This week’s matchup featured the Texas Longhorns taking on a gritty Mississippi State team loaded with talent. In the SEC, records rarely tell the full story—every week can turn into a dogfight. This one was no different. The game went into overtime, filled with momentum swings and pivotal moments that decided the outcome. When the dust settled, Texas walked away with a hard-fought 45–38 victory—another crucial conference win. Here’s Arch Manning’s Week 9 report card.
Stat line:
63% Completion, 29 of 46, 346 yards, 4 Touchdowns (1 rushing), 1 Interception
Note: Manning sustained an injury in overtime, forcing backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell to step in. Caldwell only attempted one pass—but it turned out to be the game-winner. He connected with Emmett Mosley V for a clutch 10-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone.
What I liked:
Forget the records—Mississippi State’s defense is no joke. They played physical, disciplined football and tested Texas in every phase. Still, Arch Manning took an important step forward this week.
Resilience
Slow starts, missed throws, and disrupted rhythm are part of every quarterback’s journey. What matters most is how you respond. Manning showed maturity by staying composed and poised through adversity, guiding his team when it mattered most.
Processing
The second half told the story of a quarterback who finally found his rhythm. Manning stopped overthinking and started trusting what he saw. His processing speed noticeably improved—he made faster reads, played with anticipation, and looked more confident delivering the ball.
Pocket Movement
This remains one of his best traits. Manning’s ability to navigate chaos—sliding, stepping up, and escaping pressure—kept drives alive. He made several impressive throws on the move, especially rolling to his right. His best moment came when he scrambled left and fired a pinpoint strike to Ryan Wingo, setting up his rushing touchdown a few plays later.
Getting The Ball Out
The progress is visible. Instead of holding the ball or forcing tight windows, Manning recognized open receivers and delivered accurately. His second-half performance was the version of Arch Manning Texas fans have been waiting to see.
Grade: C+ (C+ for “Climb” — signs of growth, but still room to reach his ceiling.)
Final Thoughts
This game was a perfect reminder that Manning doesn’t need to be perfect—he just needs to be efficient, confident, and composed. He looked more in control, more decisive, and more like the quarterback Texas envisioned when he took over the job. If he continues trending upward, don’t be surprised if he catches fire down the stretch. Next up: Texas takes on Diego Pavia and the No. 10 Vanderbilt Commodores (7–1, 3–1 SEC) in what’s shaping up to be a heavyweight SEC showdown.