This was the Arch Manning that was promised. Just don’t expect to see him much more this season.
On Saturday, Associated Press No. 8 Texas Longhorns defeated the winless Sam Houston Bearkats (0-4), 55-0, and Manning looked much more like the highly touted No. 1 overall recruit of the 2023 high-school class than he has all year. Before being pulled midway through the third quarter, Manning was 18-of-21 for 309 yards (14.7 yards per attempt) and five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing).
Despite gaudy numbers, it’s wise to curb enthusiasm over Arch Manning’s start
As stellar as the performance was, it certainly helped that it came against Sam Houston State, which entered Saturday No. 130 nationally in scoring defense, allowing 38.7 points per game. Manning won’t face a unit as porous as the rest of the season. While it’s good that he took advantage of the overmatched competition, SEC competition will be a completely different challenge.
Manning rarely faced pressure, making things easy for him on his beautiful 53-yard touchdown to sophomore wide receiver Ryan Wingo in the third quarter.
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