Texas coach Steve Sarkisian saw quarterback Arch Manning bounce back in a 38-7 win over San Jose State, saying this game showcased more of Manning’s style.<\/b>
\n— A week after Arch Manning struggled in a loss at Ohio State, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian saw his quarterback bounce back in a 38-7 win over San Jose State and said this game showcased more of Manning’s style.
Manning matched a career high with four touchdown passes, going 19-of-30 for 295 yards, and added a 20-yard touchdown scramble, tiptoeing down the left sideline at the end of the third quarter.
\u00ab\u00a0I thought today was a byproduct of the week of work. He played aggressive throughout the week. He studied the game plan. He knew exactly what we were trying to do, and I thought today he played more of his style\u00a0\u00bb, Sarkisian said. \u00ab\u00a0He extended plays, used his legs, scrambles for a touchdown. That’s the style of player that he is.\u00a0\u00bb
On several plays, Manning rolled out and found receivers. A few of his passes were dropped, with Sarkisian saying Texas \u00ab\u00a0didn’t catch the ball great for him.\u00a0\u00bb But Sarkisian was pleased that Manning made plays when things broke down.
\u00ab\u00a0Him playing his game and not trying to play at somebody else’s style of game, I think it is important for him\u00a0\u00bb, Sarkisian said.
Manning also threw a bad interception while under pressure, heaving the ball into double coverage from the Spartans’ 14-yard line. San Jose State defenders had a shot at picking off a couple of his other throws but failed to haul them in.
\u00ab\u00a0A lot to work on\u00a0\u00bb, Manning said. \u00ab\u00a0I thought it was sloppy for my part. Can’t turn the ball over in the red area. I’ve got to play better. I think all around, it was a little sloppy.\u00a0\u00bb
Manning started slowly, going 3-of-6 for 11 yards on his first two drives. But then, on a third-and-3 with 2:52 left in the first quarter, Manning found Parker Livingstone along the left sideline, and he turned it upfield for an 83-yard touchdown.
The touchdown throw was part of a stretch where Manning went 5-for-5 for 142 yards and 4 touchdowns, including TDs on three consecutive passing attempts — a 3-yarder to Livingstone, then 36- and 16-yarders to tight end Jack Endries.
\u00ab\u00a0Anytime you can get points on the board after a slow start, it feels good\u00a0\u00bb, Manning said. \u00ab\u00a0Then, [we] finally got some rhythm. Defense started stepping up, too, so we’ve just got to start quicker next week.\u00a0\u00bb
The Longhorns, who committed 12 penalties for 115 yards, have four new offensive line starters, and many new players at wide receiver and tight end. And even Texas stars like edge rusher Colin Simmons (two penalties for offsides, one for roughing the passer) didn’t perform their best.
\u00ab\u00a0I think as our team in general goes, this is not the best version of Texas football this season that we’re going to see\u00a0\u00bb, Sarkisian said. \u00ab\u00a0My foot’s got to get in their butt here on Monday morning. That’s unacceptable. And there’s a standard in which we want to play the game, and 12 penalties does not meet that standard.\u00a0\u00bb
Manning said all week that he had to play better for Texas to win. He was encouraged by his performance Saturday, finding a way to make plays, but doesn’t believe he’s at his best.
Sarkisian said Manning is gifted with his dual-threat abilities, but his team is learning on the fly how to block for him while he’s scrambling or that he could throw while on the move.
\u00ab\u00a0There’s things that we’re learning as we go as a team, but those are some of the growing pains that we have to work through\u00a0\u00bb, Sarkisian said.
Those growing pains still resulted in an easy win at home Saturday. For Sarkisian, he said he can see the trust growing among his players, including Manning.
\u00ab\u00a0The guys rally around him, you can feel it today on the sidelines\u00a0\u00bb, Sarkisian said. \u00ab\u00a0They really like playing with Arch, and that’s important.\u00a0\u00bb<\/p>\n