Sarkisian backs Manning: Outside expectations were 'out of control'

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian preached patience with highly touted quarterback Arch Manning following Saturday's season-opening 14-7 loss to Ohio State.

The Buckeyes held the Longhorns scoreless until there was 3:28 left in the fourth quarter. The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning ended the day with 17 completions on 30 attempts for 170 yards and one touchdown against one interception.

"For Arch, the expectations were out of control on the outside," Sarkisian said postgame, according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports. "I'd say let's finish the book before we judge him. That's one chapter."

Manning finished the first three quarters with fewer than 100 passing yards. His play improved later in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to prevent the top-ranked Longhorns from losing to the third-ranked Buckeyes in a rematch of last season's playoff semifinal.

"We saw some real flashes and glimpses of the type of player that he's going to become here," Sarkisian said of Manning, according to Inside Texas. "Sure, he's going to watch the tape and say, 'Man, I wish this. I wish that.' That's the life of a competitor, but I think there's a lot to hold onto of what the future is going to look like for Arch Manning here."

The coach added, "I thought Arch's poise and composure was really good in this game. I didn't feel like he got rattled. I think I learned about him a little bit playing that I've got to let him go play. That'll help us, but he's going to be a really good leader."

Texas did a solid job of limiting big plays from Ohio State's explosive offense, but the Longhorns' offensive unit only converted 5 of 14 third-down attempts. They were 1-for-5 in fourth-down situations.

"We've got to score more points at the end of the day. If we can hold a team like that to 14, we've got to find a way to score 15," Sarkisian said.

Texas, seeking its first win of the season, hosts San Jose State next week.