AUSTIN, Texas — After Texas quarterback Arch Manning used each inch of his 6-foot-4 body to grab a landing go on a trick play from large receiver Parker Livingstone within the first quarter of the Longhorns’ 52-37 win over Arkansas on Saturday, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian rotated to have fun and noticed a well-recognized face.
“Vince Younger was high-fiving me,” Sarkisian mentioned of the legendary Longhorns quarterback. “He mentioned, ‘Man, I want I might’ve had that play.'”
Manning did one thing that not even Younger, or another Longhorns quarterback, had achieved at Texas. He grew to become the primary participant at school historical past to catch a TD, throw one and rush for an additional Saturday, when he accounted for six scores and handed for 389 yards.
Manning accomplished three passes that traveled greater than 40 yards (he had two this season coming into Saturday), and 4 wideouts had greater than 74 yards receiving, together with DeAndre Moore Jr., whose three catches all went for scores. However even he was impressed by Manning’s fingers on that reception, giving him a lofty grade.
“Oh, 10 out of 10,” Moore mentioned. “I did not know he had that in him, man. I feel he had to return to them basketball days. He went up and caught that factor.”
No. 17 Texas (8-3, 5-2 within the SEC) stored its School Soccer Playoff hopes alive with the win over the reeling Razorbacks, who misplaced their ninth consecutive sport. Texas’ 52 factors had been the second most at school historical past in opposition to an SEC crew, behind solely its 66-31 win over Ole Miss in 2012.
The win got here after per week of noise following Texas’ 35-10 loss to Georgia and after Sarkisian denied stories that he and Texas might half methods after the season or that he had curiosity in different jobs.
“I didn’t need to be a distraction, however I felt prefer it was changing into one,” Sarkisian mentioned, noting that he was happy with how his gamers responded.
Manning had his third sport with no less than 300 yards passing previously 4 weeks, coming at an important time because the Longhorns put together to host No. 3 Texas A&M on Friday, with one final likelihood to impress the playoff committee.
“The important thing to the drill … is management what we are able to management and what we management is making ready rather well for an undefeated top-five crew in A&M coming in right here subsequent Friday evening,” Sarkisian mentioned. “We have got to arrange rather well so we are able to go play our greatest soccer as a result of our greatest soccer might be wanted.”
Manning’s efficiency is encouraging as a result of, regardless of his gaudy numbers, he mentioned he seems like he nonetheless did not play his finest sport.
“I left so much on the market,” he mentioned. “I might have been extra correct.”
However Sarkisian mentioned he has been impressed with Manning’s studying curve this season, starting with that 14-7 loss to No. 1 Ohio State, throughout which Manning accomplished 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with 1 landing and 1 interception. He threw for fewer than 200 yards in opposition to UTEP, Oklahoma and Kentucky, however has averaged 328.5 yards over the previous 4 video games.
“The factor that I am most likely most impressed with is his poise,” Sarkisian mentioned. “Even going into the sport, he feels completely different in pregame than he did two months in the past. Even within the moments tonight when issues broke down just a little bit, he simply appears so underneath management as he was avoiding the push and protecting his eyes downfield. I feel Arch two months in the past was simply dropping his head and working as quick as he might in direction of the road of scrimmage.”
With one last take a look at six days away, Sarkisian might be placing so much on Manning’s shoulders. “He’s enjoying at a excessive stage,” Sarkisian mentioned. “And he is enjoying at a excessive stage on the proper time for us.”