Arch Manning's Longhorns Choke Away No. 1 Ranking And Heisman In OU Upset

DALLAS - Heisman Trophy, meet Heimlich Maneuver.

Sorry, but it’s painfully obvious now that Arch Manning ain’t “it.” Likewise, Texas is clearly no longer No. 1.

The Longhorns’ much-hyped and former - yes, former - Heisman candidate quarterback choked down the stretch Saturday in a stunned Cotton Bowl, throwing two costly fourth-quarter interceptions that led to 10 Sooners’ points including the walk-off field goal on the game’s final play of a disastrous 27-24 loss to unranked Oklahoma.

Thanks to Arch’s gaffes and touchdowns surrendered on special teams and offense, Texas - which entered as an 8-point favorite - suffered the third-biggest upset in the 127-year history of the Red River Rivalry. This one is topped only by OU winning as a 20-point underdog in 1996, and Texas as a 17-pointer in 1989.

Oklahoma had been 0-4-1 against a No. 1-ranked Texas team, but on this inexplicable day Manning’s awful performance trumped history.

The game’s start was delayed when stadium officials couldn’t locate two pylons designated to border the south end zone. Then it ended in the blink of eye when OU kicker Tate Sandell drilled a 47-yard field goal for the walk-off winner.

If we’re being honest, Arch has only played one superior quarter all this season: the fourth in the comeback win over Ohio State. Mostly he’s been mediocre. Saturday he was downright miserable.

Early on he hit an offensive lineman in the side of the helmet with an awkward delivery that didn’t need to be side-armed. With the game tied 17-17, the former 5-star recruit and supposed NFL prospect scrambled out of the pocket, panicked, and floated a wobbler of a prayer that OU’s Peyton Bowen easily intercepted and returned 42 yards for a touchdown.

“I think we beat ourselves a lot,” Arch said. “(On the Pick Six) I was trying to extend the play. I missed high, and I can’t do that backed up in our end to give them the lead.”

With the game tied at 24-24 on the Longhorns’ last possession, Manning ridiculously threw into tight coverage and had his pass picked off with 19 seconds remaining. Four plays later the Sooners - who gave up 41 points in an embarrassing loss at Georgia two weeks ago - pulled off perhaps the biggest surprise of the college football season.

Manning and the ’Horns were sloppy and lethargic throughout. On one first-half series they allowed two sacks and then had a punt blocked in the end zone for a touchdown. After taking a 10-point lead into halftime, they came in the third quarter and promptly put together five sputtering possessions that lasted four, three, three, three and two plays.

Normally, quarterbacks who throw three touchdowns in rivalry games aren’t branded as chokers. But after a late performance that mimicked the Heimlich, Arch Manning can once and for all forget about the Heisman.