OTF Premium Arch Manning must keep thriving against pressure when Texas faces Georgia

[Jeff Howe]

Before he parlayed his red-hot finish while leading Texas to an overtime road win over Mississippi State into a banner performance in last Saturday’s 34-31 triumph over Vanderbilt, Arch Manning proved he could handle pressure.

According to Pro Football Focus, Manning has been pressured 122 times through nine games, tying him with South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers for the second-most pressures faced among FBS quarterbacks. He’s produced when the heat has been on him; the 11th-ranked Longhorns hit their second bye week of the regular season with Manning carrying a PFF season-long grade of 68 when facing, tied for the eighth-best grade in FBS among quarterbacks who’ve been pressured on at least 20 dropbacks.

With only 18 of those pressures resulting in sacks, Manning’s 14.8 pressure-to-sack percentage is tied for 60th among 171 qualifying FBS quarterbacks and sixth out of 17 qualifying quarterbacks in the SEC. To give Manning’s ability to avoid sacks more context, Jackson Arnold has the worst pressure-to-sack percentage in the SEC, with him getting sacked on 32.6 percent of the pressure Auburn has allowed.

While Manning’s legs (specifically, his ability to extend plays) have been one of the elements of the offense that Texas (7-2, 4-1 SEC) has been able to count on throughout the season, he’s becoming a top-notch quarterback at beating pressure with his arm.

According to PFF, no SEC quarterback has completed more pass attempts against pressure than Manning (43). Manning has the second-most passing yards of any FBS quarterback against pressure (676) and his five touchdown passes when facing pressure are tied for the seventh-most in the country (the seven touchdown passes against pressure by Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar lead the SEC, with Manning, Taylen Green of Arkansas and Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed right behind him).

This is a positive trend for the Longhorns that needs to continue against a Georgia defense that’s found it tougher to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks organically this season. Steve Sarkisian and the offensive staff should expect Kirby Smart and Glenn Schumann to throw the kitchen sink at Manning when Texas heads to Athens next Saturday (6:30 p.m., ABC), even though Kyle Flood’s offensive line is coming off of arguably its best outing of 2025.

According to PFF, Manning was pressured on just seven of his 34 dropbacks against the Commodores. Whether Clark Lea and the Vanderbilt defensive staff intended to blitz more coming into the game, or the Commodores shifted gears on the fly, the Longhorns made Vanderbilt pay for blitzing Manning 19 times.

Manning had a 15-for-19 day against the blitz last Saturday, throwing for 248 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers committed or sacks allowed for a PFF grade of 91.6, Manning’s best of the season against the blitz and a perfect NFL passer rating (158.3). On the 50 combined blitzes he's faced in his last two games, Manning is completing 67 percent of his passes (30 of 45) for 508 yards with five touchdowns, no interceptions, no fumbles and four sacks allowed.

In two meetings with Georgia last season, the Bulldogs blitzed Manning and Quinn Ewers on 41.4 percent of their combined dropbacks (46 of 111). Those 46 blitzes led to 20 pressures and six sacks, with Manning and Ewers combining to go 22-for-40 through the air for 256 yards with one touchdown and four turnovers (one interception and three fumbles).

For Texas and Sarkisian to slay the dragon and get over the hump against Smart and the Bulldogs, Manning must continue his positive trend of delivering when opposing defenses bring the heat.

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[Jeff Howe]

I was thrilled with how well Arch handled pressure and shredded Vanderbilt's blitzes last Saturday. It was the most encouraging sign I've seen thus far that the game is slowing down and his eyes are where they need to be.

[Rocky P]

16 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

I was thrilled with how well Arch handled pressure and shredded Vanderbilt's blitzes last Saturday. It was the most encouraging sign I've seen thus far that the game is slowing down and his eyes are where they need to be.

his ability to complete a pass while getting absolutely destroyed is impressive.  We expect the elusiveness with the legs, but that toughness to stand in the pocket and be able to deliver while taking them big boy hits is elite.

[Jarveaux]

22 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

Before he parlayed his red-hot finish while leading Texas to an overtime road win over Mississippi State into a banner performance in last Saturday’s 34-31 triumph over Vanderbilt, Arch Manning proved he could handle pressure.

According to Pro Football Focus, Manning has been pressured 122 times through nine games, tying him with South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers for the second-most pressures faced among FBS quarterbacks. He’s produced when the heat has been on him; the 11th-ranked Longhorns hit their second bye week of the regular season with Manning carrying a PFF season-long grade of 68 when facing, tied for the eighth-best grade in FBS among quarterbacks who’ve been pressured on at least 20 dropbacks.

With only 18 of those pressures resulting in sacks, Manning’s 14.8 pressure-to-sack percentage is tied for 60th among 171 qualifying FBS quarterbacks and sixth out of 17 qualifying quarterbacks in the SEC. To give Manning’s ability to avoid sacks more context, Jackson Arnold has the worst pressure-to-sack percentage in the SEC, with him getting sacked on 32.6 percent of the pressure Auburn has allowed.

While Manning’s legs (specifically, his ability to extend plays) have been one of the elements of the offense that Texas (7-2, 4-1 SEC) has been able to count on throughout the season, he’s becoming a top-notch quarterback at beating pressure with his arm.

According to PFF, no SEC quarterback has completed more pass attempts against pressure than Manning (43). Manning has the second-most passing yards of any FBS quarterback against pressure (676) and his five touchdown passes when facing pressure are tied for the seventh-most in the country (the seven touchdown passes against pressure by Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar lead the SEC, with Manning, Taylen Green of Arkansas and Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed right behind him).

This is a positive trend for the Longhorns that needs to continue against a Georgia defense that’s found it tougher to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks organically this season. Steve Sarkisian and the offensive staff should expect Kirby Smart and Glenn Schumann to throw the kitchen sink at Manning when Texas heads to Athens next Saturday (6:30 p.m., ABC), even though Kyle Flood’s offensive line is coming off of arguably its best outing of 2025.

According to PFF, Manning was pressured on just seven of his 34 dropbacks against the Commodores. Whether Clark Lea and the Vanderbilt defensive staff intended to blitz more coming into the game, or the Commodores shifted gears on the fly, the Longhorns made Vanderbilt pay for blitzing Manning 19 times.

Manning had a 15-for-19 day against the blitz last Saturday, throwing for 248 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers committed or sacks allowed for a PFF grade of 91.6, Manning’s best of the season against the blitz and a perfect NFL passer rating (158.3). On the 50 combined blitzes he's faced in his last two games, Manning is completing 67 percent of his passes (30 of 45) for 508 yards with five touchdowns, no interceptions, no fumbles and four sacks allowed.

In two meetings with Georgia last season, the Bulldogs blitzed Manning and Quinn Ewers on 41.4 percent of their combined dropbacks (46 of 111). Those 46 blitzes led to 20 pressures and six sacks, with Manning and Ewers combining to go 22-for-40 through the air for 256 yards with one touchdown and four turnovers (one interception and three fumbles).

For Texas and Sarkisian to slay the dragon and get over the hump against Smart and the Bulldogs, Manning must continue his positive trend of delivering when opposing defenses bring the heat.

 

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I agree Jeff , when Quinn had a bad game Texas lost. If Arch has a bad game Texas will lose.

[NothinButDaHorns34]

Hate to peel back the scab on an old wound, But imagine quinn playing behind this swiss cheese offensive line. Not sure if he would’ve made it without a season ending injury.

[CJ Vogel]

3 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

Hate to peel back the scab on an old wound, But imagine quinn playing behind this swiss cheese offensive line. Not sure if he would’ve made it without a season ending injury.

Oh man…

[Kevin C]

Great stuff @Jeff Howe!!   Fired up for round 3 against Georgia!   
 

Hook em!   🤘🏼🐂🧡

[Alex Butler]

1 hour ago, CJ Vogel said:

Oh man…

No doubt. The ONLY reason we are where we are is defense and Arch’s athleticism, poise, and toughness. Most QBs at any level could have mustered any success let alone a 7-2 record with the number 11 team in the country. No one including most of us fans expect a win next weekend. I just hope they play loose and focused knowing the pressure is really on UGA to win not us. Keep the pressure on them and hammer away and I’m hopeful good things will happen. 

[Jarveaux]

1 hour ago, CJ Vogel said:

Oh man…

Doesn’t take much to draw out the Quinn haters🤣

[alrightalrightalright]

On the 50 combined blitzes he's faced in his last two games, Manning is completing 67 percent of his passes (30 of 45) for 508 yards with five touchdowns, no interceptions, no fumbles and four sacks allowed.

The growth Arch has shown this season is special

[AusMOJO]

Sark needs to go look at Kiffin's game plan against Georgia and do that with his own twist on it. Hopefully our D can step up and help out. With the return of some guys in the secondary it may help band aid it for now. Akina has to do better there. 

[DanielOnorato]

2 hours ago, Jeff Howe said:

I was thrilled with how well Arch handled pressure and shredded Vanderbilt's blitzes last Saturday. It was the most encouraging sign I've seen thus far that the game is slowing down and his eyes are where they need to be.

Well said. He stepped up in the pocket rather than overextending laterally and delivered the ball with great confidence. He looked absolutely great.

[HookemChappy]

6 minutes ago, AusMOJO said:

Sark needs to go look at Kiffin's game plan against Georgia and do that with his own twist on it. Hopefully our D can step up and help out. With the return of some guys in the secondary it may help band aid it for now. Akina has to do better there. 

What was Kiffins game plan that we can execute 

[Thailand T Sip]

Really good information! Combining Arch's growth actually the whole units growth with an off week, I expect we'll see a much more healthy, confident unit & team celebrating a Longhorn victory on my birthday.

[AusMOJO]

23 minutes ago, HookemChappy said:

What was Kiffins game plan that we can execute 

I've no idea, but he was scoring at will on Georgia lol. 

[Jarveaux]

Very good article Jeff!

[CJ Vogel]

Looks like the Spurs are hosting some Longhorns tonight 

[DanielOnorato]

Manning is a Spurs fan. Absolutely love it.

[diegozanna20]

Wow, thank you Jeff.

I knew Arch has been handling pressure and blitzes well but I didn’t know he was doing it to that extent.

If with this new rotation we can provide more protection going forward then maybe the first 7 games weren’t bad for Arch from learning POV, letting him feel what getting pressured constantly feels like and how you avoid it/work against it.

Hearing these stats I think the OL against georgia has got to be good enough for Arch to get the ball out after 2.5 seconds on most drop backs, The occasional pressures Arch can handle smoothly. If the Arch that is accurate with the football shows up I really like our chances, at least on the offensive side of the ball.

Really good read

Edited 1 hour ago by diegozanna20

[diegozanna20]

3 hours ago, CJ Vogel said:

Looks like the Spurs are hosting some Longhorns tonight 

Going to a spurs game but it looks like Arch is probably staying in Texas for the weekend, he’s locked in for Georgia🤘🤘

[DanielOnorato]

1 hour ago, diegozanna20 said:

Wow, thank you Jeff.

I knew Arch has been handling pressure and blitzes well but I didn’t know he was doing it to that extent.

If with this new rotation we can provide more protection going forward then maybe the first 7 games weren’t bad for Arch from learning POV, letting him feel what getting pressured constantly feels like and how you avoid it/work against it.

Hearing these stats I think the OL against georgia has got to be good enough for Arch to get the ball out after 2.5 seconds on most drop backs, The occasional pressures Arch can handle smoothly. If the Arch that is accurate with the football shows up I really like our chances, at least on the offensive side of the ball.

Really good read

I'm not in the room and I'm hard headed. Why would they ever even think of utilizing Nick Brooks as a guard? I asked it when they did it and in my opinion as much as we want to kiss his ass on upside hes an absolute liability at left guard as a true freshman.

[diegozanna20]

3 minutes ago, DanielOnorato said:

I'm not in the room and I'm hard headed. Why would they ever even think of utilizing Nick Brooks as a guard? I asked it when they did it and in my opinion as much as we want to kiss his ass on upside hes an absolute liability at left guard as a true freshman.

No idea, but I'd wait after Georgia to talk about putting Brooks at LG as a liability or why didn't they immediately put hutson there.
Georgia's got much better atheltes than vanderbilt.
Until they prove me wrong in Athens my take is that we outschemed Vandy.
Hard to outscheme Georgia.

[DanielOnorato]

1 minute ago, diegozanna20 said:

No idea, but I'd wait after Georgia to talk about putting Brooks at LG as a liability or why didn't they immediately put hutson there.
Georgia's got much better atheltes than vanderbilt.
Until they prove me wrong in Athens my take is that we outschemed Vandy.
Hard to outscheme Georgia.

They definitely have great athletes but they are new athletes, developing athletes. Id stick with the last five which is the best I think Texas has to offer. Goosby, Hutson, Robertson, Campbell and Baker. 

Id prefer stroh over Brooks at guard. I think connor Stroh is a better guard than Nick Brooks no doubt about it.

[AusMOJO]

4 minutes ago, diegozanna20 said:

No idea, but I'd wait after Georgia to talk about putting Brooks at LG as a liability or why didn't they immediately put hutson there.
Georgia's got much better atheltes than vanderbilt.
Until they prove me wrong in Athens my take is that we outschemed Vandy.
Hard to outscheme Georgia.

They have better athletes but they have also struggled on their defensive front. I'm sure they'll get up for Texas but if you can protect Arch again, we'll be able to shred their secondary. More 11 personnel will keep their LB's from just loading the box. 

It'll be a tough game for sure, but Hutson is better at G than he is C.