In Austin, Texas, a hand injury to Quinn Ewers opened the door for Arch Manning to showcase his talents for the Longhorns. Manning, a standout from the renowned Manning football family, made an immediate impact by throwing four touchdowns and rushing for a 67-yard score after taking over for Ewers in the second quarter. The No. 2 Longhorns secured a commanding 56-7 victory over UTSA on Saturday night.
Texas was ahead 14-0 when Ewers had to exit due to strained abdominal muscles. Manning wasted no time making his mark by tossing a 19-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore on his first play and following it up with a long rushing touchdown on the next possession, leaving UTSA defenders trailing behind him. Manning’s performance was fueled by adrenaline, as he described it, allowing him to showcase not just his passing skills but also unexpected speed.
The highly touted five-star recruit, with a football pedigree that includes NFL royalty in his family, demonstrated that he has the potential to fulfill the high expectations surrounding him. Manning, the son of Cooper Manning and the grandson of Archie Manning, exhibited both precision passing and quickness on the field, indicating he could potentially step into the starting role if Ewers’ injury sidelines him for an extended period.
As Texas prepares to face Louisiana-Monroe next week and eventually dives into their SEC schedule, Manning’s emergence as a reliable backup quarterback is reassuring for the team. Coach Steve Sarkisian lauded Manning’s composure in a high-pressure situation, highlighting his growth and readiness to step up when called upon.
The Longhorns’ defense has stood out as well, conceding just two touchdowns and 19 points across three games this season. With a strong start to the season, Texas is garnering attention in the rankings and could pose a challenge to top-ranked teams as the season progresses. Georgia’s upcoming visit to Austin on October 19 promises to be a crucial matchup that could impact the national rankings.
Looking ahead, UTSA will face Houston Christian, while Texas is set to host Louisiana-Monroe in their next matchups. As the college football season unfolds, all eyes will be on Manning’s development and Ewers’ recovery, shaping the narrative for the Longhorns moving forward.
