No. 22 Texas (5–2, 2–1 SEC) escaped Lexington with a narrow 13–10 SEC victory over Kentucky (2–4, 0–4 SEC). It wasn’t a performance to remember offensively, but as always, Arch Manning gets his weekly game report card.
Here’s what I saw:
Stat Line
12-of-27, 132 yards
Remarks: Completing just 44% of your passes won’t cut it at the Division I level — especially not at Texas. This marks Manning’s second-worst performance of the season, behind the outing against UTEP.
The Good
With a game like this, it’s hard to find many positives. But to Manning’s credit, there were flashes — moments where he scrambled for a key first down or delivered an on-time throw to keep the offense alive. Those glimpses show that he’s capable of executing the offense when in rhythm. Otherwise, he wouldn’t still be under center.
The Bad
This isn’t about tearing a young quarterback apart — it’s about understanding where growth is needed. Manning’s developmental areas stood out clearly in this one:
Footwork: A quarterback’s feet are everything. Manning’s base was rushed far too often, leading to off-target throws. While protection issues exist, he can help himself by resetting his feet before delivering the football.
Holding the Ball: Several plays saw open outlets — running backs or receivers in the flats — that Manning simply didn’t pull the trigger on. Sometimes the check down is the smart decision, especially when the pocket begins to collapse.
Reset the Mindset: The outside noise will only get louder, but Manning needs to keep things simple. Trust the play call, take what the defense gives, and let the offense work for him. The talent is there; now it’s about slowing the game down mentally.
The Grade
Grade: D (Below Average)
Remarks: Effort was evident, but rhythm and timing were inconsistent. Reads were a beat late, accuracy wavered, and overall command of the offense never truly settled in.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those “watch the film, then throw it away” games. Texas fans expect a clean product on offense, and this week didn’t deliver that. Still, Manning has another opportunity to bounce back as the Longhorns travel to Davis Wade Stadium to face Mississippi State (4–3, 0–3 SEC). Expect him — and the Texas offense — to flip the page and respond.