Greg McElroy criticizes Steve Sarkisian for benching Quinn Ewers, playing Arch Manning

A controversial penalty reversal represented one of the defining moments of Texas‘ 30-15 loss to Georgia. But college football analyst Greg McElroy believes that head coach Steve Sarkisian‘s decision to let backup quarterback Arch Manning close out the first half in place of Quinn Ewers was even more impactful in Saturday’s showdown.

Manning played the last two drives of the first half before Ewers retook his role to end the game following a slow start. A choice that McElroy made clear he did not align with Monday during Always College Football.

“Quinn Ewers did not get off to a good start. He threw for 17 yards in the first half, had a couple turnovers before he was benched,” McElroy. “Here’s the problem though, and it’s one thing to bench a player … 98% of the college football world wants Arch Manning on the field. Why? Because I think many people believe that he is the next generation of super, super great quarterback play. He’s from football’s first family, all that stuff.”

“So when your backup quarterback has rock star status, you just can’t make that move there,” he added. “You have to force your starting quarterback into feeling comfortable.”

Sarkisian explained that he felt Ewers was a little uneasy to start the game and wanted to give him time to step back and regroup. Feeling like the decision was effective with Ewers playing much better in the second half.

And while McElroy did believe in Manning potentially providing a spark to the Longhorns’ offense and adding a dynamic rushing element that Ewers does not have, he thinks the big picture repercussions and discussion was not worth the risk.

“Now Pandora’s box has been opened, because Steve Sarkisian showed that he is not afraid to replace Quinn Ewers in favor of Arch Manning in the event in which Quinn Ewers struggles. That’s a problem because now, first series of the game, if Quinn Ewers starts a game one for three and they punt after a five-play drive stalls, you’re going to start hearing chants of Arch,” McElroy explained. “So the only way you could have pulled the plug on yours is if Arch is going to be your guy moving forward.”

McElroy compared the current Texas quarterback situation to his time in the NFL with the New York Jets. A position group that featured himself, starter Mark Sanchez, and fan favorite Tim Tebow. A situation that he said crushed the dynamic of that quarterback room and could have a strong impact on the Longhorns.

“So I think opening up Pandora’s Box is something that was a huge mistake. I don’t think Quinn had done enough at that point to justify being replaced or pulled,” McElroy said. “And I do think Steve Sarkisian, very few people in the country candle that position better than him. He played quarterback, he’s been in those shoes, he’s been in that helmet, he’s been in those meeting rooms. With who the backup is, and the celebrity status that he carries, I would have avoided that at all cost.”

Only time will tell how Saturday’s decision potentially impacts Texas moving forward this season, as they travel to Nashville to take on No. 25 ranked Vanderbilt this Saturday.

“We’ll see how it goes moving forward, it’ll be interesting. But you wait and see if Quinn gets off to a slow start at any point the rest of the way, people are going to be screaming at the top of their lungs at DKR to get Arch Manning in the game. That’s not good for the dynamic in that locker room whatsoever,” McElroy concluded.