After the news on Monday that Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is considering benching Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, the junior QB answered questions from the media. Manning says he is going to get better and is playing with a chip on his shoulder for the rest of the season.
The Longhorns have lost two straight games to the Oklahoma Sooners and Florida Gators. Both teams were unranked when they played Texas. During the losing streak, Manning has thrown for just 433 yards, with four touchdowns, two interceptions and a lost fumble. On the season, Manning has completed 63% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
According to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel, the Texas Longhorns are planning to give more practice reps to redshirt
freshman quarterback KJ Lacy Jr. this week ahead of the team's game against Ole Miss. Manning is still expected to start, but Sarkisian is preparing Lacy to enter the game should Arch struggle against the Rebels.
"I think there’s no doubt about it, Arch can play better for us," Sarkisian said in Monday's press conference. "He’s our starter. I need to see a better version of Arch Manning."
Steve Sarkisian says Arch Manning is the starter, but he needs to play better.
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) October 19, 2026
Sarkisian says QB KJ Lacey takes first team reps every week. pic.twitter.com/WAuXFlAVkY
For his part, Manning believes he will improve. He told the media on Monday that he's going to be better.
“I told (Sark) I expect myself to play better," Manning said on Monday. "I haven't put good film on tape for the last five weeks and I'm going to be better. I'm going to be better for my teammates. I'm going to be better for myself and I'm going to be better for my coaches."
#Texas QB Arch Manning:
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) October 19, 2026
“I told (Sark) I expect myself to play better. I haven't put good film on tape for the last five weeks.”@ontexasfootball pic.twitter.com/5oMztSNT8F
The Longhorns offensive line has also been a big problem so far this season and Manning is getting heavily blitzed. The junior from New Orleans says he has to do a better job reading the blitz, because he knows he'll face heavy pressure the rest of the season.
"I've gotta do a better job of handling the pressures in the games," he said. "Other teams are going to keep doing them. So I'll be better at that moving forward."
Manning says he's not going to shy away from throwing the ball downfield.
"I think we just starting letting it rip," Manning said to the media. “Our backs are against the wall right now and there's no place I'd rather be. Just let her rip. I’m gonna die on the hill of I'm letting it rip.”
“I’m gonna die on the hill of letting it rip.”
— Orangebloods.com (@orangebloods_) October 19, 2026
The key theme from Arch Manning today is he’s going “let it rip” and try to be less hesitant with the football pic.twitter.com/nDYPLDijr7
Texas hosts Ole Miss Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning speaks, 'I'm going to be better'
