Arch Manning Shines, Throws for 223 Yards and 4 TDs in Texas Win

Texas quarterback Arch Manning showed off his star potential in a 56-7 win over UTSA following his impressive performance in place of injured starter Quinn Ewers.

Arch Manning, the highly touted freshman quarterback, lit up the field for the Texas Longhorns in their 56-7 rout of UTSA on Saturday night, showcasing his exceptional talent and earning high praise from his head coach.

Manning stepped into the spotlight after Ewers went down with a "strained abdomen" early in the second quarter. Ewers had just completed a pass before limping away from the play and eventually taking a seat on the turf, where he called for trainers and was later ruled out for the game.

Arch Manning Shines, Throws for 223 Yards and 4 TDs in Texas Win

With Texas dominating from the outset, Manning seized the opportunity to demonstrate his offensive prowess. The nephew of NFL greats Peyton and Eli Manning opened with a four-play, 72-yard drive that culminated in a 19-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr., extending the Longhorns' lead to 21-0.

Not content with just throwing, Manning showcased his athleticism with a dazzling 67-yard run on the second play of Texas' next drive, brushing off tacklers and making it look effortless. The run pushed Texas' lead to 28-7.

Arch Manning Shines, Throws for 223 Yards and 4 TDs in Texas Win

In the second half, Manning continued to impress, launching a 51-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond in the third quarter and then connecting with Ryan Wingo for another deep ball downfield, this time for a 75-yard touchdown.

Manning's final stat line was impressive: nine completions on 12 attempts for 223 yards and four touchdowns, along with 53 rushing yards on three carries and a rushing touchdown.

Arch Manning Shines, Throws for 223 Yards and 4 TDs in Texas Win

After the game, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian praised Manning's ability to step up and deliver in a high-pressure situation.

"It’s hard when you have a backup who doesn’t have a ton of experience. Arch was our third guy last year," Sarkisian said. "There’s nothing like being in the game. Playing in front of 105,000 people is not the easiest thing to do. I’m really proud of Arch."

Despite Manning's exceptional performance, Sarkisian emphasized that Ewers, a senior who is expected to be a top NFL Draft pick in 2025, remains the team's starting quarterback and leader.

"He has the starting job, unless his injury remains something that will keep him sidelined," Sarkisian said.

Manning, for his part, is grateful for the opportunity to showcase his talent but is also mindful of Ewers' role on the team.

"I’ve just learned so much from him," Manning said. "He’s been the man to me, and I hope he’s OK."

As Texas fans celebrate Manning's performance, they can take solace in knowing that there is exceptional talent waiting in the wings should Ewers need extended time to recover.