Texas football’s Steve Sarkisian issues challenge to Arch Manning while deflecting report on backup

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With Texas football quarterback Arch Manning’s lackluster performance against the Florida Gators in the 27-24 loss on Saturday, the conversation around the star’s benching has been swirling. While it remains to be seen if the Texas football team benches Manning, head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke about the challenge he has for the quarterback.

Though Sarkisian admits that Manning “can play better,” he still says that he’s the “starter,” though reports have been flying of backup quarterback KJ Lacey Jr. getting more first-team reps.

“There’s no doubt about it, Arch can play better for us. He’s our starter. But I need to see a better version of Arch Manning,” Sarkisian said, via Tyler Horka. “The player is in there. It’s our job to get that out of him.”

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When it comes to Lacey, Sarkisian would say that “he takes first team reps every week.”

The speculation around Manning’s benching comes after back-to-back performances of the Longhorns losing to unranked teams, starting when the team was ranked No. 1 and lost to the Oklahoma Sooners on Oct. 10. Throwing for 260 yards and three touchdowns, Manning also had two game-altering interceptions.

Last Saturday, Manning would record 173 yards and a touchdown pass in the loss to the Gators, leading to some believing that a change could be near.

More on the reports on Texas football potentially benching Arch Manning

So far this season with the Texas football team, Manning has thrown for 1,295 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, as a report on Monday by college football insider Pete Nakos at On3 Sports said that Lacey would get an “up-tick” in first-team reps. Meaning that while Manning is still expected to be the starter for Saturday’s tilt against the No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels, Sarkisian could easily replace him with Lacey.

“Sources: Texas is expected to give an up-tick in first-team quarterback reps to redshirt freshman KJ Lacey Jr. this week in practice,” Nakos wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Arch Manning still projects as the Texas starter.”

At any rate, it remains to be seen if Manning continues to struggle, as Saturday will be key for his junior season.

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