As he has been throughout his college football career, Texas quarterback Arch Manning was mixed on Saturday. But Manning and Texas came out on top.
After throwing three interceptions and seeing his team fall behind LSU 21-10, Manning turned it on late, culminating in a 12-play, 58-yard drive that saw Manning throw the game-winning touchdown pass with three seconds remaining as Texas won 22-21.
“That’s what college football is all about,” Manning said after the game.
Manning’s numbers weren’t impressive: 19 of 35 for 174 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions and four sacks, plus 35 yards and a touchdown rushing. But when Texas needed him to move the offense down the field late in the game, he did it. His touchdown pass to Raleek Brown was a perfectly placed ball, and he also ran for two first downs on the winning drive.
For No. 6 Texas, the win means they will almost certainly make the College Football Playoff, as they will be heavy favorites the next two weeks against Arkansas and Texas A&M. For LSU, the loss eliminates first-year coach Lane Kiffin from the playoffs.
Manning, the scion of the first family of quarterbacks, will have the opportunity to do what neither his grandfather Archie nor his uncles Peyton and Eli ever did: win a national championship.
Gn sports
