Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian Hints At Potential Quarterback Changes After Second Consecutive Loss
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian stated that everything is under evaluation following a 27-24 home loss to Florida, leaving open the possibility of benching quarterback Arch Manning.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian indicated that he could potentially bench quarterback Arch Manning following the Longhorns’ second consecutive defeat. When speaking to reporters after Saturday’s 27-24 home loss to Florida, Sarkisian delivered a blunt assessment of the team’s ongoing struggles.
"Everything’s going to be evaluated," Sarkisian told reporters. When specifically asked whether that evaluation could include a quarterback change, the head coach responded, "Everything means everything."
Manning’s disappointing season continued during the matchup as he completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked five times and fumbled with under two minutes remaining, a crucial turnover that allowed Florida to secure the victory. Following the early slate of games, Manning ranks 72nd in expected points added per dropback among 130 qualifying quarterbacks this season, having completed 63.9% of his throws with six total turnovers.
The Texas offense as a whole has labored to move the ball consistently throughout the campaign, ranking 105th in yards per play at 5.4 and 121st in yards per carry at 3.6. The Longhorns managed just 272 total yards against Florida, marking the second time this season the unit failed to reach the 300-yard threshold in a single game.
"I just told the team downstairs what I need them to do is to hang together, stay tight," Sarkisian said regarding his postgame message to the locker room. "Our culture is very strong. They need to hang together and allow me to do my job to get them back to the place that I know they’re capable of playing."
Quarterback Karle Lacey Jr. has made limited appearances in spot duty this season after Manning previously exited blowout victories over UTSA and Texas State. Lacey entered the program as a four-star recruit in the 2025 class and was rated as the 116th-ranked overall player. Texas, now holding a 4-2 record, will look to rebound next Saturday when they face Ole Miss.
