Clark Lea wouldn't be surprised if both Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning play in Texas-Vanderbilt

Steve Sarkisian has named Quinn Ewers the Texas starting quarterback moving forward but Arch Manning has now played competitive snaps in three games plus two drives. At the very least, Vanderbilt has to be thinking about the possibility of Manning getting on the field ahead of Saturday’s game. Maybe if Ewers struggles again, another switch will be made by Sarkisian.

Vandy head coach Clark Lea believes there is a chance his team sees both quarterbacks in the game but is not changing much up from a preparation standpoint. He sees the Sarkisian offensive system the same, no matter if Ewers or Manning is out there.

“I believe that this is a system on offense that doesn’t change dramatically with respect to who’s taking the snaps,” Lea said during his Tuesday press conference. “So, we’re preparing to defend the system. Obviously, both quarterbacks have played so I wouldn’t be surprised to see both. They got injury history there and you just never know.”

Ewers is the one with an injury history this season, dealing with an abdominal issue. He returned against Oklahoma but never found his stride in Dallas before the same carrying over against Georgia. Sarkisian does not believe the former injury is impacting how Ewers is currently playing.

But if Manning does get on the field, Lea admits there is a slight difference between them. Manning is more known for his athletic ability and is a more likely candidate to take off and run compared to Ewers. Still not enough for Lea to completely change the defense’s game plan if a switch is made at some point in Nashville.

“There are subtly differences in the way, the style, of the two guys,” Lea said. “Both are very talented and both have represented themselves very well. Certainly, we’re watching both and we’re talking about both, and we’re away of both but I think the offense is the offense. I don’t think it’s going to change too dramatically, no matter who’s out there.”