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Arch Manning Impresses in First College Start as Texas Wins
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Arch Manning Impresses in First College Start as Texas Wins

Arch Manning’s first game as Texas’ starting quarterback got off to a rocky start.

But that didn’t last long.

Manning was intercepted by UL-Monroe’s Carl Fauntroy on the first possession of the game Saturday night at Darrel K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.

But as expected, Manning kept it going from there, leading Texas to a 51-3 victory.

Manning, who played the entire game, was 15 of 29 for 258 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

On the first drive after the interception, the redshirt freshman went on a seven-play, 77-yard drive to give the Longhorns a 7-0 lead, highlighted by a 56-yard pass to Isaiah Bond, capped by a one-yard run from Jaydon Blue.

Manning had just gotten started.

After the Texas defense gave Manning a short field after an interception, he went back to work, capping a four-play, 13-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Blue, giving the Longhorns a 14-0 lead.

After UL-Monroe was forced to punt, Manning connected with star forward Ryan Wingo for a 17-yard touchdown pass, capping a six-play, 73-yard drive that extended Texas’ first-quarter lead to 21-0.

Arch Manning had a strong first game as the starting quarterback in college football. aniel Dunn-Imagn-images

Manning didn’t give up in the second quarter.

He led Texas on a 12-play, 87-yard drive, highlighted by a 46-yard pass to Matthew Golden and a 19-yard strike to Bond, capped by a 2-yard run by Blue.

After the Warhawks scored a field goal for their first points, Manning got the ball back, but this time the ball was intercepted by Wydett Williams Jr., giving UL-Monroe good field position.

But the turnover proved costless, as the Longhorns blocked a Max Hunter field goal attempt from 45 yards out to end the half.

Arch Manning throws a bomb during Texas’ game against UL-Monroe. aniel Dunn-Imagn-images

Manning finished the half completing 11 of 21 runs for 214 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Arch — the son of Cooper Manning, the grandson of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and the nephew of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning — came off the bench last week to lead the Longhorns to a blowout win over UTSA after preseason Heisman Trophy candidate Quinn Ewers left with an oblique injury.

Manning and the Longhorns scored another touchdown in the third quarter, thanks largely to Blue’s strength and running game, to take a 35-3 lead.

Arch Manning greets Texas fans as he enters the stadium for the game against UL-Monroe. Getty Images

Texas then added a safety and entered the fourth quarter with a 37-3 lead.

The Longhorns scored a quick touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Manning orchestrated a nine-play, 63-yard drive that included both running and passing to increase their lead to 44-3.

Late in the final round, the Longhorns took a 51-3 lead on a 10-play, 57-yard drive, all runs, keeping Manning fit in a game that has already been decided.

Arch Manning is already getting a lot of appreciation from his Longhorn fans. AP

The Longhorns received hopeful news on Saturday regarding Ewers’ injury status.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Ewers will return in a few weeks for the October 12 game between Red River and Oklahoma.

“The overwhelming expectation is that he will be back in the game, barring some setback,” Thamel said on the network’s “College GameDay” show.

If that’s the case, that would mean Manning gets one more start next week against Mississippi State, then Texas gets a bye before facing Oklahoma.