Steve Sarkisian, Arch Manning take accountability for recent offensive struggles

Steve Sarkisian said Monday the Longhorns need better play from quarterback Arch Manning. But Texas football's head coach noted he isn't absolved from blame after back-to-back losses to unranked teams. 

Sarkisian addressed two elements of his coaching performance two days after Texas' 27-24 loss to Florida. He first cited one specific play call, in which he criticized a "crappy call," on a rollout for Manning (it's unclear which of Manning's 20 pass attempts against Florida is the play in question). Sarkisian then added a more general critique of his work as Texas' play-caller.

"I think I've got to continue to remain creative but at the same time not lose sight of who we are," Sarkisian said. "I can't not be creative because I'm trying to make it easy." 

Sarkisian took accountability for part of Texas' recent offensive woes at his Monday news conference. His quarterback quickly followed his lead. Manning said he hasn't "put good film on tape," this season. The statistics back Manning's eyes. He's tallied four turnovers across Texas' three SEC games in which Texas has yet to score more than 24 points. Sarkisian hasn't shied away from criticizing his quarterback the past two weeks. Manning himself is perhaps his harshest critic, though also perhaps his greatest hype man.

"I fully expect myself to play better," Manning said. "I'm going to do better for my teammates, I'm going to better for myself, I'm going to do better for my coaches. ... This team is built for adversity, I'm built for adversity, and we're going to get it done."

Arch Manning "This team is built for adversity, I'm built for adversity and we're gonna respond." @SpectrumNews1TX https://t.co/VupK7GkAuj

- Travis Recek (@TravisRecek) October 19, 2026

Texas' offense once hummed with a rhythm in the Sarkisian era. Texas ranked No. 15 nationwide in points per game in 2023 and remained a top-20 scoring unit in 2024. Sarkisian dialed up trick plays with aplomb. He appeared to have an offensive mind meld with former quarterback Quinn Ewers, Texas' former superstar-prospect-turned-starter. That mind meld has yet to emerge with Manning, the head of an offense that now ranks No. 41 nationally in scoring. 

Neither Sarkisian nor Manning lived up to expectations in recent weeks. Both believe recent reflection will turn the tide for an offense still waiting to reach its purported potential. 

"It's hard to not have a chip on my shoulder right now, I'll tell you that," Manning said. "And I think I play better with it on."

This article originally published at Steve Sarkisian, Arch Manning take accountability for recent offensive struggles.