Arch Manning, the highly-prominent backup quarterback for Texas, is set to make his career’s inaugural start this Saturday against UL Monroe in a game of football. The opportunity arose due to first-string quarterback Quinn Ewers’ abdominal strain, which he incurred in the recent 56-7 victory against UTSA. Though Ewers is on the mend, coach Steve Sarkisian announced on Thursday that Ewers will not be taking the field and praised Manning’s ability to fill in effectively.
Manning, a redshirt freshman, had already displayed significant potential when he came on the field for Ewers during the last weekend’s game. His performance delighted fans as he scored a touchdown on his very first snap, threw for 223 yards, and scored four touchdowns, one of which included a 67-yard dash – the longest by a Texas quarterback since Vince Young in 2005.
The announcement that Manning will start this week is notable as it involves two factors: Texas’s ranking as the No. 1 team nationwide and Manning’s status as the most recognized backup in the college football scene. His explosive performance in the game against UTSA has already sparked jests that his speed comes from his grandfather, Archie, rather than his uncles, Peyton and Eli Manning.
Coach Sarkisian also confirmed that an earpiece wearing Ewers would be on the sidelines, fully engaged and supportive of Manning during the game. In addition, Sarkisian added that Trey Owens, the team’s third-string quarterback, who saw action in the previous game, would serve as the backup.
While Ewers is unable to play for the team this week, coach Sarkisian stressed that this condition would not affect his goals in any way. These include leading the Longhorns to grab a national championship, winning the Heisman Trophy, and finally becoming a major NFL Draft pick. This marks the third consecutive season where Ewers has suffered an injury, with previous ones being a clavicle injury in 2022 and a sprained AC joint in 2023.
Texas is hopeful that Ewers will return to health, ready to play the following week before its SEC debut against Mississippi State. But as of now, it is unmistakably a golden opportunity for Manning. He had displayed a commendable attitude, preparing each week as though he were to take the field. His performance in the future should be considerably improved through gaining this experience. Sarkisian seems confident, stating, “I know that he’ll be more than ready to operate and play football at a high level for us”.
