Arch Manning stepped in for the injured Quinn Ewers and showcased his talent, passing for four touchdowns and rushing for another in a commanding 56-7 victory for No. 2 Texas over UTSA on Saturday night.
The Longhorns (3-0) were already ahead 14-0 when Ewers exited the game due to what head coach Steve Sarkisian described as a strained abdomen. Manning wasted no time making an impact; on his very first play, he connected with DeAndre Moore for a 19-yard touchdown, followed by an impressive 67-yard sprint to the end zone on Texas’ next possession, leaving several UTSA (1-2) defenders in his wake.
In the third quarter, Manning continued to shine, linking up with Isaiah Bond for a 51-yard touchdown that pushed the score to 35-7. He then delivered a stunning 75-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo, further solidifying his position as a key player in the game.
Manning concluded his night with an impressive 9-of-12 passing for 223 yards, exiting the game early in the fourth quarter after throwing his final touchdown pass to Johntay Cook II.
As a five-star recruit and part of an NFL lineage, Manning stands out as one of the most talked-about backup quarterbacks in college football. His combination of precise passing and surprising speed proved he can meet the high expectations placed upon him.
Looking ahead, Texas will host Louisiana-Monroe next week before kicking off its first SEC schedule at home against Mississippi State on September 28. The Longhorns will then enjoy a bye week before their much-anticipated rivalry game with Oklahoma.
There has been no immediate update regarding the duration of Ewers’ absence. He initially called for medical assistance before lying on the field, eventually walking off but shielding his face with his shirt as he entered the medical tent. By the third quarter, he was seen on the sidelines in street clothes.
Ewers has faced multiple injuries over the past two seasons, gaining recognition as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate following a significant road win against the defending national champion, Michigan. Prior to his injury against UTSA, he completed 14 of 16 passes for 165 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.
