Arch Manning will remain Texas’ starting quarterback against Ole Miss, Steve Sarkisian said October 19, according to Burnt Orange Nation’s coverage of his news conference.
The decision keeps the Longhorns with their second-year starter after consecutive losses, while Sarkisian called for improvement from Manning and the rest of his offense.
Sarkisian’s message combined continuity with a demand for better execution. He said the quarterback needed to improve both during the practice week and in Saturday’s game.
He met with Manning on Sunday to assess his response to the Florida loss. Sarkisian said he welcomed the competitive edge his quarterback showed.
The coach also described development as a shared responsibility. He said coaches must prepare Manning mentally, offer encouragement and give direct feedback about areas needing improvement.
That approach includes examining Sarkisian’s own decisions. He accepted responsibility for a poor rollout call, placing some accountability on the offensive play-caller alongside the quarterback.
Texas has fallen to No. 19 with a 4-2 overall record and a 1-2 mark in the Southeastern Conference, the Associated Press reported.
No. 7 Ole Miss arrives with a 5-1 record, including 3-1 in conference play. Texas has lost consecutive regular-season games for the first time since 2021.
The immediate question surrounding backup KJ Lacey concerns practice work. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported an expected increase in first-team reps, according to Saturday Down South.
Sarkisian said Lacey already works with the starters each week. Asked whether that workload would increase, he left the week’s progression open rather than announcing a change.
His public confirmation of Manning as the starter therefore settles the opening assignment, while the reporting about Lacey describes preparation rather than a confirmed quarterback switch.
Manning has passed for 1,295 yards, with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. AP reported a 64% completion rate and 17 sacks through six games.
Three fourth-quarter turnovers have been particularly damaging in the defeats against Oklahoma and Florida. The latest loss came by a 27-24 score at home.
The broader offense has also struggled: Texas averages 135 rushing yards per game and has scored more than three touchdowns only once this season.
Lacey’s limited college experience is another part of the decision. The sophomore has completed seven of eight passes for 63 yards in two games this season.
His most recent appearance came in Texas’ 30-6 win over UTSA on September 19. Saturday’s visit from Ole Miss presents a considerably different conference test.
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