Arch Manning’s First Start Rates ‘C-Plus’ in Texas Blowout Victory

AUSTIN, Texas — Arch Manning made a notable debut as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, throwing for 258 yards with two touchdowns but also two interceptions. This performance helped the team achieve a dominant 51-3 victory over UL Monroe, marking a strong showing for the No. 1 ranked Longhorns, who improved their record to 4-0.

Despite starting the game with an interception on his first possession, Manning quickly found his rhythm. Throughout the game, Texas scored touchdowns on six out of his ten drives, allowing them to build a comfortable 44-3 lead before he exited early in the fourth quarter. The redshirt freshman successfully completed 15 of his 29 passing attempts.

Manning expressed candidness about his performance, particularly regarding his initial interception that was caught by ULM defensive back Carl Fauntroy just three minutes into the game. Reflecting on his overall play, he commented, “Probably a C-plus, but a win’s a win.”

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian emphasized that there were no expectations for Manning to deliver a perfect game right away. He acknowledged that the young quarterback would learn valuable lessons following this experience and that preparation was key. “I thought he was going to prepare really well, work really hard, do everything he could to play good football,” Sarkisian explained.

The Longhorns benefited from strong support across the board, notably from running back Jaydon Blue, who rushed for 124 yards and scored a total of four touchdowns. Additionally, Texas’ defense performed exceptionally well, limiting the Warhawks to just 111 total yards, averaging only 2.2 yards per play.

Sarkisian had planned for Manning to take risky deep shots against UL Monroe’s defense. The five-star recruit successfully connected on eight passes for 15 yards or more, showcasing his ability with notable completions including a 56-yard pass to Isaiah Bond and a 46-yard throw to Matthew Golden. Manning managed to find 11 different receivers throughout the game.

“Having so many playmakers around you, it definitely brings up the comfort level for me,” Manning remarked. He acknowledged the importance of getting his teammates involved and allowing them to thrive in open space.

Manning stepped in this game following an oblique strain that sidelined regular starter Quinn Ewers during Texas’ 56-7 victory over UTSA the previous week. Ewers’ situation is currently labeled as day-to-day, and there is hope that he could return for Texas’ SEC debut against Mississippi State in the coming week. In Ewers’ absence against UTSA, Manning had already made an impression, garnering SEC Freshman of the Week honors after accumulating 276 total yards and five touchdowns.

The upcoming schedule for the Longhorns is challenging. After facing Mississippi State at home, the team will have a week off, followed by intense matchups against No. 15 Oklahoma and No. 2 Georgia in consecutive weeks.

Texas, with aspirations of a national championship, has lived up to those expectations thus far, outpacing opponents with a remarkable score of 190-22 in their first four games. The team’s resilience was evident in their toughest challenge against then-No. 10 Michigan, securing a 31-12 victory on the road. With the Longhorns winning 16 of their last 18 games, Sarkisian remains optimistic about his team’s strength, depth, and maturity as they prepare for SEC competition.

“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 noted. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and a lot of great games ahead of us.”