Arch Manning was inserted into Texas’ starting lineup after an injury knocked Heisman contender Quinn Ewers out of the Longhorns’ clash with UTSA on Saturday evening.
The high-profile sophomore has been asked to come on in relief before. He enjoyed a brief but wondrous display against Colorado State in Texas’ season-opener, racking up 95 yards on 5-of-6 passing and while running for a score and throwing for a score.
Saturday’s contest presented Manning with an entirely different environment, taking over in the first half after Ewers suffered an injury.
MORE: Latest news, updates after Quinn Ewers exits Texas-UTSA game with injury
So, how did he do? The Sporting News is tracking Manning’s numbers from his performance in Texas’ duel from Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
Arch Manning stats vs. UTSA
Halftime score: Texas 28, UTSA 7
- Completions: 9-of-12
- Passing yards: 223
- Passing TDs: 4
- Yards per attempt: 18.6
- Interceptions: 0
- Carries: 3
- Rushing yards: 53
- Rushing TDs: 1
- Yards per carry: 17.7
Arch Manning highlights vs. UTSA
Manning was scintillating in his opening paces for Texas on Saturday night. He was immediately thrust into a high-leverage situation, tasked with leading the Longhorns to the end zone on second down.
Manning responded in kind, firing an arrow to DeAndre Moore Jr. on his first play of the night. Not too shabby.
ARCH MANNING SUBS IN A THROWS A TD ON HIS FIRST PASS 😱
(via @TexasFootball)
pic.twitter.com/pBg1jzJ0Zl— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 15, 2024
If Manning’s first play was eye-catching, his third was special. The highly-touted prospect turned upstream on the second play of the ensuing drive, bursting through the mire on the read option before racing 67 yards to the end zone.
ARCH MANNING HAS BREAKAWAY SPEED🏃🏻♂️🔥
TOUCHDOWN #Texas
🎥: ESPN #HookEm pic.twitter.com/UJSFBJPPAU
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) September 15, 2024
Things weren’t perfect for the standout sophomore as the half wore on; Texas was forced to punt the ball away on each of its final two drives, with Manning absorbing a crunching sack in the process.
Nevertheless, he showed signs of his captivating potential. Based on social media’s reactions, Longhorns fans seemed more than pleased.
Manning didn’t slow down in the second half, beginning with a 75-yard drive featuring four rushing yards from Jerrick Gibson along with two completions from the quarterback—one of which Isaiah Bond took 51 yards for a score.
CAN’T CATCH 007 💨@isaiahbond_ pic.twitter.com/41m1pPLi3R
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 15, 2024
It didn’t take the quarterback long to regain possession after the Longhorn defense caused yet another punt, and it also didn’t take long for him to punch in another touchdown. This time, he only needed one play and a wide open Ryan Wingo for a 75-yard reception and score.
True freshman WR Ryan Wingo finds the end zone for the first time as a Longhorn on a 75-yard TD catch and run from Arch Manning. pic.twitter.com/xdieBVe0J6
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) September 15, 2024
After a Longhorn drive that ended in a fumble—and the Roadrunners unable to put any points on the board—Manning facilitated even more magic. After Gibson ran for 11 yards to end the third quarter, Manning completed a 36-yard pass to Wingo all the way to San Antonio’s 17. Gibson tacked on five more yards before the quarterback threw a 12-yard pass to Johntay Cook II in the corner of the end zone for the Longhorns’ seventh touchdown of the game.
ARCH MANNING DROPS IT IN THE BASKET FOR A TOUCHDOWN 😱
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) September 15, 2024
Manning was benched for third-stringer Trey Owens with the score at 49-7 and just under 12 minutes remaining in the game. After replacing Ewers, Manning ended up playing only two quarters and managed to compile four passing touchdowns for 223 yards and nine completions. Oh, and he also ran for a score, too.
Could this be the beginning of a greater conversation for head coach Steve Sarkisian about the quarterback room, or is it a reflection of the Longhorns’ Week 3 opponent. Only time will tell.
