Texas' Arch Manning Says Struggles vs. Ohio State Will 'Motivate Me to Play Better'

Texas quarterback Arch Manning had a rough start to the 2025 season, finishing 17-of-30 for 170 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Saturday's 14-7 loss against defending champions Ohio State.

And he knows it.

"I hold myself to a high standard," he told reporters Monday. "I've got to play better, got to lead more, got to get our guys to play well around me and ultimately I wasn't good enough."

He added: "I'm determined. I think this is going to motivate me to play better and that's what we need to win."

Manning came into the season with enormous expectations after finally being named the full-time starter. He spent his first two seasons largely sitting behind Quinn Ewers, though he flashed in a few limited starts last year (939 yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions).

That had him on Heisman lists atop many 2026 NFL draft boards from pundits, though he didn't look like that guy over the weekend, albeit against an excellent Ohio State defense in The Horseshoe.

"I think one thing that happened a little bit to Arch is the game can mount on you, and you feel like, 'Oh man, we're not scoring, or I missed a read or I missed a throw,'" head coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters. "When in reality you look at the scoreboard, it's still 0-0. This game, it was a very tight game. I don't think he needed to press, and I think he'll learn that as we go, especially [because] he's fortunate right now. He's got a great defense on the other side of the ball."

Manning said he grew into the game more in the second half as the Texas offense found more of a rhythm.

"I realized we've got to go start making plays and I let it rip a little more," he said. "I've got to start that sooner."

Granted, he was able to lead the Longhorns on long drives. But the team struggled immensely in the red zone, turning the ball over on downs twice inside Ohio State's 10-yard line. Texas was just 1-of-5 on fourth downs in total, a key factor in the loss.

Manning also missed some easy throws, forced the ball badly on his interception and seemed a bit flustered by Ohio State's pass rush and coverage. It wasn't the start he would have hoped for this season, but the schedule will be far easier in September before the Longhorns begin their SEC slate in October.

That should offer Manning and the Texas offense a chance to find its footing.