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Collecting all the post-game analysis articles, including those behind paywalls, regarding the SJSU game here:

(Ian Boyd) Five quick thoughts: The Texas Longhorns pick up their first win of 2025

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Texas fans got their first dose of home game football and a decent win over San Jose State. I brought my eldest son for his first taste of some tailgating and DKR. The flyover left quite the impression. The Longhorns probably left a little less of an impression with the 38-7 victory. Once again Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense showed up and mostly kept the Spartans off the board. Steve Sarkisian’s offense was less memorable, leaving points off the board due to turnovers on two drives and going just 2-12 on third downs (2-2 on a pair of fourth down attempts).

Texas didn’t cover but they did largely dominate the game, maintained the standard on defense, and probably took some valuable lessons on offense for upcoming games.

Quick thought no. 1: A gameplan to get right on offense

Heading into the game me and Paul Wadlington both mused Sark might use this game to build a better rhythm for Arch Manning coming off the loss to Ohio State. That largely bore out with the Longhorns scripting a lot of early passes to generate some passing offense and help their hyped up starter get rolling. This was pretty effective on the whole. Manning hit four touchdowns in the first half and finished 19-30 for 295 yards at 9.8 ypa with four touchdowns and a pick plus another 23 yards rushing and another touchdown.

The overall offensive performance was still sloppy at times with penalties, drops, and a couple of poor decisions by Manning. Texas didn’t necessarily make it a point to establish the run game overall, mixing it in periodically with mostly mixed results. A series of handoffs to Jerrick Gibson down the stretch started to pad the numbers more before the young running back fumbled the ball near the San Jose State goal line. That was a frustrating outcome, especially since Gibson was the most decisive runner on the day for Texas.

The emphasis on under center formations with multiple tight ends often seem a touch forced. The run blocking has been solid, not great, but the deeper passing game has tended to come more from cheat motion outside from the spread sets. Texas is executing those motion shots quite well and getting receivers open down the field pretty regularly working free and clean from the release and sometimes uncovered. Other dimensions of the offense are still coming along.

Quick thought no. 2: Arch’s performance

This was a much better Manning than we saw in Columbus. He rifled another crossing pattern low into Ryan Wingo’s legs and had a well thrown dig to Wingo the receiver dropped on an early third down. That connection is something Sark is still working to build between the two players. The interception was a classic gunslinger mistake, Manning threw off his back foot with pressure in his face and the under thrown result was picked. He was also nearly picked on a crosser to Parker Livingstone by a poaching safety he didn’t see coming down on the route.

Manning’s connections to Livingstone and Jack Endries are clearly a comfort zone right now and far and away the strongest component of the offense. Endries’ ability to motion outside for wheel routes, or to pretend to do so only to rejoin the box as a lead blocker, was very effective and will probably be a major component of the offense.

The fumble by Manning I would chalk up to a protection issue (at least from my seats) and the Longhorn wideouts and tight ends left a few yards and points on the field with a few drops. We saw more of improvisational Manning in this game and when he ditched the original design of the play with scrambles for yards or to buy time Texas inflicted some of its most effective plays. His touchdown run was particularly nifty, he’s very quick on his feet for a tall guy.

This offense clearly wants to develop a power run game from bigger sets that can set up play-action down the field. For now it’s at its best in the spread mixing in quarterback scrambles.

Quick thought no. 3: Defending Scudero

San Jose State wanted to spread Texas out and throw the ball like an old school Big 12 team but largely with the aim of finding star slot receiver Danny Scudero in particular. The Longhorns’ gameplan and play on the star slot receiver was exemplary for the whole game.

Freshman nickel Graceson Littleton drew the assignment and stayed connected to Scudero whether he played to the field or boundary. San Jose State tried to find him 1-on-1 on fade routes multiple times but always came up empty. Later they worked to get Scudero on Jelani McDonald which also yielded nothing. In coverage Texas mixed man and zone in Cover 3 and also disguised between Cover 3 and quarters with occasional doses of Tampa 2. Littleton, McDonald, and middle safety Michael Taaffe were constantly shifting and giving false keys to the quarterback pre-snap before rotating into the specific call after the snap.

It was a pretty masterful performance overall with a blend of disguise and confusion as well as straight up execution on the plays where Spartan quarterback Walker Eget did find his man and make a pass attempt.

The Spartans targeted Scudero 16 times and finished with seven catches for 66 yards, no touchdowns, and a fumble when Anthony Hill hit him coming across in zone with a right cross he landed right on the button. I thought that might be it for the slot but he came back in the game later after taking a series off before the half. The pass-rush didn’t effect Eget as much as you’d like and hopefully Colin Simmons wasn’t injured when he went down but it was a very strong day for the Longhorn defense.

Quick thought no. 4: The line of scrimmage

Texas didn’t always dominate the line of scrimmage in this game quite like you’d like to see given the matchup. San Jose State didn’t do a lot on the ground overall but they did catch Texas looking for the pass on a few runs. The rushing touchdown by the Spartans featured the SJSU O-line single-blocking Texas’ defensive tackles and releasing linemen into the linebackers to pave a pretty clear path down main street for six points.

The Longhorn defense made up for it overall with three forced fumbles. The Spartans were able to run and throw underneath coverage throughout the game but managed only 273 yards overall with four turnovers.

Texas’ offensive line struggled to get consistent push. Tre Wisner was out so CJ Baxter was the leading rusher with 64 yards on 13 carries. There were a few very successful plays on GT counter and also a long tackle trap play where Brandon Baker made it across the formation to hit a great kick-out block. Texas’ gap schemes should continue to come along as the season progresses. Baxter runs hard and strong on those concepts but both Christian Clark and Gibson often look a little more sudden and loose if less reliable.

The Longhorns’ ability to convert third downs and red zone trips in the future may hinge on finding a feature back for the run game. The counter schemes probably deserve even more action than we’ve seen to date.

Quick thought no. 5: A day for the back-ups

Texas put a ton of young players on the field in this contest, rotating early and often across the defensive front and eventually in the secondary as well. I saw almost every Longhorn I’ve heard of on the roster take the field at some point in the game.

The offense played multiple tight ends, the younger receivers and running backs saw the field, and eventually the secondary and O-line got to the backups. Matthew Caldwell looked pretty sharp in very limited action as the back-up quarterback.

A number of younger players flashed throughout the game. Emaree Winston looks big on the field whatever his height may be. Some of the clever designs with cheat motion and lead blocking Sark has been employing for Endries are also quite effective with Winston. Jonathan Cunningham played briefly at safety and looked the part covering ground on the back end.

Texas’ linebacker room was pretty terrific in this game. It’s almost a problem how many quality players the Horns have at the second level. Trey Moore looked very comfortable at Mike linebacker filling in at times for Hill. His inside blitzes gave SJSU fits and he had a terrific scrape and tackle in the run game. TyAnthony Smith is getting a lot of run overall and on 3rd downs in particular, he’s very comfortable in space and plays with a lot of force. Bo Barnes even got into the game late and flattened a player on a tackle.

The Longhorns have a very deep team with loads of players you can describe both as “athletes” but also as “football players.” There’s a lot to like in the design of the offense, which has evolved significantly from a year ago. The more in sync all the pieces get, the more we’ll see the sorts of explosive results we expected from the Manning era. These next few weeks should be a big boost in getting it right before things get real in the Swamp and at the Cotton Bowl.

Sam Khan Jr.: Arch Manning calls 5-TD game ‘sloppy’ in Texas romp after falling flat at Ohio State

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Arch Manning had a much better showing Saturday in his fourth career start and second as Texas’ full-time starter, but the quarterback said he still has a lot to work on after the No. 6 Longhorns’ 38-7 blowout of San Jose State.

“It was sloppy,” Manning said of his performance, a week after an underwhelming outing in a 14-7 loss at Ohio State. “Can’t turn the ball over in the red (zone). I kind of made some throws where the defense had a chance to pick but they didn’t. So, (I’ve) got to play better.”

Though Manning did have some hiccups, Saturday was one of the most productive starts of his young career. He surpassed 300 passing yards for the second time and was responsible for five touchdowns, matching the career high he set last season in a win over UTSA.

Manning threw touchdown passes on four consecutive first-half possessions to help blow the game open. He added a 20-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter when he tightroped the left sideline to put the game well out of reach and finished 19-of-30 passing for 295 yards.

“Today he played more of his style,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “There’s some plays here and there that we’re gonna look at and maybe can do that or do this, but that’s natural. I thought he played aggressively.”

Manning looked more comfortable and confident than he did in the Week 1 loss to the Buckeyes. Playing in the friendly confines of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium against a much less formidable opponent in the Spartans certainly played a role.

“Five touchdowns, that’s really hard to do no matter who the opponent is,” Texas safety Michael Taaffe said. “I’m proud of him.”

Mixed into Manning’s well-placed passes over or between defenders were a handful of misfires. Late in the first half, Manning forced a throw to the opposite corner of the field as San Jose State defensive back Isiah Revis closed in and hit his throwing arm. The ball fluttered and was picked off by Spartans defensive back Jalen Apalit-Williams.

“Lesson learned. Sometimes it’s OK to wave the white flag, take the sack or throw it away and kick a field goal,” Sarkisian said. “He’ll learn and grow from that. That’s something that he’s shown us to be able to do is learn from mistakes as we go.”

Manning also fumbled near his own goal line after taking a third-quarter sack, but Texas recovered and punted on the next play.

Manning’s accuracy, which was questioned after his performance at Ohio State, was better, but still lacked in some spots. His first deep throw of the day overshot Ryan Wingo, he later threw a ball to an open Wingo over the middle into the turf and missed Wingo in one-on-one coverage in the end zone.

“I should have had Ryan,” Manning said of that play. “I overthrew it. I really want that one back.”

On Manning’s over-the-middle pass that bounced, ESPN replays showed Manning grimacing as he released the ball. Asked if he was dealing with any pain, Manning said no.

“Nah, no, I’ve got to make that throw,” Manning said. “He was open, ran a good dig route.”

Sarkisian, when asked if Manning was dealing with something, said “I don’t know. News to me.”

Manning’s best chemistry was with Parker Livingstone, who caught four passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns, but Manning spread the ball to seven receivers and attacked all parts of the field. All four of Manning’s touchdown passes were well-placed, particularly the 3-yard slant to Livingstone, who was in tight coverage. Manning found Cal transfer tight end Jack Endries for scoring tosses of 36 and 16 yards. “I thought I made plays when it was there and got my guys involved a little more,” Manning said.

Manning also showed his ability to freelance, scrambling to evade defenders and create throwing lanes, a style he said he’s comfortable with. There were also a pair of drops by Texas pass catchers: Wingo couldn’t haul in a first-quarter pass over the middle that hit him on the hands, and tight end Jordan Washington dropped a would-be first down after a Manning scramble in the third quarter.

“We didn’t catch the ball great for him today,” Sarkisian said.

Manning played into the fourth quarter, but gave way to backup Matthew Caldwell with six minutes to go and the Longhorns holding a 31-point lead. Manning saw the field for 55 snaps.

Although Manning was critical of his play, Sarkisian seemed pleased with the progress the 21-year-old made in the last week and he said he wants to ensure Manning is hard on himself about “the right things” — rather than everything. Manning and the Longhorns have two more nonconference games against UTEP and Sam Houston before entering SEC play Oct. 4 at Florida.

“Today was a byproduct of the week of work,” Sarkisian said. “He did a great job of extending plays and used his arm to extend plays, used his legs, scrambled for a touchdown. That’s the style of player that he is.

“Him playing his game and not trying to play somebody else’s style of game is important for him but also important for the guys around him.”

Asked what he learned about himself from last week to this week, Manning said, “I’ve got to continue to get better.”

Did Manning’s rebound help perception in NFL circles?

Manning was definitely less nervous at the start of this game, showing much calmer footwork than we saw from him early in Columbus. He was still guilty of holding onto the ball too long at times, getting stuck on one read — or stuck in general. He’s also had some ball placement issues over Texas’ first two games, caused by not properly stepping into throws. However, Manning has delivered some terrific throws in 2025 (including last week at Ohio State, believe it or not). San Jose State is hardly a national title contender, but Manning played with great confidence and was able to rip the ball into some tight windows for big plays. He did have a terrible interception into the end zone at the end of the first half, as he was desperately trying to avoid a sack. It was a better day overall for Manning, but he has plenty of work ahead before getting a chance to reestablish his NFL draft stock at Florida. — Nick Baumgardner

(Gerald Goodridge) No. 7 Texas 38, San Jose State 7: Three things we learned

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The No. 7 Texas Longhorns needed to get the offense in gear after failing to launch for most of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the opener. While things still looked shaky early on, Texas was able to cruise in the second half, thanks to a flurry of first-half scoring that papered over some of the biggest issues they faced in the 38-7 victory over the San Jose State Spartans.

Texas has found its receivers

The offense looked like it was going to sputter yet again, until Arch Manning connected with Parker Livingstone on the game’s longest play, an 83-yard touchdown that sparked the offensive onslaught from Texas in the second quarter. The individual effort from Livingstone made the difference on that play, as he adjusted back to the ball on the wheel route before repositioning himself and outrunning the defenders for the score. That was the first of two touchdowns for the pair, connecting on an RPO in the red zone less than 90 seconds of game time later to put Texas up 14-0. Livingtsone finished the game with 128 yards and two touchdowns on five targets, 74 of those coming after the catch.

Not to be outdone, tight end Jack Endries got in on the action with a pair of explosive receiving touchdowns of his own. All 52 of his receiving yards came on his pair of first-half catches, both of which resulted in touchdowns, putting Texas up 28-0 in five minutes of game time across the first and second quarters. If Manning can continue to build rapport and rhythm with his receivers at this level, the Texas offense will find its footing.

The defense is disruptive

We knew the defense would be good again, but one of the Longhorns’ ability to force turnovers was their superpower a year ago. It didn’t show up against Ohio State, but came back in a major way against San Jose State, with four takeaways and even more disruptive plays. Texas turned the Spartans over four times in the first half, with three fumbles and an interception, three coming on consecutive drives. Star linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. did his best Derrick Johnson impression during that run, forcing two fumbles with a peanut punch and jarring the ball loose during the course of the tackle.

Not only did they turn them over, but Texas got into the backfield early and often, keeping SJSU from getting into a complete rhythm with their high-octane spread attack. The Longhorns brought down Spartans’ quarterback Walter Egan twice in the game, with seven hurries and three tackles for loss in the contest, with defensive tackle Marad Watson leading the charge. Emblematic of their drive to disrupt is the tipped pass by Liona Lefau, knocking a fourth-down pass off-target to end the Spartans’ last scoring threat against the first unit.

Texas still has a lot to clean up

One of the biggest storylines entering the season was Texas’ red zone and third-down efficiency, which once again proved costly against Ohio State. While it didn’t cost them the game against San Jose State, the same issues reared their ugly heads once again. Texas was 2-of-12 on third downs, with an average distance to go of 9.7, with the lone conversion coming on a 3rd and 3 that turned into the 83-yard touchdown to Parker Livingstone.

Perhaps even more frustrating is the Longhorns’ continued penchant for killer penalties, finishing the game with 12 penalties for 115 yards. It is even more frustrating when you look at the hidden yards in those penalties, with the Longhorns erasing 110 yards and a touchdown via offensive penalties, while giving San Jose State two free first downs defensively. Thinking back to the first score of the Ohio State game, capping a drive that was extended by a pair of defensive penalties, it’s clear to see that this will cost Texas a game again later in the season.

 

Edited by satyanash
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