The top-ranked Texas Longhorns are 5-0 and prepared for this year’s installment of the Red River Rivalry, their annual matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners.
It marks the first time in nearly 60 years that Texas is No. 1 in the country going into the game, and the hype levels are off the charts for the squad. They are favored by two touchdowns and appear to be in the driver’s seat for a spot in the SEC Championship.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning had been filling in for starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, who suffered an oblique injury in Texas’ Week 3 win over the UTSA Roadrunners.
Ewers will be back in action for the Red River Rivalry, head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed Thursday.
Manning, the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Eli, garnered tremendous buzz since bursting onto the national scene as a high schooler.
In the two-and-a-half games that Manning replaced Ewers at quarterback, the freshman completed 55-of-78 passes for 900 yards and had nine touchdown passes to two interceptions. He also has three rushing touchdowns.
While Manning will return to his backup role, it must be reassuring for Sarkisian to know that if something happens to Ewers again, the team would be in good hands with the blossoming star backup.
Last week, Fox’s Joel Klatt declared that Texas is one of a handful of schools where Manning won’t be the starter at the moment.
Assuming Ewers leaves Texas for the NFL after this season, the Longhorns are in good hands with Manning.
[ESPN]
