Arch Manning Takes Blame After Texas’ Narrow Loss to Ohio State
UPDATE: In a gripping showdown, Texas quarterback Arch Manning took full responsibility for the Longhorns’ 14-7 defeat against the defending national champions, Ohio State, on Saturday, August 30, 2025. Manning, in his first season as the starting QB, expressed his determination to improve after a challenging game.
Manning struggled to navigate the Buckeyes’ formidable defense, completing 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. His lone touchdown, thrown to Parker Livingstone, came late in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory.
“It took us too long to get the ball down the field,” Manning stated post-game, emphasizing the need for personal improvement. “They’re a good team, but I thought we beat ourselves a lot. That starts with me, and I’ve got to play better for us to win,” he added, highlighting the emotional weight of the loss.
Despite dominating possession for over 27 minutes and outgaining Ohio State 336-215 in total yards, Texas struggled to capitalize in the red zone, turning the ball over on downs twice in the second half. This inefficiency proved costly against a disciplined Buckeyes team.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian defended Manning, crediting Ohio State’s strategic defense and smart secondary. “They’ve got a good scheme,” he said. “I think Arch had a chance to really sit and look at the tape and understand some of the coverages they were playing, which helped him in the second half.”
Looking ahead, Texas will aim to rebound against San Jose State next week, while Ohio State prepares to face Grambling. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Manning to see how he responds to this early-season setback.
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