The Texas Longhorns edged out a 27-10 win against UTEP, but the victory didn't come without its share of issues, particularly focusing on quarterback Arch Manning and a spate of injuries that have left the team's depth at running back in question. As reported by FOX San Antonio, Manning ran for two touchdowns and added a passing TD in the fourth quarter, but also experienced a stretch of ten consecutive incomplete passes and had a pass intercepted in the end zone.
Despite the win, concerns over Manning's performance persist, having not quite lived up to the preseason hype thus far. "I've got to play better," Manning told FOX San Antonio, acknowledging his frustration and the need to improve on his accuracy. As mentioned by FOX San Antonio, Texas' head coach Steve Sarkisian also noted that Manning seemed to be pressing, but expressed confidence in his abilities, maintaining, "I know there's a lot of football in him that's high level football."
On the running back front, starters Quintrevion Wisner and C.J. Baxter were both sidelined with injuries, applying pressure on James Simon and Jerrick Gibson, who combined for a total of 131 rushing yards. Notably, Texas Defense held strong, confining the Miners to just 259 total yards and securing the game, as per the same FOX San Antonio coverage.
However, Longhorn Wire pointed out several key issues plaguing the Texas team. Manning's purported slow reaction time and seeming hesitance have been a significant cause for concern. Commenting on Manning's struggles, Sarkisian mentioned during the halftime interview with an SEC reporter, "You've never really been a quarterback until they boo ya," as reported by Longhorn Wire. Running back injuries have also become a prominent worry, with the prospect of both Wisner and Baxter, potential Doak Walker Award candidates, being out for an extended period.
Moreover, the team's mental toughness has come under scrutiny. The offense, which seemed lackluster and at times disorganized against UTEP, is showing signs of being outclassed even by lesser opponents, posing a severe challenge for the mental fortitude of the team. The transition into the SEC competition looms, with coach Sarkisian emphasizing the need to bolster the team's resilience before a challenging October schedule that includes matches at Florida and against Oklahoma in Dallas, as detailed by Longhorn Wire.
