Arch Manning Took a Bizarre Hit in the Tunnel and His Reaction Is Pure Big-Game Mentality

Arch Manning nearly bought it *before* the game even started, taking a bizarre hit in the tunnel as he ran onto the field for Texas’ season opener. It was a wild moment that definitely gave Longhorns fans a jolt of fear right out of the gate.

The “Pre-Game Hit” That Shook Everyone

Before the Longhorns’ blowout win over Texas State on Saturday, Manning was jogging through the pregame smoke, feeling the energy, when suddenly he hit the deck. Turns out, a fan reached out and grabbed his throwing arm as he ran past, sending the QB tumbling into the fog. Seriously, who does that? It’s crazy to think about a starting quarterback getting taken down by a fan *before* kickoff. Thankfully for Texas, Manning popped right up and kept going without a scratch. He didn’t even miss a beat, which is a huge relief for anyone watching.

Manning’s Mindset After the Tunnel Scare

Manning addressed the incident on Monday, and his take on it is just classic quarterback stuff. “It was definitely a little bit of a shock,” he admitted, “I was definitely thrown off. It’s hard to see in that smoke. It’s a little deceiving.” But then he dropped the line that tells you everything you need to know about his focus: “It was good to get my first hit before the game started and get ready to roll.” And roll he did. Manning absolutely torched the Bobcats for 305 yards, four touchdowns, and only one interception in their dominant 59-7 victory. That “first hit” clearly didn’t slow him down one bit.

The Real Test Is Coming

Now, the Longhorns face a much bigger test. No. 1 Ohio State is visiting Austin this Saturday, and Manning knows what’s coming. He struggled against the Buckeyes last year in Columbus, admitting, “It was rough film to watch. I don’t like watching it that much.” This week, they’ll want to make sure Manning stays upright before the game. He’s going to be under enough pressure once the action actually starts.

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Originally reported by CBS Sports.