Arch Manning will start at quarterback for No. 1 Texas on Saturday as the Longhorns host Mississippi State with top QB Quinn Ewers still on the mend from an abdominal strain, according to 247Sports. It will be the second straight start for Manning, who will be tasked with leading the Longhorns in their first conference game as a SEC member.
Texas listed Ewers as questionable this week, and he was on the practice field, but the Longhorns’ depth chart ahead of Saturday’s game listed the Heisman contender as out. So with Texas favored by 38.5 points, coach Steve Sarkisian opted against pushing the envelope on Ewers’ return. The circumstances of Texas’ schedule only made that choice easier for Sarkisian.
The Longhorns have a bye next week, which will allow Ewers more time to fully heal before the all-important Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma on Oct. 12. Plus, the caliber of this week’s opponent offers Sarkisian another opportunity to get Manning some low-pressure game reps. Mississippi State is 1-3 and ranked No. 111 nationally in total defense while navigating Year 1 of a rebuild under coach Jeff Lebby.
Manning completed 15 of 29 passes for 258 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions while making his first start in the Longhorns’ 51-3 win over UL-Monroe last week. It was the most substantive action of the redshirt freshman’s career so far.
When Ewers exited Texas’ win over UTSA on Sept. 14, Manning entered and quickly flashed the talent which made him the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2023 as he totaled five touchdowns in relief of Ewers. But there were moments against the Warhawks last week when his inexperience was evident.
On the season, Manning is 29-of-47 passing for 576 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has two scores as a runner; his mobility was particularly impressive during the win over UTSA as he rattled off a 67-yard touchdown run shortly after entering the game.
