Redshirt freshman QB Arch Manning was thrust into the spotlight when Texas Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered an abdominal injury during the team’s Week 3 win over UTSA.
Manning stepped in and delivered a masterful performance, throwing for 223 yards and four touchdowns in place of Ewers. He also showed promise as a dual-threat option, rushing for 53 yards and another touchdown.
Manning made his first career collegiate start in a Week 4 matchup against UL Monroe, leading the Longhorns to a 51-3 victory behind 258 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 15/29 passing.
Ewers was listed as a game-time decision for this past Saturday’s matchup against Mississippi State, but it was Manning who ultimately landed another start. The former No. 1 overall recruit accounted for three total touchdowns in the 13-35 win — two through the air and one on the ground.
With Texas heading into a bye this coming weekend, Ewers is expected to return to the field for a Red River Rivalry matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners on Sep. 12.
Texas Longhorns quarterbacks Arch Manning (16), left, and Quinn Ewers (3) throw passes while warming up ahead of the Longhorns’ spring Orange and White game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium
Texas Longhorns quarterbacks Arch Manning (16), left, and Quinn Ewers (3) throw passes while warming up ahead of the Longhorns’ spring Orange and White game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium
Arch’s father, Cooper Manning, is fine with his son heading back to the bench. The brother of Peyton and Eli is simply happy his son got some meaningful reps before his first season as a full-time starter in 2025.
With Ewers heading to the NFL this offseason, Manning will be Steve Sarkisian’s full-time QB1 starting next year.
Texas will kickoff its 2025 college football season with a matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus.
“Selfishly I kind of look ahead to next year. Texas goes… in their opening game they go to Ohio State, in the opening game,” Cooper Manning said on a recent episode of the Golf’s Subpar podcast. “So selfishly, I’m glad that he had a few snaps and knows like what it is to start and play a little bit. Because going into Columbus for your first start of your life would probably not be the ideal opener, so I’m glad he has a little gray hair there.”
