going to be a really good leader."
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) August 30, 2025

Manning still has areas to improve if Texas wants to contend for a championship. He flashed his potential in two starts last season, filling in for Quinn Ewers, completing 41 of 60 passes for 583 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions, plus a rushing score. Those games, however, came against Louisiana Monroe and Mississippi State, far from the level of competition Ohio State presented.

Manning and the Longhorns will have a less challenging task in Week 2, heading home to host San Jose State.

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

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