Star Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning entered the Longhorns’ matchup against UTSA under some unfortunate circumstances and quickly found his way to the end zone — five times — during Texas’ 56-7 victory over UTSA. Manning stepped into the game to spell Quinn Ewers, who left the game with a strained abdomen.
In his first career action of consequence, Manning needed just 12 pass attempts and three carries to reach 223 yards through the air, 53 yards on the ground, four passing scores and a rushing score. Texas crushed AAC title contender UTSA by a count of 42-7 after Manning entered the game in the second quarter.
“I think Arch is always ready to play,” coach Steve Sarkisian said postgame. “We push these guys every day in practice, we make it really competitive.”
No details have been announced on the severity or extent of Ewers’ injury, but fans can expect to see Manning the next few weeks as Texas’ schedule is extremely forgiving before SEC play becomes more difficult in mid-October.
His first two touchdowns came on his first three offensive plays. On his first, Manning crossed the pocket on a play-action pass and hit wide receiver DeAndre Moore across his body for a touchdown. On the next drive, Manning read a zone read, pulled the ball and exploded through the entire UTSA defense for a massive 67-yard touchdown to give Texas a 28-7 lead in the first half.
“I think he got his grandpa’s athletics,” Sarkisian joked, referencing Archie Manning — before slightly dunking on Peyton and Eli. “I don’t know if he got his uncle’s.”
Manning’s touchdown run was the longest by a Texas quarterback since Vince Young, per notes from CBS Sports research.
The Manning heroics only continued in the second half. Manning hit wide receiver Isaiah Bond for a 51-yard score, and added a 75-yarder to Ryan Wingo for the freshman’s first career touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Manning spread the wealth and hit Johntay Cook II for his first career touchdown.
Manning has limited live reps during his time at Texas after serving as third-string quarterback for most of the 2023 season. In the opener against Colorado State, Manning hit 5 of 6 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown and added a rushing score in a 52-0 victory. Ewers and Manning both rated as the No. 1 overall players in their respective high school recruiting classes.
Texas cleared 300 yards early in the second quarter and finished with 614 yards, with 427 coming through the air. The Longhorns have breathers against ULM and Mississippi State over the next two weeks and an off date before playing Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown on Oct. 12.
One of the most popular players in college football, Manning had the seventh-best Heisman odds in some markets by the time Texas’ game ended (+1600).
