Arch Manning Inconsistent Game Manager vs. No. 79 Kentucky

…Texas quarterback Arch Manning picked up where he left off in his previous game against Oklahoma, which was a dink and dunk clinic.

Yep ⎯ more conservative game planning against No. 79 Kentucky (CBS Sports).

The game’s opening quarter was forgettable. Texas had a couple of drives and the highlight (I’m not kidding) was a pass interference call on a Manning pass attempt.

WATCH TEXAS VS. KENTUCKY

2nd quarter

There were more short passes from Manning as it felt like Texas’ coaches were keeping this prospect on a short-leash.

He had one nice pass play that endup going for 25-yards. With footsteps around him, Manning didn’t flinch, and fired it to his first read.

Unfortunately, the drive ended with a punt after a designed Manning run went next to nowhere.

That’s when Texas’ special teams and defense got into the act.

The Longhorns had a sweet punt return that set up the offense at Kentucky’s five-yard line. Manning did his best to find pay-dirt, first on the ground, and then through the air, but to no avail. Finally one of their running backs punched it in.

Teamwork.

Texas picked off a Kentucky pass, but soon after Manning was swallowed up by their pass rush. He had another pass attempt into the intermediate route level (11-19 yards), which came in hot, but behind his receiver for an incompletion.

Another punt.

Texas amassed 93 yards of total offense in the first half.

3rd quarter

More conservative play calling ensued.

The offense had a couple more runs and Manning couldn’t convert on a designed 3rd and 2 run.

Kentucky then chewed up a bunch of clock on a drive that netted a field goal. When Texas finally got the ball back at the 4:09 mark, Manning threw what I thought was his best pass of the game on target and on time. He fired it across the middle for around 15 yards, and his receiver did the rest for a total gain of 31.

However, his accuracy didn’t last.

His next intermediate pass attempt was off-target.

⎯ Then came Manning’s ugliest pass of the season on a drive that ended with a field goal.

4th quarter and then…overtime

Kentucky knotted it up at 10-10, and Manning went back to work. There were more running plays, and a couple more missed passes and punts. Eventually, Texas worked their way into position for a field goal that put them up 13-10.

Kentucky responded with a late field goal of their own, which sent the game into overtime. However, after failing to score on their initial possession, Texas was set up at their 35 yard-line to see what they could do with the ball.

After three more running plays and a wayward pass by Manning on a short-out pattern, the Longhorns kicked the winning field goal, and this game came to a merciful end.

Texas 16

Kentucky 13

NFL scouting perspective

How does what Manning did against Kentucky translate to the NFL?

D

Manning’s footwork, mind and right arm were out of sync.

He went 12-of-27 (44.4%) for 132 yards, 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.

Per Pro Football Focus, his time to throw was 2.67 seconds. That’s better than four previous games that were south of 3.00 seconds, but again, most of his passes were shorter one-read throws designed to get the ball out of his hand with a handful of two-read throws. I only charted one “deep pass,” that traveled over 19+ air yards. Texas also rolled him out a handful of times to try to make it easier for him and a target to connect.

It was his second lowest completion percentage of the season (44.0% vs. UTEP).

Additional positives for Manning?

• Kept his eyes downfield
• Good natural arm strength
• Remained competitive from start to finish

Any more negatives for Manning?

• Lower energy level
• Choppy tempo
• Inconsistent footwork
• Inconsistent ball placement
• Threw with average to below average anticipation
• Two PBUs
• Sacked three times
• Little cohesion between him and his receivers
• Wasn’t comfortable in the pocket
• Eight drives ended with a punt

It was hard to watch.

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.