Arch Manning vows improvement as Texas nears SEC play after fan boos
Longhorns quarterback, struggling through his first starts, calls for a mental reset before the final nonconference game and the start of SEC play.
Arch Manning vowed Monday to play better and help the Texas offense find consistency as the Longhorns head into the final nonconference tune-up before beginning SEC play.
Days after being booed by sections of the crowd at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium during Texas’ win over UTEP, Manning acknowledged frustration with his own performance but said the issues have been more mental than physical. "I know the type of player that I am," Manning told reporters. "I know I’m going to play better and we’re going to be better as an offense." He added, "It’s frustrating because I know I’m better than that... I just need to go cut it loose and have some fun."
Manning, a 21-year-old in his first season as Texas’ starting quarterback, has struggled to meet preseason expectations that accompanied his high-profile recruitment and family pedigree. He has completed 55 percent of his passes through three games. In Saturday’s win over UTEP, Manning completed 11 of 25 passes for 114 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Texas has won its last two games after opening the season with a loss to Ohio State. The Longhorns have one more nonconference game Saturday against Sam Houston before starting a month-long stretch of road games and the SEC portion of the schedule, which begins Oct. 4 at Florida in Gainesville.
Fans’ reaction during the first half of the UTEP game signaled growing impatience with the offense, and Manning said the team was turning the page and preparing to solve its issues ahead of the tougher slate. He emphasized a need to relax and trust his preparation. "I think I just need to go out there and play my game. I know the type of athlete and the type of player I am," he said.
Manning is the nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning and the grandson of Archie Manning. Those family ties have amplified attention on his early-career struggles, but team sources and coaching staff remain focused on preparation and execution rather than external expectations.
The nonconference meeting with Sam Houston represents Manning’s last opportunity to refine timing with his receivers and address decision-making under pressure before Texas embarks on the road-heavy portion of its schedule. Coaches have cited the upcoming stretch — which includes games against SEC opponents — as a decisive period for the offense.
Manning's promise to improve and the Longhorns’ preparation over the next week will be closely watched by fans and media as college football’s conference season approaches. He said he expected both his own play and the offense to "get clicking" in the weeks ahead.
