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4 big overreactions after Texas's crushing win vs. ULM

Texas continues to see guys step up and play at all-conference (and even some at All-American type levels) on both sides of the ball in the non-conference finale 48-point win over ULM this weekend.

By Andrew Miller

Anthony Hill Jr., Texas football
Anthony Hill Jr., Texas football / Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Arch Manning, Texas football
Arch Manning, Texas football / Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Arch Manning has an interception problem

Manning got the job done for the Longhorns in his first career start, leading Texas's offense to multiple first-half scoring drives and showing progression in his pocket composure and awareness of knowing when to escape the pocket and make plays with his mobility outside.

It was also impressive to see Manning come up with a strong response to his early interception in the first quarter. It would've been easy for Manning to get down on himself early the first start of his collegiate career after throwing an interception on the game's first drive.

Instead, Manning came out and tossed a beautiful deep ball to junior standout wide receiver Isaiah Bond to take the top off ULM's defense and set the offense up in the red zone for an eventual touchdown.

ULM brought a lot of pressure in this game against Manning, sending blitzes on over 30 percent of defensive play calls outside of third-and-short clear running situations for Texas's offense (per SIS Data Hub). Manning did a nice job of seeing some of those pressure looks and making adjustments for the offensive line to pick up the additional blitzers.

I will say there were some missed opportunities for Manning in this game on his second and third reads to get the ball out to his playmakers in space that he can learn from moving forward. On a handful of throws, Manning was a little bit indecisive getting the ball out of his hands. One of those throws did result in an interception, and he finished the game up with two picks.

It takes a while for a quarterback to get fully up to speed and completely comfortable running head coach Steve Sarkisian's offensive concepts and playbook to a fully-effective degree. Manning said after the game that he's taking things "one play at a time" in this offense as he continues to get settled into Sarkisian's scheme.

"Just continue to try and take what’s there, not force anything, and knowing the shots will come with (Coach) Sark’s offense. Try and move ball forward every play, and one play at a time."

- Arch Manning

Manning clearly has all the talent in the world to be a fantastic starting quarterback for Sarkisian and the Longhorns' offense. But this offense is Quinn Ewers' to lead this season for the Longhorns.

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