Arch Manning’s best outing for Texas this season wasn’t without drama.
When rushing for one of the five touchdowns he scored Saturday in a dominant 55-0 win over Sam Houston State, the 21-year-old quarterback stood over his opponent in the end zone and appeared to taunt him — a move that didn’t sit well with his mom, Ellen.
“Probably a little much there. My mom was pretty mad about it,” Manning said. “I think it was some built-up frustration for the past few weeks.”
The moment in question occurred late in the first quarter, with Manning’s touchdown giving the Longhorns a 13-0 lead.
As Manning flexed over his opponent after punching it into the end zone, Bearkats linebacker Antavious Fish got up and seemingly chirped back, with officials breaking up the scene. Manning subsequently apologized to the ref.
The nephew of Super Bowl winners Peyton and Eli Manning, Texas’ rising quarterback finished the shutout victory by going 18 of 21 for 309 yards, three touchdowns and two scores on the ground.
“It felt good,” Manning said. “I wish I could have done that the last (three) weeks. But I’m glad we did it tonight … Got the ball in my guys’ hands and let them go to work.”
The hype-train around Manning went full-steam ahead entering the season, his first as the Longhorns’ starter.
Things quickly went sideways for Manning in Texas’ season-opening loss to Ohio State on Aug. 30, when he threw for 170 yards, one touchdown and an interception in the 14-7 defeat.
He drew boos from the home Texas crowd weeks later when the Longhorns eventually topped UTEP, 27-10.
Building from week to week, Manning’s teammates believe the quarterback has “got his swagger back.”
“Everybody knew that it was in there,” safety Michael Taaffe said Saturday, “What he showed tonight is what we expect.”
Texas (3-1) will visit Florida (1-3) on Oct. 4.