We're now less than two weeks from the start of the 2026 Texas Longhorns football season. After practice on Tuesday, Arch Manning spoke with the media about several topics, including trash talk, going against Will Muschamp's defense, Cole Hutson's return and his new catchphrase "Butter."
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian described the offense in Saturday's scrimmage as "sloppy." The defense grabbed four turnovers from the offense, including a Kosi Okpala pick six. Sark says Manning started the scrimmage “inefficient” but found his footing late, finding Wingo and Mosley for scores late. Manning told the media on Tuesday he feels the group responded to the poor scrimmage well early this week in practice.
Arch Manning admits he didn’t have a great Saturday in the scrimmage, but feels they responded well early this week pic.twitter.com/x8rqZ2lbYa
— Evan Vieth (@EvanVieth) August 25, 2026One reason for the struggles is new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's scheme. Manning and the offense have to go against one of the best defensive minds in football, day in and day out. Manning says it's been a challenge. "They throw a lot of stuff at us," Manning said. "It's fun going against them."
Arch Manning says the Muschamp defense brings ‘real high intensity’.
“They throw a lot of stuff at us. It’s fun going against them.” pic.twitter.com/wmTHPX18cX
Manning says one of the biggest improvements this summer has been his accuracy. Much of that is down to experience, much is about having better wide receivers and some is a change of mindset.
“I want to get our receivers the ball and away from the defense," Manning said. “I’ve thrown some bad ones and they’ve made me look good.”
Arch Manning says that accuracy is where he most looks for improvement entering his second year as a starter.
“I want to get our receivers the ball and away from the defense.” pic.twitter.com/EHca0bVkGp
“I’ve thrown some bad ones and they’ve made me look good.”
Arch Manning joked when talking about his wide receivers. pic.twitter.com/WZw3q9jB7W
The junior QB says he was surprised, but happy at the return of offensive lineman Cole Hutson. “I was off social media, so I didn't know what was going on really," he said. "And I saw him early morning one day and I was like, ‘What the hell?' I gave him a big hug. I'm glad to have him back.”
Arch Manning asked about his reaction to OL Cole Hutson returning to Texas. pic.twitter.com/SR6b31lUFe
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) August 25, 2026Manning reveals another offensive lineman is his best friend. He says that it is ironically the center, Connor Robertson. “He’s my best friend," Manning said. "What a guy. He’s got great juice. It’s definitely a benefit having such a close friend of yours as your center. My brother was my center in high school. Now another brother of mine is my center. It’s a blessing.”
I asked Arch Manning about his relationship with Connor Robertson, who said Manning is his “best friend.”
“He’s my best friend. What a guy. He’s got great juice. It’s definitely a benefit having such a close friend of yours as your center. My brother was my center in high… pic.twitter.com/9zLsxETlLa
I asked Texas center Connor Robertson about quarterback Arch Manning. He called him his “best friend.”
“I’m fired up for him this year. Glad he’s here.” pic.twitter.com/c33uqPgTIc
Arch's "trash talking" has become a narrative this fall. New Longhorns linebacker Justin Cryer says Manning is "kind of annoying." Manning says he learned it from his family. "Probably from my dad and brother growing up. Playing basketball in the front yard. That's where it started."
When told Cryer said he was annoying, Manning said, "That makes sense. He's always the one right in front of me, so he's who I go after a lot." The New Orleans native adds it's nice that the defense can't touch him in practice. "That helps a lot," he said. “They don’t get to hit me during practice, so I can kind of say whatever I want.”
#Texas QB Arch Manning gives credit to his dad and brother for his trash talk ability.
“They don’t get to touch me, so I can say whatever I want.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/BGxvbA7Rxh
Arch Manning is "kind of annoying" according to LB Justin Cryer 😂@ontexasfootballhttps://t.co/aQ12GfJL7opic.twitter.com/AN8xGS6CvC
— Hank South (@HankSouthOTF) August 25, 2026What about butter? This fall, the Longhorns social media team put a mic on Manning during practice. The biggest revelation was just how often Arch says "butter" after a good throw. Manning says former Longhorns backup quarterback Cole Lourd originated the phrase. "He used to say that," Manning said. "I kept saying that. It got ahead of me. I said it a lot (in the video). More than I thought.
Arch Manning explains the ‘butter’ tagline.
Says former Texas QB Cole Lourd was the original QB to use the phrase pic.twitter.com/027wp9lfqG
We got Arch Manning on the mic 🤘
🎙️ @ArchManningpic.twitter.com/nk8XgHXePs
Even HEB reacted to the frequent use of butter, offering Manning butter tortillas after the catchphrase started to catch on.
We got you @ArchManninghttps://t.co/nQuPIxvZQupic.twitter.com/i7oYfY0pN3
— H-E-B (@HEB) August 14, 2026Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire and @TreyLuerssen for more.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Manning Presser: Texas QB on trash talk, Muschamp and 'butter'
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