Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Texas QB Arch Manning Makes Embarrassing History on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 3:14 PM ET

Arch Manning spent most of last season as the Texas Longhorns' backup quarterback, sitting behind Quinn Ewers. The 2023 No. 1 overall recruit (247Sports) appeared in a few games when Ewers went down with an injury, but was sent back to the bench when the starter returned.

Now, with Ewers departing for the NFL, Manning has earned the starting job in Austin. On Saturday, he made his full-time starter debut as No. 1 Texas traveled to Columbus to take on the defending champions, the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes. And while many college football fans were excited for the Manning era to begin, he did not get off to a great start.

Through the first three quarters against Ohio State, Manning struggled against Ryan Day's defense. He completed 9-of-15 passes for 38 yards and an interception. To make matters worse, the Longhorns went scoreless through the first 45 minutes, but were still well within reach of the Buckeyes' 7-0 lead.

Unfortunately for Manning and Texas, Saturday's game against Ohio State marked the first time since the 2015 season that the Longhorns were shut out through three quarters, per Fox Sports. And with Manning running the show for the Texas offense, a majority of the blame has fallen on him.

The last time Texas went scoreless through three quarters was on Halloween 2015, when the Longhorns fell to the Iowa State Cyclones 24-0. Texas played two quarterbacks that day, including Tyrone Swoopes and Jerrod Heard.

The Longhorns were finally able to get into the endzone with 3:28 remaining in the fourth after Manning hit Parker Livingstone for a 32-yard touchdown, decreasing the deficit to 14-7.