Arch Manning left Holly Rowe with a parting shot on Saturday night, and this time it landed cleanly.
After Texas’ win over Ole Miss in a crucial game, Manning met with the ESPN sideline reporter on the field and wrapped the interview with a line aimed at getting her back around the Longhorns more often. “You need to start doing our games more,” Manning said. “We’re 3-0 with you this year.”
Social media quickly picked up on Rowe’s facial expression as she walked away, with fans calling it “cringe.”
The exchange came after an earlier Texas-Rowe moment that drew attention for all the wrong reasons. Last month, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian cut short a postgame interview with Rowe after greeting Ohio State coach Ryan Day and getting delayed before his scheduled on-field interview.
Rather than waiting, he walked away to celebrate with his team, which left Rowe upset. Then Manning added to the awkwardness by laughing about an AI video of Rowe being smacked by the head coach.
Both Sarkisian and Manning later apologized.
Saturday went a different way for everyone involved. Manning and Rowe reconnected after Texas’ latest win, and the quarterback’s comment was backed up by the record: Texas has beaten Ohio State, Tennessee, and Ole Miss in games televised by ABC’s top team.
Manning’s night wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to keep Texas rolling. He completed 18 of 30 passes for 212 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. He also ran for two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score when the game was tied at 24.
In Other News...
Texas Escaped Ole Miss But A Bigger Arch Manning Concern Remains
Texas kept finding trouble early and resilience late, turning another shaky outing into a 34-27 win over Ole Miss after once again coughing up a double-digit lead. For the third straight game, the Longhorns watched an advantage slip away, only to answer in the fourth quarter with a touchdown drive that steadied things just enough to leave Austin with a victory.
Arch Manning did enough to keep Texas in front, throwing for 171 yards and scoring twice on the ground, including the go-ahead run. Even with the win, the broader concern lingers for Texas: the offense still has to prove it can sustain control for four quarters, and Ole Miss nearly forced the issue at the end before an interception in the end zone preserved the result. [Read more 🡒]
Ole Miss Coach Is Still Explaining The Choices Texas Made Hurt
Ole Miss coach Pete Golding spent the aftermath of the Texas game doing what coaches often have to do after a close loss: explaining the calls that looked bold in the moment and costly in hindsight. A late 58-yard field goal attempt was his choice because he believed the game was still within reach, even with the risk attached, and the kick was blocked before Texas answered with a field goal of its own to widen the gap.
Golding also revisited an earlier fourth-down decision late in the second quarter, saying he regretted passing up a short field goal there instead of chasing the conversion. For Texas, those two moments helped shape a win that never really let Ole Miss off the hook, while Golding is left weighing whether the aggressive approach helped his team or handed the Longhorns extra breathing room. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Kept Its CFP Hopes Alive But Exposed A Bigger Problem
Texas kept its College Football Playoff hopes alive with a 34-27 win over Ole Miss, but the game also laid bare how much cleaning up remains. The Longhorns had to fight through turnovers, penalties and injuries to key players Cam Coleman and Trevor Goosby, then lean on a defense that picked off Trinidad Chambliss three times to survive a volatile night.
Raleek Brown gave Texas the kind of ground production it needed with 157 rushing yards, and Arch Manning helped steady things by accounting for both a passing touchdown and a rushing score. Even with the win in hand, the bigger picture lingers for Texas: this was the sort of performance that can keep a postseason path open while also reminding everyone how fragile it still looks. [Read more 🡒]