QB Arch Manning has continued to make promising strides in his first full season as Texas’ starter, and head coach Steve Sarkisian let it be known Saturday just how proud he is of how far the redshirt sophomore has come.
“He’s really growing up before our eyes, and he’s making great decisions,” Sarkisian said after the 20th-ranked Longhorns’ 34-31 win over No. 9 Vanderbilt. “[I’m] very happy with him. It [has] been an extended 12 months. He [has] been via lots and so, for him to have among the success he is having proper now — he deserves it.”
Manning was distinctive in Week 10, finishing 75.8% of his passes (25-for-33) for 328 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Texas is now driving a four-game successful streak after a tough begin to the season.
Manning struggled mightily in his first 5 begins in losses to Ohio State and Florida, solely seemingly doing nicely towards lesser competitors. He accomplished 55.9% of his passes and totaled three touchdowns and three interceptions towards the Buckeyes and the Gators, in comparison with a 64.3% completion charge and an 8-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio in double-digit wins over San Jose State, UTEP and Sam Houston.
In Texas’ 45-38 extra time win towards Mississippi State final week, Manning stuffed the stat sheet, going 29-for-46 for a season-best 346 yards and three touchdowns. He was damage on the primary play of extra time and spent many of the week in concussion protocol earlier than getting cleared Friday. His breakout sport adopted modest showings in wins over Oklahoma and Kentucky, the place he totaled 298 yards (33-for-54) and one rating.
As Manning continues to enhance this season, Sarkisian fielded a query asking if he considers Saturday’s victory over Vandy a “assertion win.” He stopped wanting agreeing, although, and harped on Texas needing to remain the course after dropping its SEC opener.
“They’re all assertion wins proper now, Sarkisian mentioned. “We put ourselves on this place. While you lose your convention opener, it is one sport at a time at that time.”
Following Saturday’s win, Texas (7-2) is now 4-1 within the SEC behind Ole Miss, Alabama and Texas A&M. The Longhorns may have an uphill battle because the 12 months continues in the event that they hope to return to the SEC Championship Recreation after posting a 7-1 mark in convention play in 2024.
In fact, if Manning retains this up, Texas needs to be in good place. Saturday marked his third-highest completion charge of the season — and his most effective outing since Texas earned Crimson River Rivalry bragging rights on Oct. 11.
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