Arch Manning escapes punishment for 'cringe' move as fans mock Texas quarterback
No unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty issued after Manning's end-zone flex; Texas routs Sam Houston 55-0 in a buy-game context.
Arch Manning escaped a penalty for an end-zone celebration after a first-quarter touchdown against Sam Houston as Texas rolled to a 55-0 victory in Austin. The redshirt sophomore completed three passing touchdowns and rushed for two more, helping the eighth-ranked Longhorns improve to 3-1 on the season.
Manning's celebration — a flex over Sam Houston linebacker Antavious Fish as he tried to get up — drew sharp reactions on social media, with fans arguing the move was ill-timed against a winless opponent. Officials did not assess an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty. Sam Houston received about $1.5 million to play Texas in a buy game, a recurring arrangement that has drawn scrutiny in college football. Texas opened the season with a loss to Ohio State and has since played three buy games, outscoring opponents 120-17 in those appearances. The Longhorns now head into a bye week before a schedule that includes a visit from Florida on Oct. 4 and the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma on Oct. 11.