Arch Manning currently looks more like a player who might need as much college eligibility as he can get than a Heisman hopeful. Week 1 against the Ohio State Buckeyes, after he became the Heisman favorite, was bad.
Week 2 against San Jose State University was much better, albeit against bad competition. Week 3 against UTEP, theoretically bad competition, was bad once again. Manning was 11/25 for 114 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The Texas Longhorns won, but he was not good.
That’s not good news for a team that was seemingly destined for great things with a great QB, but head coach Steve Sarkisian believes the troubles are actually a good thing for the young QB in his first year as a starter.
“[He can only go up from here.] I think some of this is really good,” Sarkisian said. “This is a guy who’s had an awesome life, the way he’s grown up, where he played, the school he went to, the people he’s been surrounded by, but I think you learn a lot about yourself through adversity.”
The coach added that overcoming these struggles will teach Manning a lot. “When he gets on the other side, I think all of this is going to serve not only well for him but well for us as a team,” Sarkisian went on. “Love the challenge for him, love the challenge for us.” He noted that Manning has a strong mind and good work ethic, so he does believe he’ll get on the other side by “the end of the movie.”
