Danny Kanell calls out Arch Manning over TD taunt vs. Sam Houston State

If there was a game where Arch Manning could regain confidence, it was Texas‘ game against Sam Houston State on Saturday.

Texas struggled mightily in Week 3 against UTEP, bringing plenty of questions upon the redshirt sophomore quarterback. Flash forward a week however and Manning looked like a million bucks. In the Longhorns’ 55-0 shutout of the Bearkats, he completed 18/21 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 11 yards and two more scores.

Late in the first quarter of the game, Manning kept the ball himself before crossing into the end zone nearly untouched for his fourth rushing score of the season. Sam Houston linebacker Antavious Fish attempted to take down Manning in the end zone, but was unsuccessful.

While Fish fell to the ground, Manning stood over him, waited for him to stand up and then got all up in his personal space. Although the players stuck around for a few extra curriculars following the play, no flag for taunting was thrown.

Texas QB Arch Manning stared down a Sam Houston State defender after running in a touchdown😳🤘pic.twitter.com/MXMcqZZtrH

— On3 (@On3sports) September 21, 2025

While many Texas fans likely loved the passion shown from Arch, CBS Sports HQ‘s Danny Kanell was not a fan.

This is not the flex you think it is https://t.co/nu58qDHyub

— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) September 21, 2025

Sure the opponent isn’t that great, but Arch has been through a lot through just four games this season. Hell, he was even booed off the field in last week’s game against UTEP. The flex over the defender likely allowed Manning to express the frustration building up in prior weeks, which could improve his confidence heading towards the final 2/3 of their season.

Colin Cowherd believes Arch Manning struggles are good for Texas QB

Outside of a five-touchdown, 295-yard passing game against San Jose State two weeks ago, Manning had 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 viewed 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.”

Texas has finally surpassed its easiest part of the schedule, where Manning passed for 888 yards, nine touchdowns and three touchdowns. The real work begins now, as the Longhorns will open SEC play at Florida on Oct. 4 following a bye-week.

On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report