The Texas Longhorns improved to 3-0 Saturday night after coming away with a 56-7 win over the UTSA Roadrunners.
It was an expectedly procedural affair for the Longhorns, who jumped to the top spot in Sunday’s AP Poll following the win, their first time topping the poll since the 2008 season which saw Texas defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl, capping off a 12-1 season.
Expectations for the 2024 Longhorns are very high, as they’re seemingly on the fast track to the College Football Playoff in their inaugural SEC season.
Those plans nearly hit a snag in Saturday’s win, however, when junior quarterback and early season Heisman frontrunner Quinn Ewers suffered a non-contact injury after a 50-yard gain to tight end Gunnar Helm early in the second quarter. Ewers left the game and was later diagnosed with an oblique strain.
For many teams, this would be a significant issue. For Texas, they were able to turn to redshirt freshman phenom Arch Manning, son of Cooper and nephew of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton and future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Eli.
Manning had seen the field twice before for the Longhorns, throwing five passes in the team’s 57-7 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in 2023. He also relieved Ewers in Texas’ 52-0 season-opening victory against the Colorado State Rams, where he went 5-for-6 and notched his first career passing and rushing touchdowns.
However, Saturday’s win over UTSA marked Manning’s first extended collegiate action, and he certainly didn’t disappoint. The standout quarterback went 9-for-12 for 223 passing yards and four touchdown passes. He also added a rushing touchdown on a 67-yard scamper, the longest for a Texas quarterback since Vince Young.
CAN’T TOUCH HIM 😮💨@ArchManning pic.twitter.com/65nR57qIR5
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 15, 2024
It will likely become clearer throughout the week how long Ewers will be out, but for the time being, Texas is in good hands with Manning.
The quarterback’s strong play sent social media into a frenzy on Saturday
The Manning family watching Arch Manning rush for a 67 yard TD for Texas pic.twitter.com/I1rLFbioIo
— Conald Peterson (@WhyGarth) September 15, 2024
Quinn Ewers is HIM.
Arch Manning is HIM.
Texas will be a PROBLEM for years to come.— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 15, 2024
Paul Finebaum says Arch Manning will be the first member of the Manning family to win the Heisman Trophy.
“Book it. Arch Manning is going to win the Heisman. I am in on that. His granddad and Peyton probably should have won it and Arch will… I don’t know if he’ll win it this… pic.twitter.com/iZneeHfa5P
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 15, 2024
Arch is the son of the receiver manning. He is NOT like his uncles lol
— FOST (@GeorgeFoster72) September 15, 2024
