Through three quarters Saturday, Arch Manning looked almost identical to the version that faced Ohio State last year in Week 1.
Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia once again had the Texas passer's number, confusing him with various coverages and forcing errant throws all over the field.
A couple of drops by Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman - including an unbelievably bad bounce leading to an interception - didn't help things, and Texas went to the fourth quarter trailing 23-3.
However, Manning shone when the lights got brightest in Austin, leading the Longhorns to a historic comeback with three straight touchdown drives to finish the game. His numbers over the final 20 minutes were staggering.
Arch Manning during the final 20 minutes tonight:
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 13, 2026
— 125 passing yards
— 33 rushing yards
— Two fourth down conversions
— Three straight touchdown drives pic.twitter.com/Lq37cmhQ7u
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian admitted he thought the early drops got Manning out of his rhythm, but once the quarterback started taking what the defense gave him and mixing in some running, things changed.
"He was willing to check the ball down, willing to use his legs, and I thought that that was part of the driving force was his grit. His grit started it," Sarkisian said, according to Mary Rominger of KSAT. The coach added, "It was with him ... saying, 'Screw it, let's just go back to letting it rip, and I'm going to trust these guys to go make plays.'"
Manning touched on last year's struggles with the Ohio State defense while celebrating on the field after the game.
"We couldn't lose to them again. I had nightmares about that game last year," Manning told ESPN's Laura Rutledge. "So we're glad to get the win tonight, have a good night in Austin."
