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Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian Reveals What Was Wrong With Arch Manning Against Ohio State
© Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The No. 1 Texas Longhorns went into Columbus, Ohio hoping to make a statement against the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes, but left questioning where they went wrong after a 14-7 loss.

Much of the blame has been placed on the shoulders of former five-star quarterback and nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch Manning. In what was his first-career start on the road, Manning looked rattled throughout the game.

He completed 17-of-30 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and a pick, but he was well under the century mark for passing yards until the fourth quarter. Manning seemed skittish in the pocket, was missing open receivers and also had poor footwork.

The latter being something that head coach Steve Sarkisian told the media on Monday would fix his accuracy in a big way once he is able to get his feet aligned.

"There was a couple of times where we had some crossing routes where I I didn't feel like he brought his feet to where he wanted to throw the ball, which in turn forced kind of a sidearm delivery which isn't his style of throwing," Sarkisian said via On3. "I think if he can get his feet aligned and get his shoulders aligned, that can help with some of his accuracy that way."

Sarkisian also cited the fact that Manning is still building in-game rapport with his receivers, with only four wide receivers seeing action on Saturday.

"Part of that is just finding that comfort level of trust with receivers in real games, right," Sarkisian said. Not in practice, not against a scout team, but in a real game against a good defense because the windows get small against good defenses like that."

It likely didn't help that the Buckeyes had a Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator in Matt Patricia dialing up plays, but Manning and Texas will have three chances to figure things out.

The Longhorns host San Jose State, UTEP and Sam Houston State before diving into SEC play. While they won't be impressive wins in the eyes of fans, it could do wonders for the confdince and chemistry of the offense.

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

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