Texas football's Arch Manning laughs off viral pregame tunnel blunder with perfect joke

Arch Manning went viral for falling during the Texas football entrance ahead of the first game of the season. Texas football won their first game of the season in dominant fashion. The Longhorns bested Texas State by a score of 59-7. Arch Manning, the team's Heisman candidate at the quarterback position, was particularly impressive. The nephew of Peyton and Eli had 19 completions for 292 yards and three touchdowns in his 2026 debut. However, things didn't start out perfectly for Manning. The potential number one pick had a huge blunder before the opening kickoff even happened. During Texas' team entrance onto the field, Manning went viral for taking a tumble while surrounded by his teammates and celebratory smoke. 🤘 @TexasFootball QB Arch Manning made light of his pregame tunnel fall that happened on Saturday (via @UTBarstool) pic.twitter.com/dIvjXuPl7y — FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 7, 2026 Article Continues Below Manning spoke on the incident and poked fun at his misfortune. 'It was definitely a little bit of a shock,' Manning started. 'I was definitely thrown off [and] it's hard to see in that smoke. It's a little deceiving. But it was good to get my first hit before the game starts, and get ready to roll.' As was the case before the first game of the season, Manning will be in the spotlight all year long, likely even more so than any other player in the nation. Manning got up when knocked over before the Texas-Texas State game, and if he maintains that attitude all season long, then the quarterback will likely be just fine. The Longhorns don't have such a gimme next week. Texas will take on number one Ohio State in arguably the most anticipated college football game of the season.