Steve Sarkisian Defends Arch Manning After Texas Loss to Oklahoma

Following a 27-24 loss to Oklahoma, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has come to the defense of quarterback Arch Manning, who faced criticism after throwing two late interceptions. This defeat marked a significant drop for the Longhorns, who have fallen to No. 7 in the national polls.

Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, had a challenging game, with one interception returned for a touchdown and another occurring late in the game, leading to Oklahoma's winning field goal. Sarkisian emphasized that if Manning were not under such scrutiny, his performance would be viewed more favorably, citing his success against top-ranked teams.

Despite the setbacks, Sarkisian noted that Manning has shown promise this season, completing 63.0 percent of his passes for 1,122 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions. The Longhorns now face a crucial matchup against Florida, with upcoming SEC games that will impact their chances for the College Football Playoff.