Steve Sarkisian reveals why Texas didn’t play Arch Manning against BYU

Ahead of Texas‘ game against BYU, head coach Steve Sarkisian made the decision to start Maalik Murphy in place of the injured Quinn Ewers. Still, he left the door open for Arch Manning to play, listing the starting quarterback with “or” on the depth chart.

Still, Manning didn’t play. That’s a decision that Sarkisian explained following the game.

“I just wanted to try to find a little more rhythm offensively,” Steve Sarkisian said. “We just weren’t into the flow that I would have liked. Maybe if we could have punched a couple of those drives in when we got stopped inside the five. But we didn’t. To me, it was making sure we had enough rhythm with Maalik in there.”

Texas beat BYU 35-6, though the game was closer than the final score going into the fourth quarter. Maalik Murphy finished the game with 170 yards passing, with two touchdowns and an interception.

“That’s why I’m hesitant on those things to say ‘Yes, he’s going to go in.’ Because now, I’m going to get called a liar because I didn’t put him in. Just felt like it wasn’t the right time.”

While Steve Sarkisian may not have found the right time to put Arch Manning in the game, it was something on his mind. Even prior to the game, Sarkisian said his coaches had discussed playing Manning.

“Because I do think there’s some valuable experience for him in that, but I have to make sure that’s in the best interest of the team, and I have to make sure that the team comes first in everything that we do, but I do see the value in something like that. I’m just not ready to make that call, yet,” Sarkisian had said before the game.

Ultimately, Arch Manning didn’t play against BYU. However, he will have another chance to play next week against Kansas State.

Steve Sarkisian reveals what he has learned about Maalik Murphy, Arch Manning

Prior to the BYU game, Steve Sarkisian explained what he’s learned about Arch Manning and Maalik Murphy.

“I learned that they have the ability to keep doing what they’ve been doing. They prepare really well. Again, I think they have great rapport with [quarterback coach AJ] Milwee. One thing that I learned a bit more about, which I felt coming in, is that they have great rapport with their teammates. Their teammates want these guys to play well if and when their number is called,” Sarkisian said.

“It’s kind of, ‘Oh, Maalik is making his first career start? Well, we have to play well around him.’ Naturally, for anybody, there is going to be some excitement in his bones to want to go play good, so they make sure they play well around him.”