Arch Manning: 'I wasn't good enough' after Texas' 14-7 loss to No. 3 Ohio State
Newly named Texas starter acknowledged a subpar performance, saying he must lead more after completing 17 of 30 passes in Week 1 defeat
Arch Manning said Monday he fell short of the standard he expects of himself after the Texas Longhorns opened the season with a 14-7 loss to No. 3 Ohio State at Ohio Stadium.
The newly minted Texas starter completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Week 1 defeat on Saturday. "I hold myself to a high standard," Manning told reporters, according to ESPN. "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."
Manning said he did not feel fully comfortable until the second half, when Texas generated 260 yards of offense but managed only seven points. He added that he began to "let it rip a little more" in the latter stages of the game as he tried to rally the offense. Manning is a member of one of football’s most storied families and entered the season under heightened scrutiny after being named the Longhorns’ starter.
Saturday’s game pitted Manning and Texas against the defending national champions and a top-ranked Ohio State team. The Buckeyes held a 14-7 margin at the final whistle. Manning’s interception and other miscues were factors in a game where the Longhorns struggled to convert yardage into points despite late offensive production.
Manning met with reporters on Monday to assess his opening performance and to set expectations for improvement. He acknowledged the need to do more as a leader on and off the field and emphasized responsibility for elevating teammates’ play.
Texas coaches and players have not released an extensive public plan of adjustments, but Manning’s comments underscored a recognition within the program that the offense must be more efficient and that the quarterback’s development will be central to the team’s progress this season.
The Longhorns will turn their focus to preparation for their next opponent as they seek to translate yardage into scoring and for Manning to demonstrate the growth he described in his postgame remarks. The loss leaves Texas with immediate questions about consistency and execution as the season begins.