The early-season struggles continued for Arch Manning during Texas' game against UTEP on Saturday, and Longhorns fans are officially starting to get restless.
Texas was nearly a six-touchdown favorite over UTEP, but the two teams almost looked evenly matched throughout much of the game. That is largely because Manning and the Longhorns offense could not get a rhythm going, particularly in the first half.
Steve Sarkisian's team led just 7-3 late in the second quarter. Texas had a 3rd-and-5 with 1:36 remaining in the first half at its own 27-yard line, and Manning threw a dangerous pass over the middle of the field that fell incomplete. The incomplete pass was the 10th in a row for Manning at the time. Following the play, boos rained down at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
NEW: Texas fans boo Arch Manning and the Longhorns amid a sluggish first half vs. UTEP
— On3 (@On3sports) September 13, 2025
(via @backdoorisopen)https://t.co/DNXiy69N9d pic.twitter.com/57fKvPAT26
Manning entered the year as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, but he has not looked comfortable in his first season as the full-time starter for Texas.
In Week 1, Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, a touchdown and an interception in a 14-7 loss to Ohio State. He got off to another shaky start against San Jose State last week but finished with 295 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in a 38-7 win.
Simply put, Manning has not passed the eye test through three games. He has plenty of time to turn things around, but he has looked like anything but a consensus No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick. No wonder famed draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. was so down on Manning.
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