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Urban Meyer Takes Issue With Steve Sarkisian's Response To Arch Manning Situation

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 5:56 PM ET

Urban Meyer has been nothing but supportive when asked about Texas coach Steve Sarkisian over the past few seasons. On Friday, however, he changed his tune.

Earlier this week, Sarkisian was asked if Texas quarterback Arch Manning is dealing with a shoulder injury. There was a clip of him wincing while throwing a pass against San Jose State last Saturday. Although it seemed like a routine question, Sarkisian had a snarky response to the reporter's question.

"He doesn't have any pain," Sarkisian said. "I don’t know. I’ve never filmed any of you guys when you’re using the restroom. So, I don’t know what faces you make when you’re doing that."

While on FS1's "The Herd" this Friday afternoon, Meyer admit that he didn't love Sarkisian's comments.

"I saw that interaction with the reporter and I wondered: ‘Why?’ That’s a legitimate question," Meyer said, via On3. "If he’s hurting, then just say he’s hurting. If he’s not, then just say he’s fine. So I don’t know if there’s something behind door No. 2 with his response. I saw the same thing on video, and … players wince all the time. But I do believe that was a legitimate question."

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 31: Urban Meyer is seen prior to the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Georgia Bulldogs in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Is Arch actually hurt?

Meyer told Colin Cowherd that he heard in Week 1 that Manning is "dinged up." However, he's not fully convinced that's true.

"You know, is your quarterback hurt? Because I actually heard that from someone at FOX saying he’s a little dinged up. But I didn’t see that during the Ohio State game because they ran him quite a bit. So I don’t understand that interaction and maybe there is something there."

Despite wincing in pain last weekend, Manning completed 19 of 30 passes for 295 yards with four touchdowns and an interception.

Manning should put up another impressive stat line this Saturday against UTEP. If he fails to do, Sarkisian might dish out a few more questionable comments during his postgame press conference.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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