To be Arch Manning is to enter a room occupied by dozens of reporters inside the Texas football facility and find them already gathered around an empty table where they hope you’ll sit.
It’s to express your hope that the interview session won’t last long so you might squeeze in some quality time with your family.
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It’s to look bemused as you’re questioned about the inner meaning of the headphones you wore during pregame warmups. Of course everyone picked up on the minor change to your routine. You’re Arch Manning.
“No one even told me to wear headphones,” Manning said. “I just wanted to wear them today. I don’t know.”
Texas Longhorns receiver Parker Livingston (13) is tackled by UTEP corner Justin Content (18) during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) is hit by UTEP linebacker Micah Davey (48) during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
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The Texas Longhorns take the field ahead of the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) dives for more yards during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
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UTEP spur Cade McConnell (12) interferes with a pass intended for Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Wingo (1) during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs the ball during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
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UTEP quarterback Malachi Nelson (7) throws a pass during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns fans chant during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns receiver Parker Livingston (13) celebrates a touchdown by receiver Ryan Wingo (1) during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
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UTEP quarterback Malachi Nelson (7) hands off the ball to running back Ashten Emory (1) during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Travis Shaw (44) tackles UTEP running back Ashten Emory (1) for a loss during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Travis Shaw (44) celebrates a tackle for a loss during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Wingo (1) misses a catch during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back James Simon (31) runs the ball during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns tight end Jack Endries (88) celebrates a rushing touchdown by quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns fans display a Texas Flag during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs the ball during the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) walks the field ahead of the game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
This is life under the microscope. This is the world Manning inhabited following Saturday night’s 55-0 Texas victory over Sam Houston.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) jumps into the end zone to score a touch down during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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The headphones are new, in case you’re wondering. Manning used them to play a little pop, a little rap, a little Kodak Black.
Manning typically doesn’t listen to music before he suits up. After he danced his way to his best performance of 2025, the question lingered in the air like a drumstick waiting to fall: Did some pregame tunes fix Texas’ broken quarterback?
The redshirt sophomore began the week averaging 6.8 yards per pass attempt — the kind of return that gets your head coach talking about his reasons for not benching you, as Steve Sarkisian did more than once in the last seven days. Against Sam Houston, Manning completed 18 of his 21 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for two more TDs before Sarkisian removed him from a decided game in the middle of the third quarter to let backup Matthew Caldwell get some run.
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“I had everybody and their brother call me and tell me how I should fix Arch Manning,” Sarkisian said. “I kind of thought to myself, well, we’re pretty good at having QBs play good. I’d like to give myself one more shot before I try to pawn it off onto somebody else to figure it out.”
MORE TEXAS FOOTBALL: Arch Manning, Longhorns roll through nonconference finale
Maybe Kodak Black, a rapper and songwriter from Florida, had a part to play in what Manning produced after all, because the solution Sarkisian devised for Manning was as sentimental as it was technical.
“I always feel like he’s at his best when that emotion kind of comes out some,” Sarkisian said. “I think there was a lot built up in there from last week that he needed to get out. I think the guys feed off of that from him. It’s one of his strengths.”
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The passion spilled over as Manning powered into the end zone for his first rushing touchdown, breaking a tackle from Sam Houston’s Antavious Fish as he crossed the goal line. Manning, a former top overall recruit from football’s first family, stood over Fish, a junior college product and Akron transfer, for a second or two in celebration — like a point guard who’d just dunked over a future small business owner posing as a power forward.
MORE: Texas football QB bounces back with big showing vs Sam Houston
A referee gave him an earful that had Manning worried he might draw a taunting penalty. His mother expressed her discontent postgame.
“Probably a little much there,” he said. “… Little immature.”
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Plenty of people monitoring the microscope pointed Manning’s way thought so, too. Manning’s miniature outburst went viral, like just about everything else he does. But Manning needs that emotion, he explained. The fire within him fuels him to play better. It had flickered out as Manning slumbered through the first three games of the season.
Maybe the music woke him up.
“My guy got his swagger back,” Texas safety Michael Taaffe said.
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