Arch Manning’s Last Minute Interception Results in No.1 Texas Losing to Oklahoma; Fans Question His ‘Clutch Genes’

Arch Manning threw 2 interceptions against Oklahoma Sooners that led to his team's loss.

Arch Manning’s Last Minute Interception Results in No.1 Texas Losing to Oklahoma; Fans Question His ‘Clutch Genes’

Arch Manning (Image via IMAGO)

Arch Manning made two costly mistakes on Saturday, leading to the Texas Longhorns’ defeat in the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Manning threw two interceptions and completed a little over half of his passes in the game.

First, Oklahoma defensive back Peyton Bowen returned a pick-6 after Manning threw a wayward pass. With the game tied in the final moments, the 22-year-old signal caller found Sooners DB Courtland Guillory instead of a Texas receiver.

On second & 10 from inside the Longhorns’ half, Manning threw a pass near the sideline where the Texas dugout squadron stood. His target, Cam Coleman, had 5 catches for 110 yards and one touchdown prior to this play. However, Guillory jumped in front of Coleman and intercepted the pass.

Guillory’s intervention killed off Texas’ momentum. Oklahoma quickly mounted a few plays for 33 yards. Kicker Tate Sandell kicked a 47-yard field goal to secure a 27-24 victory. Per ESPN analytics, it was Oklahoma’s first win over Texas while ranked No. 1 in the nation.

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Arch Manning’s lackluster performance cost Texas an important win

Texas was unbeaten at kickoff. They won four straight games against Texas State, Ohio State, Tennessee, and UTSA. Sooners arrived in Dallas on the back of a couple of defeats to Michigan and Georgia.

Arch Manning's Last Minute Interception Results in No.1 Texas Losing to Oklahoma, Fans Question His Clutch General
Arch Manning (Image via IMAGO)

Despite the Sooners’ poor start to the year, little separated them from Texas. That’s because Arch Manning hasn’t lived up to the hype he had generated in the offseason.

In the first four games, he barely completed 60% of his passes despite throwing for 950+ yards. He threw 7 touchdowns and three interceptions.

After Saturday’s fixture, his TD/Int count jumped to 10 TDs and 5 INTs. For context, in 2025, he had 7 INTs in 13 appearances (including playoffs).

Manning is just a couple of turnovers shy of tying that record. Sure, it’s not a lot, but for a quarterback projected as a top-10 pick, accuracy and completion mean everything.

Also, he has yet to score a touchdown using his feet this season. He had 10 in 2025. For Arch, he needs to improve his accuracy and decision-making. His uncle’s Peyton and Eli Manning were known for coming through in the clutch in the final moments. He certainly lacked it against the Sooners.

The loss wiped out Texas’ dream of an unbeaten season. Despite the result, head coach Steve Sarkisian praised his young quarterback.

I thought there was a level of confidence, consistency, and rhythm he was in when he was throwing the ball. We’ve got to continue to run the ball better so it’s not all on his shoulders.

Sarkisian said via Inside Texas

After five games, Manning has thrown 92 completions for 1122 yards, 10 total touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Next week, Texas faces ranked 16th Florida.

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