Arch Manning’s 1st Start Rated ‘C-plus’ as No. 1 Texas Wins Easily

AUSTIN, Texas — Arch Manning made his debut as a starting quarterback for Texas, throwing for 258 yards along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. This performance led the No. 1 Longhorns to a decisive 51-3 victory over UL Monroe, bringing their record to 4-0. Manning stepped in for the injured Quinn Ewers, who was unavailable for the game.

Although Manning threw an interception on his very first drive, he quickly regained his composure. By the end of the game, Texas had scored touchdowns on six of his ten drives, establishing a firm 44-3 lead by the time Manning exited early in the fourth quarter. He completed 15 of his 29 pass attempts, showcasing potential but also areas for growth.

Reflecting on his performance, Manning noted that there were several plays he wished he could have executed differently, especially the first interception that occurred under pressure. When asked to evaluate his outing, he modestly assessed it as a “C-plus,” emphasizing that winning is what truly matters. “A win’s a win,” he stated succinctly.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledged the challenges Manning faced. He stated, “To think he was going to come out and play a perfect game, I don’t think anybody in here thought that.” Sarkisian expressed confidence in Manning’s preparation, emphasizing that the experience was valuable for the young quarterback.

In this game, Manning received strong support from his teammates. Running back Jaydon Blue was particularly impressive, rushing for 124 yards and contributing four total touchdowns. The Longhorns’ defense was dominant, restricting UL Monroe’s offense, led by General Booty, to just 111 total yards and a mere 2.2 yards per play.

According to Sarkisian, the strategy for Manning was to be aggressive and take deep shots against UL Monroe’s defense. Manning managed to connect on several of these opportunities, with eight passes sailing for 15 yards or more. Notable completions included a 56-yard pass to Isaiah Bond and a 46-yard throw to Matthew Golden. Throughout the game, Manning distributed the ball effectively, connecting with a total of 11 different receivers.

Manning spoke about the advantages of having numerous playmakers on the team, stating, “Having so many playmakers around you, it definitely brings up the comfort level.” He highlighted how getting his receivers into space to make plays was crucial for the team’s success.

Quinn Ewers’ absence was a significant factor in the game. He had sustained an oblique strain in the previous week’s victory over UTSA and is currently considered day-to-day. There is hope that he might return in time for the Longhorns’ SEC debut against Mississippi State next week. During Ewers’ absence, Manning had already been named SEC Freshman of the Week for his performance against UTSA, where he accounted for 276 total yards and five touchdowns.

Looking ahead, after facing Mississippi State in their first SEC game, the Longhorns will have a bye week before confronting formidable opponents, including No. 15 Oklahoma and No. 2 Georgia in consecutive weeks.

The Longhorns are making a strong push for a national championship, demonstrating their capabilities through the first four games of the season. They have outscored their opponents 190-22 and performed impressively against tough competition, including a notable 31-12 road victory against then-No. 10 Michigan. With 16 wins in their last 18 games, Sarkisian is optimistic about the team’s talent, depth, and maturity as they prepare for the challenges of the SEC.

“I’m pleased with where we’re at, but it’s like everything I just told the team: The mission is far from over,” Sarkisian remarked. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and a lot of great games ahead of us.”