AUSTIN, Texas — Arch Manning had a much better showing Saturday in his fourth career start and second as Texas’ full-time starter, accounting for five touchdowns in the No. 6 Longhorns’ 38-7 blowout of San Jose State.
Manning threw touchdown passes on four consecutive first-half possessions to help blow the game open. He added a 20-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter where he tightroped the left sideline to put the game well out of reach.
It was a more encouraging performance for Manning than his first showing in the Longhorns’ 14-7 season-opening road loss to Ohio State. Being in the friendly confines of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and playing a much less formidable opponent in the Spartans certainly played a role.
Manning looked more comfortable and confident when delivering the ball, finishing 19-of-30 passing for 295 yards. But the day wasn’t without its hiccups.
Mixed into Manning’s perfectly placed passes over or between defenders were a handful of misfires. Manning forced a ball under pressure that led to a late-first half turnover. As San Jose State defensive back Isiah Revis closed in, Manning rainbowed a ball toward the right pylon, with Revis hitting Manning’s arm as he threw, causing the ball to hang in the air for an easy interception by Jalen Apalit-Williams.
