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Steve Sarkisian reacts to Arch Manning getting booed by Texas crowd

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh12 hours agogriffin_mcveigh
Texas Steve Sarkisian, Arch Manning
(Will Gallagher | Inside Texas)

Most of Arch Manning in Austin saw him as the most celebrated player inside the program. Even when serving as the backup, Manning is loved by Texas fans. That changed on Saturday against UTEP, hearing the boo birds for the first time in his career due to poor performance.

Steve Sarkisian gave his reaction to the noise from Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. He believes Manning is now officially a quarterback, hearing both ends of the spectrum. Now, the goal is to settle into the game and find something to close out the Miners.

“We’ve just got to get a little rhythm at quarterback,” Sarkisian told SEC Network heading into halftime. “I told Arch before the season, you’ve never really been a quarterback until they boo you. He got booed in the first half. Now, he can start playing.”

Manning only has five completions to his name, coming on 16 attempts. A total of 69 yards brings a lousy average of 4.3 yards per attempt. A wild interception deep in the red zone tells a big part of the story as well, scrambling for his life before dangerously firing a ball right to a UTEP defender.

If there is any positive to take away, it’s two touchdowns being produced on the ground. One came on a nice read option, heading toward the corner of the endzone. Manning then closed out the first half with a score as only one second remained on the clock.

The frustration likely stems from more than just the early UTEP performance, though. Texas did not put together the best offensive showing against San Jose State in the home opener either. Manning was, similar to Saturday, inconsistent. Some big touchdown plays wound up saving him, something Manning needs coming out of the break.

You can say the same about Ohio State, minus the touchdowns. Manning looked like somebody making his first career start on the road with a top defense as the opposition. At the time, it was brushed off, but possibly becoming a reality in front of our eyes.

Manning still has time to figure things out before facing another power conference opponent. Two quarters remain with UTEP, while Sam Houston State comes to Austin on Sept. 20. Then, a massive showdown in Gainesville against the Florida Gators might be where everyone really learns about the capability of Texas to thrive with No. 16 under center.