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Arch Manning taunts defender following TD run, gets earful from official

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh09/21/25griffin_mcveigh
Texas QB Arch Manning vs. UTEP
© Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

If there was a game where Arch Manning could regain confidence, it’s with Sam Houston State on the other side. Texas mightily struggled in Week 3 against San Jose State, bringing plenty of questions. Mainly for Manning, in particular, who did not execute up to his standard in the pass game.

Flash forward a week and, early on, we can see some of the energy coming back to Manning. No better example than his touchdown run late in the first quarter. Manning kept the ball himself before barrelling into the end zone nearly untouched. SHSU linebacker Antavious Fish got his arms on the quarterback but spun himself to the ground instead.

Fish then had somebody waiting for him when he stood back up. Manning was right there, ready to talk a little smack. Before Fish even knew what was going on, Manning was also looking right down on him. A little bit of passion from Manning, a moment that did not draw a flag for taunting from officials.

Eventually, the two players were separated from one another. The Texas quarterback made his way back to the sideline before getting stopped by the white hat. He had a conversation with Manning, likely telling him to cool down a little bit. Message not received, at least near the UT bench, as the fired-up manner continued for No. 16.

There is still a long way to go against Sam Houston State. Three more quarters in a game where Texas already leads 14-0. If things go the way head coach Steve Sarkisian wants, Manning winds up watching some plays from the sideline. A bye week is on tap too, getting everyone some rest before an important stretch.

Until then, emotions remain high for Manning. Getting back to the quarterback we saw when replacing Quinn Ewers in 2024 might be the difference between Texas winning once SEC play begins or struggling in a big way.

Colin Cowherd believes Arch Manning struggles are good for Texas QB

Three games into his first season as Texas’ starting quarterback, Arch Manning is already hearing boos from his own fanbase amid a rocky third season in Austin for the former No. 1 overall recruit. The latest heckling came this past after another lackluster first-half performance from the Longhorns offense in last Saturday’s 27-10 win over in-state non-conference foe UTEP.

Outside of a five-touchdown, 295-yard passing game against San Jose State two weeks ago, Manning has struggled with consistency, completing just 50.9-percent of his passes (28-of-55) for 284 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions. And while college football analysts everywhere have debated what’s “wrong” with the Texas QB, at least one views Manning’s early struggles as a valuable growth opportunity that will pay dividends when he eventually makes it into the NFL.

“I think (for) Arch Manning, actually, this is the greatest thing that ever happened to him,” FS1’s Colin Cowherd said during a segment with Joel Klatt on Wednesday’s episode of The Herd. “It’s real turbulence. Texas football, receivers are hurt, on his third-string running back, new O-line, his mechanics are weird. I’m going to argue this is essential if you’re going to make it on Sundays.”

On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report