Texas Longhorns Quarterback Situation: A Celebration of Resilience and Performance
In Austin, Texas, the excitement of college football carried a slight shadow this past Saturday as fans witnessed a thrilling game that also raised concerns over the health of starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. Ewers, who adeptly had been leading the second-ranked Longhorns, faced an abdominal injury in the second quarter during their game against UTSA.
The Injury and Its Impact
It all happened during a spectacular 49-yard pass aimed at tight end Gunnar Helm. Ewers, with seemingly no contact injury, had to exit the game shortly after. He lingered on the field for one more play but then turned to the sidelines, signaling for help as he pointed to his midsection. Ewers eventually found his way to the injury tent and then headed to the locker room donning street clothes — a sight no fan likes to see.
On Sunday, there was positive news regarding Ewers’ condition. Reports suggested he might only miss this week’s game against Louisiana-Monroe, which offered a sigh of relief for both fans and teammates. However, the trend of injuries is unfortunately not new for the starting quarterback, who has faced several setbacks over the past year, including a clavicle injury and a sprained AC joint. Coach Steve Sarkisian shared that Quinn is likely in a good head space given his experience, which encourages fans looking ahead in the season.
Arch Manning Stepping Up
The game continued, and in walked freshman quarterback Arch Manning, who had little on-field experience until now. Would he falter under the immense pressure? Absolutely not. Manning took the opportunity and ran with it — quite literally! He threw for 223 yards and delivered an impressive four touchdown passes, while also securing a 67-yard rushing touchdown, leading the team to a dominating victory with the score set at 56-7.
As Ewers was being tended to, Sarkisian took the time to prepare Manning for the task ahead. Manning’s first pass? A cool 19-yard touchdown to DeAndre Moore Jr., setting the momentum of the game early on. “That’s perfect. Great,” Manning noted casually as he entered a pivotal role. It honestly felt like one of those moments where a star was truly born.
A Flash of Brilliance
Once on the field, his explosive performance showcased his potential. Manning channeled his inner Vince Young, racing down the field for that remarkable 67-yard rushing score, marking the longest rushing touchdown by a Texas quarterback since 2005. By halftime, the Longhorns had a solid 28-7 lead, and Manning was only just getting warmed up.
After the break, there were additional fireworks as he completed a stunning 51-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond and a 75-yard connection with Ryan Wingo. His solid performance allowed the third-string quarterback, Trey Owens, to take over and finish the game smoothly.
Looking Ahead
The Longhorns coach emphasized the importance of preparing his backup quarterbacks. “We never know when one of those guys has to go in,” Sarkisian stated, noting that Monday practices focus on running the toughest plays without limitation. With this preparation, Manning was able to lead with confidence and skill.
As for Ewers, he had already completed 14-of-16 passes for 185 yards with two touchdowns before his unfortunate exit. With the upcoming games against tougher opponents like Mississippi State and the highly-anticipated match against No. 15 Oklahoma on October 12, the team is expecting a lot.
The Road Ahead
Fans are certainly hopeful that Ewers’ injury is minor and that he’ll be back to lead the Longhorns in their push for greatness this season. In the meantime, one thing’s for sure: Arch Manning’s time to shine has arrived, and it’s looking bright. No matter the circumstances, the resilience of this team showcases the heart of Texas football.
