Texas lost starting quarterback Quinn Ewer who suffered a “strained abdomen” in the second quarter of Saturday’s game against UTSA.
But backup Arch Manning and the Longhorns didn’t miss a beat.
Manning threw four touchdown passes and ran for a 67-yard score to lead Texas to a 56-7 blowout victory over UTSA at at Darrel K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Arch is the son of Cooper Manning, the grandson of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, and the nephew of Super Bowl-winning QBs Peyton and Eli Manning.
With Texas (3-0) holding a 14-0 lead, Manning entered the game and led a four-play 72-yard drive, capped by a 19-yard touchdown throw to DeAndre Moore Jr. that gave the Longhorns a commanding 21-0 lead.
UTSA responded with a touchdown on its next drive to cut the lead to 21-7, but Manning wasn’t done.
On the next drive, Manning needed just two plays to go 75 yards and get Texas into the end zone.
On the second play, Manning scampered for a 67-yard touchdown run to give Texas a 28-7 lead, which they held at halftime.
“When the adrenaline kicks in, it helps you run a bit faster,” Manning said.
During a halftime interview with ESPN, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Ewers suffered a strained abdomen but didn’t elaborate.
After the game, Sarkisian noted Ewers’ injury was not caused by contact.
“It remains to be seen the seriousness of that. We don’t think it’s anything structural or broken,” Sarkisian said.
In the second quarter, Ewers — who had just completed a 49-yard pass to tight end Gunnar Helm on a deep throw — suffered the abdominal injury on the next play after he handed the ball off to running back Quintrevion Wisner.
He walked away from the play limping, went down, and called for the trainer and did not return.
After spending approximately 15 minutes in the medical tent, Ewers headed to the locker room midway through the second quarter under his own power.
The junior came back to the Longhorns sidelines in street clothes late in the second quarter and was holding his abdominal area when talking with the trainers.
Ewers, who has garnered attention as a Heisman Trophy contender after leading Texas to a big win at defending national champion Michigan a week earlier, was 14-of-16 passing for 185 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception before the injury.
As for the freshman Manning, he put on an even bigger aerial show in the second half.
He connected with Isaiah Bond on a 51-yard TD on Texas’ first series in the third quarter that made it 35-7.
Manning’s next throw was a 75-yard deep strike TD to Ryan Wingo, and he finished 9 of 12 passing for 223 yards.
Manning left the game early in the fourth quarter after his final touchdown pass to Johntay Cook II and was replaced by freshman Trey Owens who went 2-for-4 for 19 yards.
“It helps when you have great players around you and good coaches,” Manning said.
If Ewers remains out, Owens will be Manning’s backup next Saturday night when Texas hosts Louisiana-Monroe.
Manning called Ewers one of his best friends on the team and noted the two are roommates when the Longhorns stay together the night before games.
“I’ve just learned so much from him,” Manning said. “He’s been the man to me, and I hope he’s ok.”
Sarkisian praised Manning’s poise in the moment.
“It’s hard when you have a backup who doesn’t have a ton of experience. Arch was our third guy last year,” Sarkisian said. “There’s nothing like being in the game. Playing in front of 105,000 people is not the easiest thing to do. I’m really proud of Arch.”
— with AP
