Arch Manning seems to have mended things with ESPN’s Holly Rowe after an awkward moment following Texas’ significant win over Ohio State.
The Longhorns shocked the college football world with a dramatic victory over the top-ranked Buckeyes, resulting in memorable moments both on and off the field. One such moment was when Texas coach Steve Sarkisian appeared to brush past Rowe during the postgame celebration.
This interaction quickly spread on social media, sparking debates among fans and AI-generated edits of the incident.
During his Monday press conference, Manning was asked about some of these edits. He mentioned that one of his favorites was an AI video showing Sarkisian slapping Rowe.
“I saw the AI Edit of (Sark) slapping Holly Rowe.”
I asked Arch Manning if he’d seen any edits on TikTok or Twitter after the game, and his answer is gold. pic.twitter.com/70FnNCVEHb
— Evan Vieth (@EvanVieth) September 14, 2026
While the comment clearly referred to a fabricated video, Manning’s response drew attention because of Rowe’s role covering college football.
Later, Manning apologized to Rowe, clarifying that he didn’t mean to offend or disrespect her.
#Texas QB Arch Manning posts an apology to Holly Rowe. pic.twitter.com/15tEY5l26M
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) September 15, 2026
The incident highlights the increasing spotlight on Manning, as the starting quarterback’s words often become headlines, especially after a win against the No. 1 team.
Manning’s apology offered perspective and underscored the challenges young athletes face when handling the intense attention that accompanies playing quarterback at Texas.
After one of his biggest wins so far, Manning has learned another lesson: even a joking remark about a viral post can turn into a national story.
