Texas quarterback Arch Manning is off to a rough start against UTEP in Week 3.
After a bounce-back game last weekend, Manning is having an inefficient afternoon against the Miners. He’s 5 of 16 for just 69 yards and an interception at halftime.
The result is Texas leads UTEP just 14-3 at halftime in Austin. The Longhorns, who have never lost to UTEP, entered this game favored by as many as 40 points at some sportsbooks.
Manning threw 9 consecutive incompletions at one point in the first half. He was fortunate to not be picked off for the second time with under a couple minutes left in the first half. After that play, which ended a Texas drive, the boo birds came out and could be heard loudly on the broadcast:
His first interception was particularly painful for the Longhorns. Texas was in the red zone on 4th down, but as Manning roamed to his right, he threw across his body over the middle of the field in search of a teammate. Instead, he found a UTEP defensive back.
It’s been a slower-than-expected start to the season for Manning, but his performance against UTEP is still rather surprising. He entered the week as one of the Heisman Trophy favorites despite the loss to Ohio State in Week 1.
Manning did rush for 2 touchdowns in the first half, including one in the final seconds before the break.
Texas is 6-0 all-time against UTEP.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
