Steve Sarkisian explains decision to bench Quinn Ewers, insert Arch Manning

Steve Sarkisian decided to make a quarterback change following the Texas offense’s rough start against Georgia, turning to Arch Manning. One week after looking rusty against Oklahoma, the start from Quinn Ewers was not much better. Texas was quickly playing from behind and Sarkisian felt the need to make a switch.

ESPN’s Holly Rowe spoke with Sarkisian before heading into the halftime locker room, asking him the logic behind his decision. The head coach says Ewers needed to settle down while Manning had an opportunity to provide a spark.

No matter who has been out there, not much luck for Texas as Georgia heads into the break with a 23-0 lead in Austin.

“I was just trying to settle Quinn down a little bit,” Sarkisian said. “Trying to give us a little bit of a spark. But we got to get out of our own way. We’re not playing very good as a unit right now. Thank God our defense is putting out some fires for us.”

Manning has completed three of his six passes for 19 yards, somehow being the leading passer through two quarters. Ewers has just 17 yards on 12 attempts but did throw an interception. The first Texas turnover came after Ewers did not see a Georgia player coming off the left edge, hitting him, and forcing a fumble.

Quarterback struggles and decisions take the headlines and rightfully so. But Sarkisian knows there are issues throughout the entire Texas offense, specifically on the line. He wants to see better results from them in early downs to set up whoever is back there for success.

“We got to win on first down,” Sarkisian said. “We got to capitalize on 3rd and 4s, 3rd and 3s. We got to find some explosive plays.”

Texas has quite the mountain to climb if they want to get back into the game. No matter who is out there at quarterback — Ewers or Manning — better offensive production will be needed.