Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed Monday that Arch Manning remains the starting quarterback for the No. 19 Longhorns, despite consecutive offensive struggles.
“There is no doubt that Manning can perform better for this team, but he remains our starter,” Sarkisian stated during his weekly press conference. “We need to see an improved version of him this week.”
Two weeks ago, the Longhorns held the No. 1 ranking before suffering consecutive regular-season losses for the first time since 2021. Texas (4-2, 1-2 SEC) is set to host No. 7 Mississippi (5-1, 3-1) on Saturday.
As a fourth-year player, Manning has faced challenges in his second season as the full-time starter, drawing criticism for an offense that has struggled throughout the season. His three fourth-quarter turnovers proved decisive in the losses to Oklahoma and Florida.
The nephew of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, he entered college as the top recruit in the nation and was projected as a potential Heisman Trophy contender from the moment he arrived on campus.
Sarkisian believes Manning can still be coached into a much better player than the one displayed so far this season.
“Sometimes that involves encouragement, and sometimes it requires tough love,” Sarkisian explained. “We have to be honest with him about where he needs to improve. The talent is there, and it is our job to bring it out.”
Sarkisian noted that he appreciated Manning’s attitude during their conversation following the loss to Florida.
“He has a chip on his shoulder, and I like that,” Sarkisian remarked.
Manning has vowed to play better moving forward.
“This team is built for adversity, and so am I,” Manning stated. “It is hard not to have a chip on my shoulder, and I actually think I play better with it.”
In Manning’s first season as the starter in 2025, Texas finished 10-3 and narrowly missed the College Football Playoff. After some early struggles last year, he emerged as one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks, leading the Longhorns to seven wins in their final eight games.
This season, Manning ranks 11th in the SEC with 1,295 passing yards, a 64% completion rate, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions. His decision-making during developing plays has appeared hesitant, and he has been sacked 17 times.
Prior to the Florida loss, there were suggestions that Sarkisian might bench Manning in favor of backup KJ Lacey, a highly-rated sophomore recruit with limited game experience.
The 6-foot, 188-pound Lacey has appeared in two games this season, completing seven of eight passes for 63 yards. He has not seen the field since Texas defeated UTSA 30-6 on September 19.
Sarkisian indicated that Lacey will continue to receive first-team practice snaps this week, as usual.
However, Manning’s struggles are not the sole issue plaguing the Texas offense.
Sarkisian’s play-calling has faced significant criticism. Texas has scored more than three touchdowns only once this season, and the team averages just 135 rushing yards per game, ranking among the worst in the conference.
Sarkisian pointed out that with every team in the SEC now holding a loss, Texas remains very much in contention for the conference championship.
“It is easy to listen to the outside noise and buy into the narrative that the sky is falling and the season is over, but we have to get back on the horse and keep riding,” Sarkisian said.
Reporting by the Associated Press.