Texas Coach Sarkisian Takes Responsibility for Offensive Struggles in Narrow Kentucky Victory

Texas escaped Kentucky 16-13 in overtime after a goal-line defensive stop and Mason Shipley’s 45-yard field goal, but the Longhorns’ offense was lackluster, finishing with just 179 total yards (47 net rushing, 132 passing). Head coach Steve Sarkisian publicly accepted responsibility for the offense — saying “that’s on nobody but me” — and insisted he will keep play-calling duties while working to correct mistakes. Sarkisian pointed to specific breakdowns, including a risky first overtime play that produced no gain and a holding penalty on Brandon Baker, as well as late-game clock-management and in-game communication failures. He defended sophomore quarterback Arch Manning, blaming protection issues and occasional overthinking rather than benching him, while urging the staff to better put players in position to succeed. Frustrated fans and analysts zeroed in on puzzling, low-percentage play calls, penalties and an inconsistent offensive line that repeatedly put pressure on Manning and disrupted tempo.