What is the story about?
If one stat summed up why Ohio State beat No. 1 Texas in Columbus this weekend, it was how differently Arch Manning performed depending on pressure. According to PFF, Manning posted an 87.3 passing grade when kept clean, but that plummeted to just 35.3 under pressure.
Why It Mattered
- Clean vs Chaos: When Manning had time and was kept clean, he actually fared very well and performed like the player many expected, completing throws efficiently, averaging 9.2 yards per attempt, and keeping the Longhorns in rhythm. But the moment Ohio State’s front seven disrupted the pocket, and that happened a lot, everything changed. Under pressure, Manning’s yards per attempt fell to just 3.0, and his passer rating cratered to 35.3.
- Buckeye Front Wins the Day: What’s remarkable is that Ohio State generated this kind of impact without piling up gaudy sack totals. Instead, consistent disruption forced Manning off his spot and into rushed decisions, neutralizing Texas’ offensive firepower. According to PFF, Ohio State registered pressure on Arch Manning on 35.3% of his dropbacks.
- Game-Swinging Impact: On the final two drives, Texas needed Manning to deliver. Instead, the Buckeyes collapsed the pocket repeatedly, and Manning couldn’t adjust. The Longhorns’ offensive identity, built on balance and explosive plays, was reduced to desperation throws.
Final Thought
The box score shows a defensive slugfest, but the advanced numbers tell the real story. Arch Manning was good with a clean pocket, but almost unrecognizable when pressured. Ohio State’s defense may not have lit up the stat sheet with sacks,
but by making Manning uncomfortable, they earned one of the program’s biggest regular-season wins in years.
Do you find this article useful?
