Arch Manning doesn’t like re-watching the game film from Texas’ loss to Ohio State last season.
“It's rough film to watch,” the second-year Texas starting quarterback told reporters Monday, Sept. 7. “I don’t like watching it that much.”
The fourth-year quarterback is a different player than he was in Week 1 of 2025, his first game as the Longhorns’ full-time starter. The Manning-led Texas offense scored only seven points in the 14-7 loss on the road last season, with Manning completing 17-of-30 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown to an interception.
When No. 3 Texas hosts No. 1 Ohio State in a rematch of last season’s game, Manning has the opportunity to
show how much he has improved in the time since.
“Feel like I’m a year better,” Manning said. “Anytime you go throughout a season, get reps, get game experience, then a whole offseason to get better and a game last week, feel like I’m a year better.”
The heralded former five-star recruit and latest quarterback from the Manning family entered the 2025 season with huge — sometimes unfair — expectations. The outside frustrations regarding his play hit a high note in Week 3 against UTEP, when he completed only 11-of-25 passes for 114 yards with a touchdown to an interception, leading an offense that scored 27 points against one of the worst teams in FBS.
Manning flipped a switch down the stretch last season, though, starting to fulfill those expectations. He scored 19 of his 36 total touchdowns in Texas’ last six games, throwing for 300 or more yards in three of those final matchups.
He wasn’t the only quarterback that looked like a different player throughout the 2025 season. Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin also made his first start as the full-time starter against Texas last season, and he completed 13-of-20 passes for a measly 126 yards with a touchdown in the win before going on to have one of the best seasons among quarterbacks in college football.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is expecting a vastly different game with both quarterbacks in different parts of their careers.
“Pretty drastically different,” he said of the two quarterbacks. “I just think you see the level of confidence that both guys are playing with. I think what you notice is the presence in the pocket. I think you notice their confidence to use their legs, you saw Julian do it last week. He tucked it and ran for a touchdown.
“I just think the confidence. Both guys deliver the ball with accuracy, you see the trust and timing. Pretty drastic difference of the two players now the second time around going up against one another. So should be pretty high-level quarterback play come Saturday.”
Manning looked comfortable in Texas’ Week 1 blowout of Texas State, completing 20-of-27 passes for 305 yards with four touchdowns in the 59-7 win, albeit with an interception. The additions of Auburn transfer Cam Coleman and a new-look running game led by Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown only helps Manning’s case.
The spotlight will be on the second-year starter in Week 2, especially with ESPN’s “College GameDay” in town for the game. There are expectations, too, for Sarkisian, who’s 0-2 against Ohio State the last two seasons, including in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Manning is embracing the challenge.
“This is why you come to Texas, to play in these big-time games,” he said. “Excited it’s at home against a really good team and a good defense. We’re excited. I’m going to take it all in, but live in the moment right now.”
With a Heisman matchup against Sayin and fellow contender Jeremiah Smith, along with CFP implications on the line, Manning has a chance to flip the script on his doubters.
It would certainly cool off the bad film he put out a year ago.
“Not a lot of good memories a year ago,” Manning said. “Hoping to have a good game this year.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arch Manning failed against Ohio State last season. He can flip the script in Round 2
