Arch Manning to make second start against Mississippi State as Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers recovers from injury
Arch Manning will start at quarterback for No. 1 Texas on Saturday as the Longhorns host Mississippi State with top quarterback Quinn Ewers still recovering from an abdominal strain, according to 247Sports. This will be the second straight start for Manning, who will be tasked with leading the Longhorns in their first conference game as a member of the SEC.
Texas listed Ewers as questionable this week, and he was on the practice field, but the Longhorns’ depth chart before Saturday’s game listed the Heisman contender as out. So, with Texas favored by 38.5 points, coach Steve Sarkisian opted not to push the envelope when Ewers returned. The circumstances of Texas’ schedule only made this choice easier for Sarkisian.
The Longhorns will have a bye next week, giving 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 gives Sarkisian another opportunity to put Manning down. -representatives of games under pressure. Mississippi State is 1-3 and ranked 111th nationally in total defense while navigating the first year 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 significant play of the redshirt freshman’s career thus far.
When Ewers left Texas’ win over UTSA on September 14, Manning came in and quickly displayed the talent that made him the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2023 as he totaled five touchdowns in reports to Ewers. But there were times against the Warhawks last week where his inexperience was evident.
During the season, Manning completed 29 of 47 passes for 576 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has two scores as a runner; his mobility was particularly impressive in the win over UTSA as he scored a 67-yard touchdown shortly after entering the game.
