Arch Manning, a scion of football quarterback royalty, made an explosive college debut for the No. 2 Texas Longhorns on Saturday. Manning’s unexpected entry into the game against UTSA resulted in a dazzling performance that has set the college football world abuzz.
The 19-year-old Manning, nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, was thrust into action in the second quarter after starting quarterback Quinn Ewers left the game with what coach Steve Sarkisian later described as a “strained abdomen.”
Manning’s response was nothing short of spectacular, accounting for five touchdowns in Texas’ 56-7 rout of UTSA.
Manning’s first play was a 19-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore. He followed this with a 67-yard touchdown run on a zone read play, a showcase of speed and elusiveness. This run marked the longest touchdown by a Texas quarterback since Vince Young’s 80-yard dash in 2005.
In the air, Manning completed 9 of 12 passes for 223 yards and four touchdowns, including a 75-yard strike to freshman Ryan Wingo. His performance was so impressive that it catapulted him into the Heisman Trophy conversation, with his odds improving to +1600 on BetMGM, seventh on the sportsbook’s list.
Despite the hype surrounding his debut, Manning remained humble in his post-game comments.
“It helps when you have great players around you and good coaches,” he said, praising his teammates and coaching staff.
Manning also acknowledged feeling nervous initially but said scoring on his first play helped calm his nerves.
“He’s just a normal guy who plays quarterback for the University of Texas. The name on the back of his jersey is one thing, but who he is as a teammate I think is another,” Coach Sarkisian said.
While Manning’s performance has ignited calls from fans for him to start, Sarkisian maintains that Ewers will remain the starter once healthy.
Take a look at the highlights of Manning’s impressive debut —