As the Longhorns faced a significant deficit in a huge matchup against Georgia on Saturday, they gave their star backup quarterback a shot.
Arch Manning came in for Texas’ QB1, Quinn Ewers, to face the Bulldogs after his team fell behind 20-0 in the second quarter of the Week 8 matchup.
Manning, who started two games for Texas this season while Ewers dealt with an injury, has been one of the most hyped quarterbacks prospects in recent memory. The freshman boasts top-tier arm talent and the instincts to someday lead an NFL franchise, the same way his uncles, Peyton and Eli Manning, did over their long football careers.
On Saturday, Manning got his biggest opportunity yet. Here’s what to know about the freshman quarterback subbing in vs. Georgia.
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Arch Manning replaces Quinn Ewers in Texas vs. Georgia
After Ewers started 6-for-12 with just 17 passing yards and an interception against Georgia, Manning began to warm up on the sidelines.
The Longhorns were facing a 20-0 deficit against the Bulldogs in one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the season, and head coach Steve Sarkisian gave his freshman quarterback an opportunity to give Texas’ offense some momentum.
Arch Manning has replaced Quinn Ewers against Georgia 👀 pic.twitter.com/1xc58plvdJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 20, 2024
Manning entered the game with under five minutes remaining in the first half. His first two passes against the Bulldogs fell incomplete, but on 2nd & 15, he completed an eight-yard pass to Gunnar Helm. However, Texas still couldn’t get any points on the board in its first drive with Manning under center. The freshman’s pass on 3rd & 7 fell incomplete, and the Longhorns punted.
Texas got another offensive opportunity before the end of the first half though, and Sarkisian stuck with Manning over Ewers. On the first play of his second drive, Manning had an open lane and ran for a 21-yard gain.
ARCH MANNING HAS WHEELS🏃🏻♂️💨🔥
🎥: ABC pic.twitter.com/2cBf139vZN
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) October 20, 2024
Georgia’s talented defense got to the Longhorns’ quarterback soon after. On 1st & 10, Manning was sacked by Jalon Walker for a loss of 11 yards. Then, Damon Wilson II took Manning down on the next play, and the freshman lost the ball in the process. Manning’s fumble gave the Bulldogs possession with prime field position, and Georgia used it to connect on a 44-yard field goal before halftime.
Entering the break, Sarkisian was asked about his decision to replace Ewers with Manning, saying “I was trying to settle down Quinn (Ewers) a little bit, give us a little bit of a spark.” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was asked about the quarterback change as well:
Georgia HC Kirby Smart when asked about Arch Manning and the QB change – “He’s a little better athlete”
pic.twitter.com/L8tc8C6MZ7— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) October 20, 2024
Texas trailed 23-0 at halftime, being shut out at home despite entering as the top-ranked team in the country. As the second half began, Sarkisian went back to Ewers to lead the Longhorns’ offense.
Arch Manning stats vs. Georgia
After he took over for Ewers in the second quarter, Manning finished the first half with 19 passing yards on 50% completion. He also had four carries for negative one yard and lost a fumble.
The freshman returned to the sidelines to begin the second half, as Sarkisian went back to Ewers as Texas’ QB1.
