Texas quarterback Arch Manning and edge rusher Colin Simmons both earned Southeastern Conference weekly accolades after their performances in the Longhorns’ 34-31 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Manning was named the SEC offensive player of the week and Simmons got co-defensive lineman of the week for the second time this season. Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke was named the defensive player of the week and the Sooners’ Tate Sandell was the special teams player of the week.
In Saturday’s win, Manning completed 25 out of 33 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns.
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“I thought Arch played a fantastic game,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said on Monday. “Going back and watching the tape now numerous times, he was very efficient. I thought he threw the ball extremely accurately.”
Manning appears to be hitting his stride, throwing for a combined 674 yards and six touchdowns over the last two games with just one interception. The offensive line provided him with good protection, not allowing any sacks and only one tackle for loss against Vanderbilt.
On the other side of the ball, Simmons put pressure on Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. He recorded five tackles, including two pressures, 1.5 tackles for loss and a strip sack.
In the first offensive drive by the Commodores, Simmons exploded off the line and got to Pavia quickly. He punched the ball out of his hands, forcing a fumble, and then landed on the ball.
In the past five conference games, Simmons has recorded 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass deflection, and 24 total tackles.
Both players now get a bye week to rest and recover before heading to Athens, Georgia, to face the Bulldogs.