Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s pre-match interview with ESPN reporter Holly Rowe passed without incident before the team’s game against Tennessee. The calm exchange contrasted with a viral post-match moment after Texas’s previous victory, when Sarkisian ran away as Rowe attempted to interview him, prompting widespread online attention.

Rowe asked Sarkisian about preparing Arch Manning to perform at Neyland Stadium, and he emphasised that Manning should enjoy the occasion while playing as part of the wider team. Sarkisian later said he has a strong relationship with Rowe and explained that delays had contributed to the earlier incident; Manning also apologised after joking about an AI-generated video depicting Sarkisian attacking Rowe. Texas led Tennessee 7–3 in the first quarter at the time of publication.