​Arch Manning grades: Texas QB flips script with fourth-quarter comeback vs. Ohio State originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.For three quarters, Texas quarterback Arch Manning lived out a nightmarish sequel against No. 1 Ohio State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday. In the fourth quarter, however, Manning might have finally become a Longhorns’ legend. Manning led No. 4 Texas to three fourth-quarter touchdown drives in a 24-23 victory that gave the quarterback a signature September victory that will have massive implications later in the College Football Playoff race. Manning – who had 60 passing yards at halftime – finished 23 of 37 for 196 yards, a TD and an interception. In the process, he turned a massive flop into an unforgettable performance. “I’m so proud of our guys in all three phases,” Manning said on the ABC telecast afterward. “It wasn’t very pretty but we found a way to win. That’s a good game, too.”Manning had a wide smile, too. So how do you grade this start? A look at Manning’s grades. Arch Manning’s first quarter: F You could not have scripted a worse start for Texas – but how much of that is on Manning?Manning threw a swing pass to Hollywood Smothers on the first play from scrimmage, but Ohio State cornerback Jay Timmons stripped the ball and recovered the fumble. The Buckeyes converted that into a 26-yard field goal by Connor Hawkins.Manning’s next pass – a deep over route to Cam Coleman – turned into disaster. Manning slightly overthrew Coleman, and the ball bounced in the air as the receiver hit the ground. Jaylen McClain came up with a fluky interception – which the Buckeyes turned into a 8-yard TD reception by Ja’Kobi Jackson. Texas has had 5 plays on offense.2 of those plays have resulted in turnovers.pic.twitter.com/yrrR217Zsx— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 13, 2026Manning took a sack on third-and-4 on the next drive on a play where he didn’t get rid of the ball on time. The Longhorns had five yards in the first quarter and trailed 10-0. ABC analyst Kirk Herbstreit noted that four pass attempts resulted in a fumble, interception, incompletion and sack. Manning was 1 of 3 for -4 yards at that point. MORE: Michigan bounces back, upset OklahomaArch Manning’s second quarter: D The Longhorns stopped a fourth-and-1 – and Manning led a 16-play, 69-yard scoring drive on the next possession that led to a 37-yard field goal by Gianni Spetic. It was a missed opportunity, however. Ryan Wingo dropped a pass in the end zone. Manning took a sack from Kenyatta Jackson, and he sailed a third-and-15 pass out of the end zone. Arch Manning two-minute drill: F The Longhorns had a chance cut into a 13-3 lead with 1:41 left in the first half. Manning pushed the ball into Ohio State territory with passes to Wingo and Coleman, and Texas had a fourth-and-1 after a 9-yard pass to Raleek Brown. Texas ran a re