Sarkisian lauds 'edgy' Manning as Texas holds off Ole Miss - ESPN

AUSTIN, Texas — Steve Sarkisian said Thursday that Arch Manning was «edgy» all week after being challenged following Texas' back-to-back losses to Oklahoma and Florida.

On Saturday night, following a 34-27 win over No. 7 Ole Miss that came down to the final play, the Longhorns coach said he liked Manning's newfound mentality.

«One thing I know about Arch Manning, he's a fighter,» Sarkisian said. «I like the edgy, kind of borderline arrogant, full-of-swagger Arch. I just feel like that's when he's at his best.»

Manning was 18-of-30 passing for 212 yards and a touchdown, and he also scored twice on the ground. But he had three turnovers, with one fumble on a blindside hit and two interceptions that he lamented and that Sarkisian chalked up to great plays by Ole Miss' defense.

Sarkisian said he was proud of Manning's resolve, his competitive streak and the way the quarterback used his legs when he needed to, including high-stepping into the end zone on a naked bootleg that looked suspiciously like one by his uncle Peyton Manning to give No. 19 Texas a 31-24 lead with 8:04 remaining in the game.

That play capped off a six-play, 80-yard drive following Manning's second interception, an overthrown ball deep down the right side. Manning said he didn't see the cornerback who peeled off over the top.

After the pickoff, the Longhorns leaned on their running game, with 12 rushing plays and only one pass the rest of the way — a completion to Ryan Wingo three yards behind the line of scrimmage that he turned into a 3-yard gain. Manning threw for 41 yards in the second half after going 13-of-19 for 171 yards in the first half, which ended with a 24-3 Texas lead.

With Texas' Hollywood Smothers out injured, running back Raleek Brown