Texas quarterback Arch Manning is set to be back in front of Holly Rowe, and this time the moment will come with plenty of eyes on it.
Rowe will conduct an exclusive joint interview with Manning and head coach Steve Sarkisian on Saturday, according to the reporting. That meeting comes after the online uproar sparked when Manning was asked at a press conference about viral internet edits and admitted he had watched an AI-generated spoof showing Sarkisian slapping Rowe. Manning laughed and called the fake video “hilarious,” then later apologized after the reaction turned sharply against him.
Manning said his comments were deeply insensitive and made clear there was nothing funny about the clip. Rowe accepted the apology online and said she and Manning had a productive private conversation. She added that they would move forward with total respect and mutual kindness.
Since then, Manning has been much more guarded in public settings. But Texas appears to be expecting a smooth reunion with ESPN’s sideline reporter.
Sport & State reported that if Rowe asks for interviews, Manning is expected to do one, and the same is true for Sarkisian. Texas senior associate athletics director for communications John Bianco said there would be “no issues here” if Rowe approached either of them in Knoxville.
When asked whether Sarkisian and Manning would take part, Bianco answered simply “yes,” and he also said the usual meetings between the broadcast crew and Texas staff are taking place as normal.
The interview is scheduled ahead of No. 1 Texas’ game against No. 13 Tennessee, giving the moment even more attention after a week of noise around the program.
On the field, Manning is coming off a mixed showing in Texas’ 30-6 win over UTSA. He threw two early touchdown passes to Cam Coleman to put the Longhorns in control, but the overall performance was uneven.
Manning finished 16 of 32 passing, his lowest completion percentage of the season, and Texas still cruised despite the offense looking sloppy at times. He’ll need to be sharper when the Longhorns go on the road against Tennessee.
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