Arch Manning had no trouble finding the funny side of the viral Steve Sarkisian-Holly Rowe moment.
During a press conference clip that’s been making the rounds, the Texas quarterback said he saw an AI-generated edit of Sarkisian slapping Rowe and broke into laughter while talking about it. “I saw the AI Edit of (Sark) slapping Holly Rowe,” Manning said as he laughed.
The awkward exchange that set off the online reaction came right after Texas’ 24-23 comeback win over No. 1 Ohio State.
In the middle of the on-field celebration, Rowe caught Sarkisian for a quick postgame interview, but he barely got through her first sentence before cutting her off. “That’s called Texas fight!
Hook ’em,” he shouted into the camera before running off to celebrate with his players, leaving Rowe visibly frustrated.
Manning’s reaction came with Texas riding high after one of the biggest wins in program history. No. 4 Texas erased a 23-3 deficit and stunned the Buckeyes on Saturday, pulling off the largest fourth-quarter rally ever against a top-ranked opponent.
The Longhorns’ quarterback had a rough start against Ohio State’s defense, especially through the first three quarters. But Manning turned it around in a major way, guiding three straight touchdown drives in the final period. He finished 23 of 37 for 196 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The spark for the comeback came on a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo, which started the 21-point unanswered run. After the game, Manning made it clear he never lost faith in the finish. “I always knew we were going to be in it in the end,” Manning stated following the victory.
That win also pushed the undefeated Longhorns to No. 1 in the updated AP poll.
In Other News...
Steve Sarkisian's Awkward Ohio State Moment Took A Strange Turn Online
Steve Sarkisians postgame exchange with Holly Rowe after the Ohio State game was already unusual enough to draw plenty of attention, with Texas fans and onlookers replaying the moment as soon as it hit social media. The Longhorns coach abruptly cut off the ESPN interview and sprinted away, turning a routine TV hit into one of the first viral oddities of the season for a program that tends to live under a microscope.
The story took an even stranger turn when Arch Manning said he had seen AI-generated videos making it look as if Sarkisian slapped Rowe, a fabrication that quickly circulated online after his comments. It was a reminder of how fast a bizarre real-life clip can get distorted once the internet grabs hold, and how little room there is for nuance once a strange moment from a marquee Texas game becomes meme material. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Gets One Last Real Test Before Big 12 Play
TCUs final tune-up before Big 12 play brings a familiar face to Fort Worth, with Arkansas State visiting for what should be a useful barometer for both teams. The Red Wolves have shown a balanced offense so far, leaning on multiple running backs and receivers, while mixing in enough defensive looks to keep an opponent honest. For a Horned Frogs team trying to sharpen itself before the conference grind begins, its the kind of late-September game that can reveal more than the matchup on paper suggests.
The most interesting wrinkle is under center, where Arkansas State is being led by Trey Owens, a transfer quarterback with Texas ties and a chance to settle in after a bumpy start to his career path. The Red Wolves also bring a strong secondary and a defense that changes structure, but their run defense has been a vulnerability through the first two games, which gives TCU a clear area to press. Before Big 12 play arrives, this one offers the Horned Frogs a final look at a team with enough moving parts to make the afternoon matter. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Win Over Ohio State Took An Awkward Turn After The Game
Texas 24-23 win over top-ranked Ohio State gave the Longhorns the kind of early-season statement victory they can build around, especially after a strong fourth quarter flipped the game in their favor. But the spotlight around the upset shifted almost immediately once the final whistle faded, when a sideline moment involving head coach Steve Sarkisian and reporter Holly Rowe started drawing attention far beyond the box score.
The awkwardness lingered into the postgame discussion, with the incident becoming a talking point around the program instead of the breakthrough win itself. Arch Manning later stepped in and apologized to Rowe for comments he made about what happened, and the exchange helped quiet at least part of the fallout, even as the episode left an unusual aftertaste on a night Texas would rather have remembered only for beating the nations No. 1 team. [Read more 🡒]