Following sophomore QB Arch Manning’s lackluster performance in last Saturday’s 16-13 win against the Kentucky Wildcats, the media has been buzzing with articles condemning him. It seems that every time Arch Manning struggles, the question surfaces almost immediately: will head coach Steve Sarkisian pull him the way he once pulled Quinn Ewers? The answer, so far, has been a resounding no.

Sarkisian sees a different quarterback situation

When Sarkisian benched Ewers last year against Georgia, it wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction. It was a response to a quarterback who looked physically and mentally overwhelmed. Ewers had just taken a brutal strip sack on a corner blitz, was 6-for-12 passing for 17 yards and an interception, and the offense looked lost. Manning came in for the final minutes of the first half, allowing Ewers to regroup and later rebound for two second-half touchdowns.

“I felt like against Georgia with Quinn last year, we were a little bit overwhelmed as an offense,” Sarkisian said. “He had gotten hit pretty good, and I didn’t know if he was seeing great. Sometimes, taking a step back when you’re not seeing things really well, that’s a way to go.”

This year, the circumstances are different. Manning’s numbers haven’t been pretty, throwing 12-for-27 for 132 yards and no touchdowns in the overtime win at Kentucky. Nevertheless, Sarkisian insists his quarterback isn’t rattled. “I didn’t feel like there was anything happening Saturday night that Arch wasn’t seeing,” he explained.

Sarkisian has confidence in Manning

Sarkisian’s decision to stick with Manning isn’t about stubbornness, but about confidence. The head coach believes Manning’s composure and communication with quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee have remained sharp, even during rough stretches. Unlike last year’s Georgia game, Sarkisian said Manning was still reading the field well and staying engaged.

It helps that Texas hasn’t been in full meltdown mode. Against Kentucky, the Longhorns defense held steady control for most of the game, denying the Wildcats on nearly every redzone attempt. Manning even showed a few signs that (when the O-line is blocking well) he could recover his rhythm, including a 31-yard strike to Emmett Mosley on a third-quarter scoring drive. Those glimpses of greatness are why Sarkisian continues to trust his young starter.

The reality of the Longhorns’ backup QBs

Another reason for Sark’s patience is the depth chart itself. Last year, Manning was the clear No. 2 behind Ewers. Now, there isn’t another blue-chip quarterback waiting on the sideline. Matthew Caldwell, a veteran who’s bounced around three programs, doesn’t bring the same upside. Pulling Manning now would create more problems than it would solve.

Sarkisian knows that benching quarterbacks can have lasting effects. With Manning, he’s choosing growth over panic. The Longhorns have invested too much in this era (and in this quarterback) to hit reset every time the offense sputters.

So, no, Sarkisian isn’t benching Arch Manning. Not because he can’t. Because he doesn’t think he should. We’ll have to trust his wisdom.

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