Arch Manning critics may owe him an apology.
After struggling to live up to the hype for five games, the grandson of New Orleans Saints legend Archie Manning led his unranked Texas Longhorns to a stunning upset of the Oklahoma Sooners in Dallas on Saturday.
The Longhorns had ranked first in the Associated Press preseason poll but lost to No. 3 Ohio State in the opener and again to Florida last week, leaving Texas out of the top 25.
But despite his early season struggles and an 0-2 record against major schools, Manning was solid, if unspectacular in his first taste of the Red River Rivalry.
Buoyed by 94 rushing yards from Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner, Manning tossed for 166 yards and a touchdown on 21-of-27 passing. Best of all, he scattered the ball around to his receivers, nine of whom caught a pass on Saturday. And like his grandfather before him (but not necessarily like uncles Peyton and Eli), Arch showed off his speed as well with a 29-yard scamper.
Manning now has 1,151 passing, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season.
Arch Manning flashes the ‘Hook ’em Horns’ sign after leading Texas to an upset of Oklahoma
Texas quarterback Arch Manning throws as Oklahoma defensive back Eli Bowen defends
Of course, Manning doesn’t deserve all the credit.
Ryan Niblett returned a punt 75 yards for a decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter as Texas retained the Golden Hat trophy.
Best of all, the Longhorns avoided a loss that likely would have ended any realistic chance of getting into the College Football Playoff for the third year in a row.
John Mateer was 20-of-38 passing with three interceptions in his return to the lineup for Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1) only 17 days after surgery on his throwing (right) hand.
Niblett worked up the sideline in front of the Texas bench, and after making a cut inside near midfield bounced off a teammate and continued his sprint to the end zone for a 20-6 lead with 9:59 left.
Manning is seen being swarmed by fans at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas after Saturday’s win
When the Sooners then gained 38 yards on three plays to the Texas 27 on the ensuing drive, Mateer had an incompletion before being sacked on consecutive plays and then had another incompletion on fourth-and-22.
Mason Shipley kicked field goals of 22, 48 and 39 yards for the Longhorns. He had two long misses, the first a 55-yard attempt that ricocheted off the right upright, and was later short on a 56-yard attempt.
Tate Sandell kicked a 42-yard field goal on the game´s opening drive for the Sooners. He made it 6-0 with a 41-yarder in the second quarter, but they didn’t score again.
Oklahoma plays next Saturday at South Carolina, which won 35-9 in Norman last season in their first meeting.
Texas plays at Kentucky for the first time next Saturday. The only two previous meetings were wins by the Longhorns at home.
