Steve Sarkisian makes definitive statement on how Arch Manning's emergence has impacted Quinn Ewers

Texas has maintained that Quinn Ewers is and will continue to be their starter despite Arch Manning having been in his place over the last two or so games. That’s Steve Sarkisian doing nothing but being straightforward about their plans at that position.

Sarkisian addressed his messaging on the Longhorns’ quarterback question during his press conference on Monday. Simply put, there’s no gamesmanship or anything hidden in that. What he has said is how he and the team feel about the dynamic between Ewers and Manning.

“It’s just me being honest. I sleep better when I’m honest,” said Sarkisian. “So, just being honest. I mean, that’s how I genuinely feel.”

“I speak to it like I would anything else. I try to be very matter of fact with y’all. So I don’t feel like I’m trying to send messages or mix messages or anything,” Sarkisian said. “It’s just that that’s how I feel.”

With that, Sarkisian once again justified Ewers’ position as their starter while also expressing their appreciation for how Manning has played during his time away.

“You know, Quinn has earned and deserved that right to be our starting quarterback,” said Sarkisian.

“Arch has continued to work really hard. Like I said, we’re fortunate to have him and the player that he is, the leader that he is as well,” Sarkisian said.

Ewers has missed snaps in the last three games due to a strained abdomen. Manning has come in since then as the reserve and performed well in his first real collegiate action. He is 50-72 (69.4%) for 806 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions. He has also rushed for 82 yards and two more scores. That has allowed the Longhorns to outscore UTSA, UL Monroe, and Mississippi State by an average of 35 points since he stepped in as part of three wins.

Still, coming out of the bye week, Ewers seems as though he’ll be back for the Red River Rivalry.

With that being the case, Sarkisian is grateful to have had the situation that they do at quarterback over the past month.

“It’s a very fortunate situation that we’re in that, again, doesn’t happen very often the way that it does but we happen to be in that position right now,” Sarkisian said.