An injury to Quinn Ewers raised the curtain on the Arch Manning show at Texas. The quarterback from one of football’s most famous families threw for four touchdowns and ran 67 yards for another score after taking over for Ewers in the second quarter, leading the No 2 Longhorns to a 56-7 win over UTSA on Saturday night.
Texas (3-0) led 14-0 when Ewers left with what coach Steve Sarkisian called strained abdominal muscles. Manning threw a 19-yard touchdown to DeAndre Moore on his first play, then broke off the long sprint for another touchdown on Texas’ next possession, as several UTSA (1-2) defenders chased him.
“When the adrenaline kicks in, it helps you run a bit faster,” Manning said.
Manning connected with Isaiah Bond for a 51-yard TD on Texas’ first series in the third quarter that made it 35-7. His next throw was a 75-yard deep strike TD to Ryan Wingo. He finished 9 of 12 passing for 223 yards and left the game early in the fourth quarter after his final touchdown pass to Johntay Cook II.
“It helps when you have great players around you and good coaches,” Manning said.
The five-star recruit with the NFL family pedigree is the highest-profile backup in the country. With sharp passing and an unexpected burst of speed, Manning showed that he should indeed live up to the hype.
Manning is the son of Cooper Manning, the grandson of Archie Manning, and the nephew of Super Bowl-winning QBs Peyton and Eli Manning.
And if Ewers is out for an extended period, Texas still have time to develop Manning as the starter before the schedule gets more difficult. Texas host Louisiana-Monroe next week, then open their first SEC schedule at home against Mississippi State on 28 September. The Longhorns then have a week off before their annual rivalry with Oklahoma.
Texas made no immediate announcement of how long Ewers, who entered the game as the favorite for the Heisman trophy, will be out. Sarkisian noted Ewers’ injury was not caused by contact.
“It remains to be seen the seriousness of that. We don’t think it’s anything structural or broken,” Sarkisian said.
Ewers had just completed a 49-yard pass to tight end Gunnar Helm on a deep throw, and then handed off to Quintrevion Wisner before he waved to team medical staff and laid on his back. Ewers eventually walked off the field but pulled his shirt over his face as he went into the medical tent. He was on the sideline in street clothes by the third quarter.
Manning called Ewers one of his best friends on the team and noted the two are roommates when the Longhorns stay together the night before games.
“I’ve just learned so much from him,” Manning said. “He’s been the man to me, and I hope he’s OK.”
Sarkisian praised Manning’s poise in the moment.
“It’s hard when you have a backup who doesn’t have a ton of experience. Arch was our third guy last year,” Sarkisian said. “There’s nothing like being in the game. Playing in front of 105,000 people is not the easiest thing to do. I’m really proud of Arch.”