Arch Manning hype goes into overdrive after Quinn Ewers’ injury as Texas football cruises vs. UTSA
Quinn Ewers, the current Heisman frontrunner, out with ‘strained abdomen’ but Arch Manning accounts for four TDs in blowout
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian told everyone that this was a “leadership week” heading into Saturday’s matchup against 35.5-point underdog UTSA. Roughly 17-plus minutes into a blowout win, it became a pivotal moment for the entire Longhorns’ season.
Starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, was knocked out of the game with what coach Steve Sarkisian initially called a “strained abdomen.” With Ewers out, backup Arch Manning came in and finished off the 56-7 victory at Royal-Memorial Stadium.
And it should be noted, Manning finished it off in spectacular fashion. It's the kind of performance that will break the internet.
Manning generated two touchdowns in a span of three plays against the overmatch Roadrunners (1-2) and accounted for five scores overall, electrifying another sold-out crowd of 100,000-plus. He completed nine of 12 passes for 223 yards, throwing for four touchdowns and racing 67 yards for another electrifying score.
"I think Arch is always ready to play," Sarkisian said on ESPN afterward. "I think he got his grandpa's athleticism. I don't think he got his uncles'."
The second-ranked Longhorns are 3-0, and there’s a ton of season left. Losing the starting quarterback is never good. Next comes an easy test against Louisiana-Monroe, then it’s the SEC opener against Mississippi State. Ewers’ long-term prognosis will be reevaluated on Sunday, but for now, the Horns are comfortable with Manning at the controls.
Ewers went down to the turf with about 13 minutes left in the second quarter. On his first play, Manning threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore, giving the Longhorns a three-score lead. On his next drive, Manning faked a handoff and literally outraced every UTSA defender through the middle of the field to the end zone for a 67-yard score, giving Texas a 28-7 lead.
It was the longest touchdown run by a Texas quarterback since Vince Young scored on his instantly famous 80-yard dash touchdown dash against Oklahoma State in 2005.
Frankly, given how Texas was a huge favorite, it was expected that fans would see Manning.
Just how wild is the Manning hype train? Before the game was over, ESPN sent out a note to bettors saying Manning's Heisman odds had gone from 150-1 to 20-1.
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Meanwhile, Ewers went into the locker room with a towel draped over his head and returned to the sideline in street clothes. The Heisman frontrunner and possible top quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft could be seen telling those around him to not touch his left rib area. Sarkisian told ESPN it was a “strained abdomen” while heading to the locker room at halftime.
Up to that point, it had been an up-and-down night for Ewers. He started the game going 7-for-8 for 77 yards in leading the Horns on an opening touchdown drive.
But on the next possession, he misfired into no-man’s-land and threw an interception straight to UTSA cornerback Owen Pewee. If not for Quintrevion Wisner’s quick tackling, Pewee could have gone the other way for a pick-six. Replays showed that Ewers was favoring his thumb after the throw.
The Texas defense was ready to pick up the pace. Robert Henry got nine yards on first and second down, but Kevorian Barnes was stuffed on third-and-1 from the Texas 29-yard line. UTSA coach Jeff Traylor opted to go for it, and Barryn Sorrell and David Gbenda snuffed out a run to the left.
Ewers came back onto the field and engineered another touchdown drive capped by Johntay Cook II’s 19-yard touchdown catch.
When Ewers returns this season is now unclear.
Manning looked tremendous on his early touchdown throw and long run. Once the game settled down into a normal rhythm, Manning held the ball a little too long on one play and made a bad throw on another. Those were minor nitpicks, though.
Manning simply needs to find Isaiah Bond. The speedy transfer from Alabama took a short dump-off from Manning and raced 51 yards for a score in the third quarter, giving Texas a 35-7 lead. At that point, Bond had been targeted five times and had five catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
And it doesn't hurt when Ryan Wingo gets behind the secondary and runs free. Manning stepped up into the pocket and let it fly, allowing Wingo to haul in a 75-yard touchdown pass.
As if that wasn't enough, Manning threw one ball to the back corner pylon and Cook went and got it for a 12-yard score.
It's the first time a Texas freshman quarterback has accounted for five scores since Colt McCoy tallied up six in 2006.
Based on Ewers' health status, Manning may get another chance to do it again next week against Louisiana-Monroe.
