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ITYT: Texas football rewatch: Arch Manning Struggles & Texas Defense Performs

Eric Nahlinby: Eric Nahlin08/31/25
Liona Lefau
Liona Lefau (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Texas Stumbles in Opener Against Ohio State — What Went Right and Wrong?

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The rewatch of the Texas vs. Ohio State game offers a detailed and sober analysis of the Texas Longhorns’ performance, focusing on quarterback Arch Manning, offensive and defensive units, and special teams. The panel, including experts Eric and Cord, re-examines the game using All-22 footage to provide a clearer and less emotional perspective than the immediate postgame reactions.

Arch Manning showed signs of typical rookie struggles—nerves, poor reads, and mechanics—but also flashes of potential with some impressive plays and resilience. Steve Sarkisian’s playcalling was scrutinized but not condemned; adjustments and patience are expected as Arch gains experience. The running game showed improvement in total yards but lacked yards after contact, signaling potential for growth. The offensive line was a bright spot, exceeding expectations with solid pass protection and run blocking, though penalties and some protection busts need addressing.

Receiver play was mixed; while some players like Parker Livingstone and DeAndre Moore showed promise, others like Ryan Wingo struggled with route discipline and timing, partly due to missed practice time. The defense earned high praise for its cohesion, tackling, and playmaking, especially from emerging stars like Graceson Littleton Liona Lefau.

Despite some penalties and limited pass rush impact, the defense is viewed as a foundation for a strong season. Special teams also improved, highlighted by the punter’s effective situational kicking, though kick and punt return roles remain fluid due to ball security concerns. The overall sentiment is cautiously optimistic: the team showed enough positives to look forward to the upcoming games against weaker opponents as opportunities for growth and rhythm-building before tougher SEC contests.

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