Texas sticking with Arch, 'so close' in passing game

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is sticking with Arch Manning at quarterback with visions of an imminent breakthrough in the passing game.

Sarkisian said Monday there's no changes to make that aren't easily correctable as the Longhorns (2-1) prepare for their final non-conference tuneup on Saturday at home against Sam Houston.

"If Arch was having a bunch of mental errors and not operating the offense well, that maybe would have required to take him out," Sarkisian said Monday after reviewing Manning's 11-of-25 passing game against UTEP.

"I didn't think that was the case. Different things require different things to get your point across. We handled it accordingly. We'll handle it accordingly this week and expect him to come out and have a great game Saturday."

Manning rushed for two touchdowns, threw for a score and finished the win with 114 passing yards and one interception.

Still, Sarkisian said he was more optimistic than ever reviewing the game film because he senses the Longhorns are on the verge of a big game from the offense. It will likely come without starting running back CJ Baxter. Sarkisian said Monday the injury doesn't appear to be a major one, and Texas will play it safe with a trip to Florida in two weeks for the SEC opener.

"We don't think it's overly significant but he'll be out this week just from a precautionary standpoint to hopefully get him ready for SEC play," Sarkisian said.

Manning is completing 55.3 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and three interceptions in three games in 2025. The Longhorns are not planning to change things up pregame -- or in-game -- to simply "get his attention," Sarkisian said.

"Just coach him. That's our job, to coach. Different scenarios call for different measures of what you need to do," Sarkisian explained. "Different things require different things to get your point across."

--Field Level Media