Arch Manning threw for four touchdowns and 301 yards on Saturday, leading No. 5 Texas to a dominant 59-7 victory over Texas State. The sophomore quarterback completed 74% of his passes before exiting the game midway through the third quarter with Texas holding a 42-point lead.
Manning's performance marked a significant outing against a Texas State team making its debut in the newly configured Pac-12 conference. The Longhorns' first score of the season came via a six-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Cam Coleman after an initial 45-yard run by Hollywood Smothers.
Manning connected with Ryan Wingo for an eight-yard touchdown on the second possession, which was one of several scoring drives he orchestrated. He also established a strong connection with Coleman, including a nearly 50-yard pass completion that set up a 20-yard touchdown pass later in the third quarter. Manning concluded his day with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Smothers.
While Manning's performance was largely stellar, he did experience a brief setback in the second quarter. After completing a 45-yard pass to Wingo, his longest of the night, he later threw an interception into triple coverage. This play followed a bobbled pass to Wingo in the end zone.
Manning and the No. 5 Longhorns will face a more significant challenge in their next game when they host No. 1 Ohio State. Texas lost to the Buckeyes in the 2025 season opener, a game where Ohio State's defense managed to contain Manning. The upcoming matchup will be a test for the evolving Texas offense and Manning's performance.