Arch Manning Gets Back to Basics vs. No. 117 Sam Houston

Here we go again ⎯

Texas quarterback Arch Manning’s first throw of the game was broken up against No. 117 Sam Houston.

He was dropping into the pocket and looking around before someone got a hand on the short screen attempt to his right.

Incomplete.

This is the last thing Texas’ golden boy needed after coming off the most dismal performance of his college career the week prior in a 27-10 win over UTEP.

Manning’s regression in that game was noticeable.

WATCH TEXAS VS. SAM HOUSTON

Then, on 3rd and 9, on Manning’s second passing attempt, he was standing tall in the pocket, keeping his eyes downfield with footsteps all around him. Manning fired a pass toward the dirt in the middle of the field to a wide-open receiver.

The receiver had to dive, but he caught it!

Complete. 1st down!

Whew

It wasn’t pretty, but it sure beat another three-and-out in the pressure cooker Manning had been living in since the UTEP game.

From there ⎯

Manning was locking in more with his receivers, and his ball placement wasn’t perfect, but he completed a couple more passes before the drive ended with a Texas running back taking it in for six.

Then it happened

I feel we’ll look back at this moment as the turning point of the season for Manning and the Longhorns.

“The moment.”

I’m coining it now.

After Manning scampered in for a touchdown from five yards out, he was standing over a helpless Sam Houston defender on the ground in the endzone, who had attempted to tackle him at the goal line.

Manning stood right over him ⎯

And then got right into his facemask.

The ref had to step into Manning to settle him down.

It was an iconic moment ⎯

It was his response to that defender, but I believe it was also a response to his critics.

The celebration then broke out along the Longhorns’ sideline.

Manning was getting fired up again.

He’d had it.

Fireworks

That’s what Texas needed.

Manning’s emotional outburst sparked an explosion on the scoreboard that began with 50 seconds remaining on the clock in the first quarter and lasted until the 7:56 mark in the third quarter. That’s when Manning’s backup took over with Texas up 45-0 (the final score was Texas 55-0).

This barrage of him playing well was a little different than the three previous games when he’d played well in short spurts. This time it lasted for a quarter and a half.

When he’s hot, he’s hot.

Touchdown passes:

• 32 yards
• 53 yards
• 13 yards

He added another touchdown on the ground and had an additional drive that led to a field goal.

• 18 completions
• 21 attempts
• 85.7% completion percentage
• 309 yards
• 3 touchdowns

Not bad, lol

NFL scouting perspective

How does what Manning did against Sam Houston translate to the NFL?

C+

My hunch last week was confirmed. He was under too much pressure to get pro-ready in his first three games.

What do I mean by that?

He was trying too hard to get to his second and third reads consistently on passing plays. This screwed with his head and slowed down his entire process.

He’d been overthinking it.

And it was confirmed by Pro Football Focus. Manning’s time to throw in the first three games:

• Ohio State 3.28 seconds
• San Jose State 3.00 seconds
• UTEP 3.52 seconds (slowest of his college career)

Manning’s time to throw vs. Sam Houston

• 2.55 seconds (3rd fastest time of his college career)

Manning was getting the ball out of his hand quicker.

Why?

He got back to his comfort zone of making a lot of one-read throws and locking in with receivers before he threw. Texas also got him moving around more before releasing.

Manning was still throwing with too much arm, attempting to aim and steer the ball a little too much, as opposed to relying on a natural, equally distributed upper and lower body follow-through. But hey, it worked.

Why was such a good performance docked from an NFL scouting perspective?

• Level of competition
• Elementary reads
• Inconsistent mechanics and placement

But it was still good seeing him having fun and playing with more confidence again.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.