Steve Sarkisian Addresses Arch Manning Being Booed by Texas Fans in 1H vs. UTEP

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian discussed fans booing Arch Manning after the signal-caller struggled in the first half of the team's matchup with UTEP on Saturday.

"I told Arch before the season, you've never really been a QB until they boo ya," Sarkisian said in an interview on SEC Network. "He got booed in the first half. Now he can start playing."

While the Longhorns led 14-3 at the half, Manning finished 5-of-16 for 69 yards and an interception through the first two quarters. He also recorded nine straight incompletions just before halftime.

It's worth noting that Manning rushed for 23 yards and two touchdowns on five attempts, but his inconsistency through the air was still concerning.

Expectations were high for the 21-year-old as he entered his first season as Texas' full-time starter, especially with the Longhorns ranked No. 1 in the first Associated Press Top 25 poll.

Manning also looked sharp in the pocket when filling in for Quinn Ewers last season, completing 67.8 percent of his throws for 939 yards and nine touchdowns compared to two interceptions in 10 appearances.

He hasn't been able to build upon his 2024 campaign this season, though.

Manning threw for just 170 yards and one touchdown while getting picked off in Texas' 14-7 season-opening loss to Ohio State, rushing for a mere 38 yards on 10 carries.

While he bounced back with 295 passing yards and four touchdowns to go along with one interception during a 38-7 victory over San Jose State, he didn't build on the momentum heading into Saturday's contest.

The Longhorns' defense stepped up against UTEP instead, holding the Miners scoreless until just under two minutes remained in the first half.