Who is Arch Manning’s biggest critic? It’s Arch Manning

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said he wants 20% of his team’s offensive plays to be of the explosive variety, plays that gain at least 20 yards, and against Ohio State, the Longhorns’ rate was at 11%.

Why? According to quarterback Arch Manning, the answer was simple.

“Me.”

Manning took ownership of his inconsistent play in the season opener against the Buckeyes on Saturday in the team’s 14-7 loss. He completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, throwing an interception in the third quarter that led to Ohio State’s second touchdown. He did, however, nearly bring his team back from a 14-0 deficit with a great touchdown throw to Parker Livingstone in the fourth quarter.

He racked up 144 passing yards in the second half after just 26 in the first half, saying a conversation with Sarkisian at halftime really helped him out. But, he said, he needs to start faster and simply play better for the Longhorns to reach their goals this year.

“I hold myself to a high standard, and I recognize that I have to play better,” he said. “I have to lead more and get my guys to play better around me. It wasn’t good enough.”

Despite the second-half improvement, Manning said there “wasn’t much to like” about how he played. Sarkisian had a more optimistic view of Manning’s game, saying that while there were “opportunities with guys open” and Manning’s mechanics broke down at times, there were flashes of the player he can become.

“He’s a better athlete than he gives himself credit for,” Sarkisian said. “He started playing football the way he’s capable of playing in the second half.”

Manning wants “a handful” of plays back from Saturday’s game. Obviously, time doesn’t work like that, but that’s something Manning will fix on the practice field. He’s extremely talented, there’s no doubt about that, but playing college football at an elite level is more than just being talented.

“I’m determined. This is going to motivate me to play better,” he said. “That’s what we need to win.”

Texas (0-1) hosts San Jose State in the home opener at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Spartans (0-1) lost 16-14 to Central Michigan in their season opener.