The Longhorns’ spring game on Saturday ended with Texas quarterback Trey Owens’ orange defeating Arch Manning’s white, but Manning’s performance was the highlight of the day.
Manning completed 19 of 25 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns on the day, giving many Longhorn fans hope that he would be the backup.
But it was his 75-yard touchdown that was the talk of the town.
Manning entered the game late in the first quarter, faking a screen to confuse cornerback Terrence Brooks with a switch route and finding sophomore wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. on the field for a long score. .
Although they failed to score on their first two drives, Manning’s touchdown with less than two minutes left in the first quarter gave the white team the victory.
On the next possession, Manning continued his momentum, scoring a 29-yard touchdown thanks to the legs of junior running back Jadon Blue, but senior linebacker Morris Blackwell ran past Jadon Blue. Blue fell flat on his feet.
By halftime, Manning helped White cut the Orange’s lead to 21-17 and began the second half with another touchdown drive, highlighted by a leaping catch by junior Isaiah Bond, a transfer from Alabama. showed.
That reception, along with a long reception to sophomore wide receiver Jontae Cook, set up CJ Baxter’s short touchdown run.
Throughout Texas’ 12-2 season in 2023, there was much speculation as to whether the freshman quarterback would enter the transfer portal as another program’s top signal caller.
However, head coach Steve Sarkisian said there is no competition for quarterback, with Manning choosing to stick around at Texas as a backup for a second year and Quinn Ewers choosing to hold off on making the jump to the NFL. Ta.
Despite the uphill climb, Manning still proved his worth with the Longhorns, and his uncle, Giants legend Eli Manning, said it was a wise decision.
“Obviously, the plan might be for Ewers to go to the NFL,” Eli Manning previously said. This is another year for Arch to grow, learn the offense, get bigger and stronger in the weight room and always be ready to play. You never know what will happen. He should be ready. If not, he could get some playing time here and there and get three more years of eligibility at a great school, and a great football program that is growing. Just because he can’t play right now, the fact that he can easily be transferred doesn’t mean he should. ”
Arch made just two appearances last season, completing 2 of 5 passes for 30 total yards.
