For one week, the whispers grew louder. Arch Manning, the most famous name in college football, had stumbled under the brightest lights. His season-opening loss to Ohio State left the nation with more questions than answers.. Was the Texas quarterback ready to carry both the Longhorns and his family’s legacy? Or was the pressure proving too heavy for even a Manning to bear?
On Saturday afternoon in Austin, Manning answered back with authority.
Against San Jose State, Manning looked every bit the Heisman contender he was projected to be in the preseason. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns, slicing through the Spartans’ secondary with the precision and confidence that had been missing a week prior as Texas dominated wire-to-wire in a 38–7 victory that reignited belief in both their quarterback and their season.
A different Arch Manning
The difference between Week 1 and Week 2 was striking. Gone was the tentative quarterback who hesitated under Ohio State’s relentless pass rush. In his place was a player in command of the offense, delivering throws with rhythm and touch, trusting his receivers to make plays.
Manning’s four touchdown passes weren’t just numbers on a stat sheet; they were statements. Deep strikes, red zone efficiency, and quick reads. These are the kinds of throws that define Heisman campaigns. More importantly, they reminded fans why Texas is considered a legitimate College Football Playoff contender in 2025.
The bigger picture
A bounce-back game against San Jose State won’t silence every critic, but it matters. Football is as much about momentum as it is about raw numbers, and Manning has shifted the narrative. After such a performance, Manning has given Texas the foundation it needs heading into a pivotal stretch of the season..
The Heisman campaign lives
In the ever-changing world of the Heisman Trophy race, one game can swing perception. Manning’s performance was more than a stat-padding exercise, it was a reassertion that his candidacy remains very much alive. With big games against perennial powerhouses looming, the opportunities for signature moments await.
Manning doesn’t need perfection; he needs growth. And Saturday was proof that growth is happening.
The road ahead will not be easy, but Arch Manning has shown he has both the talent and the resolve to carry Texas forward.
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