Arch Manning Booed by Texas Fans During Rocky First Half of 27-10 Win Over UTEP

Arch Manning was booed by Texas fans during the first half of Saturday’s 27-10 home win over UTEP after enduring a string of incompletions that left the Longhorns’ offense sputtering.

Manning completed just 5 of 16 passes for 69 yards and threw an interception in the end zone in the first half, including a sequence in which he had 10 straight incompletions that drew audible jeers from the crowd. Texas led 14-3 at halftime and finished the game without surrendering the lead, but the halftime scolding underscored the uneven start to the season for the highly recruited sophomore.

Manning finished 11 of 25 for 114 passing yards and was credited with two rushing touchdowns for 51 yards on the ground. UTEP’s quarterback, Malachi Nelson, completed 24 of 36 passes for 209 yards and threw two interceptions but did not throw a touchdown.

The boos followed a difficult start to the season for Manning, who entered 2025 with heightened expectations after a prolific recruiting career and a high-profile transfer to Texas. In the season opener against Ohio State, Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 14-7 loss. After that game Manning told reporters, “Ultimately, not good enough. Obviously, you don’t want to start off the season going 0-1. They’re a good team, but I thought we beat ourselves a lot. That starts with me. I’ve got to play better for us to win.”

He rebounded statistically in the following week against San Jose State, when he completed 19 of 30 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-7 victory. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said that performance reflected preparation and a return to Manning’s playing style. “I thought today was a by-product of the week of work. He played aggressive throughout the week. He studied the game plan. He knew exactly what we were trying to do, and I thought today he played more of his style,” Sarkisian said after the San Jose State game. “He extended plays, used his legs, scrambles for a touchdown. That’s the style of player that he is.”

Saturday’s first-half struggles, however, revived fan frustration in Austin. Video posted on social media showed parts of the crowd reacting loudly after several incomplete passes and the interception late in the second quarter. Texas’ offense managed to convert enough opportunities to sustain a two-score halftime margin and the Longhorns maintained control in the second half to secure the win.

Manning’s running produced two first-half touchdowns and added a complementary dimension to the offense, but questions about consistency in the passing game persisted. His completion percentage through three games remains below the level expected of the team’s starter, and the boos highlighted the impatience among a fan base that expected a smoother transition following his transfer and an offseason of elevated expectations.

Texas will return to Austin next Saturday night to host Sam Houston. The Longhorns are seeking consistency as they enter the remainder of their schedule, and Manning will look to build on the flashes of effectiveness shown against San Jose State while addressing the turnover and accuracy issues that surfaced against Ohio State and resurfaced in parts of the UTEP game.

The win improved Texas’ record and avoided an early-season upset, but the public reaction at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium signaled that attention will remain focused on Manning’s day-to-day progress as the season progresses.