Instant Analysis: Tweaks on offensive line opened up Manning, Texas offense

AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 20 Texas looked like they were going to boat race the ninth-ranked team in the country Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, but then Vanderbilt did something about it.

The Commodores ripped off three fourth-quarter touchdowns to climb back into the game, only to have the Longhorns fend them off, coming away with a 34-31 win and keeping hope alive for a berth in the Southeastern Conference title game.

Arch Manning played his best game in burnt orange, and it’s no coincidence that it happened when Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said it was also the offensive line’s best performance. Manning didn’t get sacked, throwing for 328 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He completed 76% of his passes, and the Longhorns were 5-for-5 in the red zone to go with a 7-for-11 performance on third down.

Manning didn’t practice until Wednesday, spending all week in concussion protocol following the overtime win over Mississippi State last week. Sarkisian said Manning was cleared by doctors Friday morning to play, and it looked like Manning had been working all week.

Sarkisian went into detail about some changes on the offensive line that helped unlock the run game and gave Manning the protection he needed. Cole Hutson moved back to left guard and Connor Robertson shifted to center, and clearly, it was the right move.

Roger Wallace and LeVon Whittaker discussed the big win in this week’s installment of Instant Analysis, standing in the south end zone of Campbell-Williams Field.