Texas redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning’s extremely anticipated beginning debut had its share of ups and downs, however the Longhorns dominated overmatched Louisiana-Monroe 51-3 on Saturday evening earlier than 102,850 at Darrell Ok Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Manning, the son of Cooper Manning, nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning and grandson of Archie Manning, completed 15 of 29 passing for 258 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Manning began on Saturday evening rather than injured starter Quinn Ewers, who’s recovering from a strained indirect suffered final week in a win towards UTSA.
Manning led the Longhorns’ first workforce offense for 10 sequence, leaving the sport early within the fourth as true freshman Trey Owens entered. Right here’s what we discovered from his efficiency.
Manning’s prime highlights
It’s clear to see why Manning was such a coveted recruit. His arm energy and accuracy had been spectacular on Saturday evening. The deep balls he uncorked sometimes landed at or close to their meant targets, and he accomplished passes of 56 and 46 yards.
ARCH MANNING RESPONDS AFTER HIS INT 🔥
A 56-yard DIME proper to the fingers of Isaiah Bond 😤 pic.twitter.com/mZ1aDgpLzT
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 22, 2024
The 6-4, 225-pound Manning didn’t appear to get rattled at any level, even when taking massive hits. He bought proper again up every time. And he operated the offense like a veteran quarterback.
ARCH MANNING DROPPIN’ DIMES vs. UL Monroe 😳
A 46-yard throw and catch to Matthew Golden 💪 pic.twitter.com/xWJtwqYu8A
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 22, 2024
He bounced again from an interception on his first drive to guide 4 consecutive landing drives, which pushed Texas out to a 28-0 lead early within the second quarter. It was an up-and-down exhibiting from there, and he threw one other interception late within the first half, however he completed sturdy with two extra landing drives of 66 and 63 yards within the second half. — Sam Khan Jr.
Scouting Arch’s first begin
It was hardly good, however Manning regarded firmly answerable for the offense, wasn’t confused or overwhelmed by any checks or adjustments and stored issues transferring towards an inferior opponent with out subject. Texas put Manning in a number of play-action conditions, permitting the big-armed sophomore to throw just a few fairly deep balls. Like a variety of quarterbacks his age, Manning nonetheless defaults to the deepest throw within the idea. He pressured one into a number of defenders early on and bought picked off. He threw one other one into two extra defenders a bit bit later and practically accomplished it. Extra expertise ought to construct extra consolation and clear up many of the present hiccups in Manning’s sport.
He’s nonetheless a bit late along with his basic pocket processing, particularly if the protection isn’t one thing he was anticipating or a route will get thrown off-kilter. A number of that’s timing, although, and Manning’s a younger backup – in order that’s comprehensible. Normally, this may go within the books as a terrific expertise for Manning as he was in a position to put each nice throws and correctable errors on tape. He’ll acquire confidence and be taught a ton on the identical time. — Nick Baumgardner
Texas continues to play its QB state of affairs appropriately
Though Manning’s highs had been spectacular, his errors confirmed his youth and inexperience. From forcing throws he shouldn’t to easily missing the polish that Ewers has from his 25 profession begins, it’s clear that Manning nonetheless has room to develop.
Manning’s potential appears limitless given his uncooked bodily talent. Saturday’s prolonged motion can be educating tape for coach Steve Sarkisian. — Khan
GO DEEPER
How Texas is attaining uncommon QB concord with Arch Manning, Quinn Ewers
Arch’s first school interception
Proper now, Manning’s greatest areas for enchancment are basic pocket consciousness and transferring shortly via his progressions when his first learn is taken away. The primary choose of his school profession, on Texas’ opening drive, was an instance of each. Manning took an pointless hit as a result of he stared down a learn far too lengthy, moderately than both transferring off that receiver and onto his No. 2, or scrambling. Then he pressured a throw into three defenders. All the pieces about Manning’s move mechanics, from his toes to his launch, is forward of his years. The fundamentals of taking part in quarterback towards dwell defenders, although? Nonetheless a piece in progress, as anticipated. — Baumgardner
Arch Manning throws his first profession interception on the opening drive of the sport. pic.twitter.com/2wXd8q4HcK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 22, 2024
Ought to Quinn Ewers be trying over his shoulder?
No, there is no such thing as a quarterback controversy in Austin. Quinn Ewers led Texas to the School Soccer Playoff final season, coming inside an end-zone deflection towards Washington from advancing to the nationwide championship sport. Simply two weeks in the past, Ewers shredded Michigan within the Large Home, a efficiency so spectacular it helped vault the Longhorns to the No. 1 rating within the AP ballot every week later. As soon as he returns to well being, Manning will return to being the perfect backup quarterback within the nation.
Clearly, it might turn out to be a problem for Sarkisian if Ewers comes again however struggles, particularly with video games towards Oklahoma and Georgia looming back-to-back in mid-October. But when and when Texas loses for the primary time, it should most likely not be on account of its passing sport, which has to date been the most important energy of the workforce. — Stewart Mandel
(Photograph: Tim Warner / Getty Pictures)