
Following Texas‘ stunning 29-21 loss to Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Arch Manning struck a calm, determined tone while addressing reporters.
Even after a game that saw the Longhorns outplayed in the trenches and rattled by a raucous Gainesville crowd, Manning’s message was one of resilience.
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“Absolutely. It’s a long season. Anything can happen,” Manning said. “We’ve just got to continue to get better each week and take it one game at a time.”
His optimism came after one of the roughest outings of his college career. Manning completed just 16 of 29 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns but was sacked six times and pressured throughout the afternoon.
The Gators’ relentless front seven forced hurried throws and limited his ability to extend plays, exposing cracks in what had been a promising Texas offense.
Florida’s defense overwhelms Texas
The Gators made life miserable for the Longhorns’ offensive line, which never managed to establish control. Texas’ running backs combined for just 15 yards, while Manning’s 37 rushing yards on 15 carries came mostly from improvisation under pressure.
Florida’s linebackers consistently collapsed the pocket, taking advantage of protection breakdowns and disrupting Texas’ rhythm before drives could take shape.
The crowd of more than 90,000 at “The Swamp” only added to the chaos, roaring with every sack and incompletion.
It was a stark contrast to the poised, high-octane attack that had carried Texas to its 3-1 start. Head coach Steve Sarkisian‘s team looked out of sync for much of the game, failing to sustain momentum after a strong opening drive.
Looking ahead to Oklahoma
The loss marked Texas’ first defeat in SEC play and likely ended its brief stay in the Top 10 of the AP poll. Still, the road ahead offers redemption and a chance to prove that Saturday’s stumble was a temporary setback rather than a defining moment.
The Longhorns’ next challenge comes in the form of a fierce rivalry matchup against No. 5 Oklahoma. Sarkisian and his staff face an urgent task: fixing protection issues, reestablishing the ground game, and steadying a young quarterback who took a beating but didn’t lose faith.
Manning’s composure afterward reflected the maturity Texas hoped for when handing him the keys to the offense. He didn’t point fingers or make excuses, focusing instead on the long season ahead.
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