Even before the beginning of the 2025 season, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning had been the hot topic of conversation. Call it the effect of his heavy last name or Steve Sarkisian’s hope of getting rid of the QB dilemma, the 21-year-old has never been left alone. Sarkisian always goes the extra mile to defend Manning. So much so that the head coach recently fell into a sticky spot. The reason? His controversial interview with a reporter after their win against San Jose State. In Week 3, Texas sealed a 27-10 win over UTEP. But doubts prevailed with Manning’s performance. That’s when a coordinator jumped to safeguard the quarterback while Sarkisian opened up about the mental toll involved in playing the most important position in college sports.

Manning’s passing stats? The quarterback completed 11 of 25 passes for 114 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. “We couldn’t find the rhythm in the passing game the way we would have liked,” accepted Sarkisian. “We couldn’t create explosive plays. He [Manning] didn’t convert makeable third downs and fourth downs, and it took the wind out of our sails and out of the stadium.” If the head coach himself is not happy with his quarterback, think about the fans? That’s when Michael Bimonte took matters into his hands.

On September 13, RT Young posted a post-game clip from the Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. The caption read, “Arch Manning getting encouraged by passing game coordinator Mike Bimonte walking off the field at DKR. 27-10 Texas but a rough day for 16. @InsideTexasd.” Indeed, tough times are rolling for Manning as he struggles to find his rhythm. To make it worse, he got booed by his own fans. 

These were same home fans who once roared loudest for him last season when he made his debut. The reason? Manning failed to complete 10 straight passes in the first half. Meanwhile, three of Texas’ first four drives stalled, ending either on downs or with an interception. So, even after curating a pair of rushing touchdowns, Manning’s wheels fell off as a passer.

It did not take much time for the fans to point out the quarterback’s struggle to connect on potential touchdown passes to Ryan Wingo and Parker Livingstone, Texas’ prime receiver weapons. Wingo ended the game with three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown, while Livingstone added two receptions for 32 yards.

Manning’s two rushing touchdowns came during a stretch of 10 straight incompletions in the first half. Manning also threw an interception in the red zone while rolling out and evading pressure, as his across-the-body pass was picked off by UTEP safety Xavier Smith, who was tackled at the 5-yard line.

Steve Sarkisian stands firm behind Arch Manning

In every step, the head coach has tried to keep Manning’s confidence strong. When the quarterback threw 19 of 30 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns against San Jose State, reports flared that he was seen wincing after some throws, raising injury buzz. When the reporter asked for an update, Sarkisian slammed the rumor, backing it up with an inappropriate comment, “He doesn’t have any…I’ve never filmed any of you guys when you’re using the bathroom. So, I don’t know what faces you make when you’re doing that.”

But maybe that was not enough to stop fans from showing their frustration with Manning. After all, the quarterback held the ball too long, came up with some wobbly throws, looked jumpy and unsure about what to do in the pocket. As the Manning jokes started to do rounds on the internet, Sarkisian showed his support. On the quarterback’s struggle, he commented, “For the most part, it’s all mental.” As Evan Vieth reported, Sarkisian believes “ Manning needs to work on recalibrating and refocusing on the next play after making mistakes.” And guess it’s not only Manning who caught strays.

Paul Finebaum paid a heavy cost and was dragged into the post-game conversation. Well, it had to be. After all, the ESPN analyst has been the biggest supporter of Manning. Remember his high praise about the Texas quarterback? “Arch Manning is the best player we have seen from every aspect since Tim Tebow,” the analyst said a few weeks back.

Maybe, he might be regretting that comment a bit more now. On3’s Thomas Goldkamp was waiting for the final whistle to blow to dig up Paul Finebaum’s bold take. After the UTEP game, he tweeted, “Can’t say I recall Tim Tebow ever getting booed.”