Whether with Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning, it’s full speed ahead for Texas.
When the starting Texas quarterback, Quinn Ewers, suffered an abdominal injury during the second quarter of Saturday’s game, the No. 2 Longhorns turned to Arch Manning to step in and lead the team — a twist that contradicts the lighthearted ads suggesting otherwise.
Reports on Sunday indicated that Ewers may not be sidelined for long, possibly just missing this week’s matchup against Louisiana-Monroe.
Unfortunately for Ewers, injuries have become a recurring theme in his career. In 2022, he faced a clavicle injury during Texas’ narrow 20-19 defeat to Alabama, which kept him out of three games. He made a timely return to help Texas secure a dominant 49-0 victory over Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. Last season, he sprained his AC joint during a win against Houston, missing two additional games. Despite these setbacks, Ewers rebounded to guide Texas to the Big 12 Championship and the College Football Playoff.
“Quinn has faced these challenges before, and given the nature of his previous injuries, he seems to be in better spirits this time,” said head coach Steve Sarkisian. “Our priority is to support him in recovering as quickly as possible.”
Following the Louisiana-Monroe game, Texas will host Mississippi State before entering a bye week, providing Ewers with an opportunity to recuperate. However, the schedule intensifies with upcoming games against ranked opponents, including No. 15 Oklahoma on October 12 and No. 1 Georgia on October 19.
In Ewers’ absence, Manning demonstrated his readiness on Saturday, throwing a touchdown on his very first snap — a 19-yard completion to DeAndre Moore Jr., extending Texas’ lead to 21-0. While trainers attended to Ewers, Sarkisian took the opportunity to discuss the play call with Manning, who confidently replied, “That’s perfect. Great.” He then executed the play flawlessly.
“Arch is just a regular guy playing quarterback at the University of Texas,” Sarkisian noted. “His last name may carry weight, but his character as a teammate speaks volumes. He’s focused on performing well for his fellow players.”
Sarkisian emphasized the importance of preparing all backups for challenging scenarios during practice since “we never know when one of those guys has to step up.” This approach allows for a more expansive playbook.
“I don’t feel restricted with Arch in the game,” Sarkisian explained. “There was never a moment when I thought, ‘Let’s play it safe because Arch is out there.’”
Before his injury, Ewers was performing exceptionally well, completing 14 of 16 passes for 185 yards, along with two touchdowns and one interception. His confidence was high, especially after a significant victory against Michigan just a week prior.
“Quinn is in good spirits,” Sarkisian said. “He was playing outstanding football. My hope is that this is a minor setback, and we can have him back soon. We need as many healthy players as possible for the challenges ahead.”
Regardless of Ewers’ recovery timeline, Manning stands to gain valuable experience during this period. Once Ewers transitions to the NFL, Manning will be well-prepared to take over as the starting quarterback, having already logged meaningful game time.
“This is invaluable experience for him,” Sarkisian remarked. “It will serve him well in the future.”
