Manning throws 2 early TD passes to Coleman to help No. 1 Texas beat UTSA 30-6

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Arch Manning threw two early touchdown passes to Cam Coleman on a night he mostly struggled, and No. 1 Texas beat UTSA 30-6 in the Longhorns’ last game before starting their Southeastern Conference schedule.

Texas (3-0) vaulted to No. 1 after its thrilling 24-23 victory over Ohio State last week when Manning led a 21-point rally in the fourth quarter.

But little came very easy Saturday night against the Roadrunners (2-1). Manning was just 16-of-32 passing for 161 yards, took several hard hits, and left the game with about six minutes to play with the game finally under control.

Texas next heads to No. 15 Tennessee to start SEC play.

“I didn’t play well,” Manning said. “The offense has to play better if we’re going to beat Tennessee.”

Coleman’s first touchdown came after a Texas interception by Rasheem Biles on the first play of the game. His second, on a leaping catch in the corner of the end zone, put Texas ahead 17-3 in the second quarter.

Gianni Spetic kicked field goals of 52, 34 and 23 yards and Texas led 23-6 to start the fourth quarter. Freshman Derrick Cooper’s tacked on his first career touchdown run with 8:57 to play.

Manning’s poor game came after a week when he issued a public apology to ESPN reporter Holly Rowe for publicly laughing about a fake AI-generated video that showed coach Steve Sarkisian slapping Rowe.

Back on the field, Manning missed open receivers and wildly overthrew others. He took several hard hits on scrambles and had his helmet knocked off by a violent collision in the second quarter.

Texas also suspended linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen for the game after his arrest on a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge.

Coach Steve Sarkisian said it is understandable that his team would have a “choppy” game after the week of problems off the field.

“Not an easy week, you know, from the highs of last week’s game to some of the stuff we had to deal with this week,” Sarkisian said. “That’s human nature.”

The Texas defense picked up where it left off after its dominant second half against Ohio State. The Longhorns allowed just 143 total yards and kept the Roadrunners out of the end zone.

The struggles on offense will overshadow and dominant defensive effort, Sarkisian said.

“I’m never going to apologize for good defense,” Sarkisian said.

The takeaway

UTSA: The Roadrunners will be happy with a defense that disrupted Manning’s night. But UTSA could not match Texas’ physical defensive front and tried to use a lot of misdirection and quick throws by quarterback Owen McCown.

Texas: The pass protection that kept Manning upright against Ohio State all but disappeared, forcing him on the run time and again. The Longhorns also got sloppy. After just six penalties in the first two games, Texas had eight for 88 yards against UTSA.

Star pass rusher Simmons sat out second half

Texas pre-season All-American edge rusher Colin Simmons sat out the second half and was seen leaving the field after the game in street clothes and wearing a medical boot on his right leg.

Sarkisian said he did not think the injury was serious and that Simmons was taken out as a precuation.

Cutting down the Manning runs

Manning ran nine times for 50 yards. None of them were called runs, he said.

“Arch kind of fell in love with his legs a little bit tonight. His legs are a weapon,” Sarkisian said. “(But) we don’t’ want to make a living with him running the ball as much as he did tonight.”

Up next

UTSA: Hosts Colorado State on Sept. 26.

Texas: At No. 15 Tennessee on Sept. 26

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