Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian announced on Thursday that Arch Manning, a second-year freshman, will start as quarterback for No. 1 Texas in their upcoming game against Louisiana-Monroe. This decision comes as regular starter Quinn Ewers continues to recover from an abdominal muscle strain. Manning made his debut last week against UTSA, replacing Ewers in the second quarter and impressively throwing four touchdown passes and rushing for another in a 56-7 victory.

Arch Manning, the son of Cooper Manning and the grandson of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, comes from a prestigious football lineage that includes Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning. Ewers, who has dealt with shoulder and sternum injuries in the past, will sit out this game as he continues his recovery.

Texas, currently holding the top spot in the rankings for the first time since 2008, will face Louisiana-Monroe before heading into their first SEC schedule against Mississippi State later in the month. This game marks an important opportunity for Manning to demonstrate his skills as he steps into the role of starting quarterback for the Longhorns.