DALLAS — No. 1 Texas had its cracks were exposed against Oklahoma on Saturday, Oct. 10, as special teams mistakes and turnovers mounted in their 27-24 upset loss to the Sooners.
Quarterback Arch Manning was mostly solid against the Sooners but made two critical mistakes in crucial spots in the back-and-forth fourth quarter that helped decide the game.. Manning finished 19-of-31 for 260 yards with three touchdowns but it was two interceptions — one of which was returned for a 42-yard touchdown by Peyton Bowen with the other setting up Oklahoma's game-winning field goal — that changed the outcome.
"I think we got to do a better job, especially me not
being loose with the ball," Manning said. "I think we beat ourselves a lot tonight."
Texas' offense has struggled to this point in the season but have largely gone unnoticed due to the Longhorns' previous undefeated record and No. 1 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The Sooners stout defense was able to take advantage of numerous Longhorns mistakes, including a missed block on Oklahoma's blocked punt in the first quarter that was returned for a touchdown.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was overall pleased with Manning's performance, outside of the mistakes.
"I think Arch competed his tail off and he made some tremendous plays," Sarkisian said. "To the shots down the field, to the drives when we had to have them. He's made a lot of plays scrambling out of the pocket. He went to make a play and the ball gets intercepted on the one they run back (for a touchdown).
"As an competitor, he'd love to have that back, but he was competing, and there's a fine line there. ... I thought there was a level of confidence, consistency and rhythm he was in."
Manning was short-winded after the loss as he fielded questions after what might be his final Red River Rivalry game in the Cotton Bowl. He explained his point of view of the pick-6 he threw in the fourth quarter bluntly.
"Was trying to extend the play, threw it to Cam (Coleman)," Manning said. "I missed high and can't do that backed up to give them the lead."
Texas outgained Oklahoma 382-238 on the afternoon, as its offense moved the ball more efficiently and more often than the Sooners, who scored one offensive touchdown. The Longhorns entered the game ranking 82nd of 138 FBS teams in total offense this season, averaging 378.5 yards per game. They haven't scored more than 24 points in each of their three games against Power Four opponents — Ohio State, Tennessee and Oklahoma.
Texas has one of the most-talented rosters on paper in the country and has shown to be a top-tier national championship contender with its comeback win over Ohio State. Some of its flaws were amplified against archrival Oklahoma, though.
"It's obviously a level of disappointment," Sarkisian said. "There's a level of anger and frustration because we know we have issues that need to be fixed, and we're working on those issues and trying to get them fixed. But they reared their ugly head today against a quality team, and that's what happens in this conference if you expose yourself to these errors."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arch Manning, Texas make crucial mistakes in loss to Oklahoma: 'I think we beat ourselves'
