Arch vows to be better as SEC play approaches

Texas backmost Arch Manning had a elemental connection and a promise: There volition beryllium amended days up from him.

"I cognize the benignant of subordinate that I am," Manning said Monday arsenic helium answered different circular of questions astir a mediocre outing successful past week's triumph implicit UTEP. "I cognize I'm going to play amended and we're going to beryllium amended arsenic an offense."

This week's matchup with Sam Houston, a programme successful lone its 3rd play of FCS-level competition, would typically beryllium an afterthought for the No. 8 squad successful the country.

But Manning's mediocre play has turned the Longhorns' last crippled earlier the Southeastern Conference docket into a must-watch to spot if helium tin present thing adjacent to those preseason Heisman Trophy predictions.

If helium struggles again, a abruptly doubtful fanbase turns its worries into a five-alarm fire. And adjacent if helium plays well, the effect and Manning's stat enactment volition apt beryllium dismissed arsenic coming against inferior competition.

Stats are 1 thing. Just passing the oculus trial this week would beryllium a start.

Manning's play truthful acold has stoked the embers of doubt. He struggled severely successful a season-opening triumph against Ohio State. He started dilatory the adjacent week but rallied with 4 touchdown passes against San Jose State.

His time against UTEP was downright rough. Manning was 11 of 25 passing for 114 yards with 1 touchdown and an interception. He had a streak of 10 consecutive incompletions. He side-armed immoderate throws and missed unfastened receivers. There were boos precocious successful the archetypal half.

Through 3 games, Manning is completing conscionable 55% of his passes.

"It's frustrating due to the fact that I cognize I'm amended than that," Manning said. "But you know, we're going to beryllium amended this week and get clicking connected offense. I'm excited to get going."

Texas manager Steve Sarkisian promised patience with a subordinate hitting the archetypal adversity of his career.

"Here's a feline who's had an awesome life, they mode he's grown up, the radical he's been surrounded by," Sarkisian said. "I deliberation you larn a batch astir yourself done adversity and overcoming adversity. ... When helium gets connected the different broadside of it, I deliberation each of this is going to service good not lone for him, but for america arsenic a team."

Texas wide receiver Parker Livingstone caught 3 touchdown passes successful the archetypal 2 games. Manning severely overthrew him connected a wide unfastened way successful the extremity portion against UTEP.

Livingstone said the wide receivers tin assistance Manning by delivering much large plays erstwhile fixed the chance.

"When helium throws america the ball, it's our occupation to marque a feline miss and make an explosive [play]," Livingstone said.