Kirk Herbstreit makes firm statement on Texas QB situation between Arch Manning, Quinn Ewers
Texas quarterback Arch Manning is set to make the first start of his career Saturday night when the Longhorns host Louisiana Monroe. Manning is filling in for Quinn Ewers, who is out this week with an oblique strain.
Kirk Herbstreit was asked on SportsCenter Saturday morning what Texas should do at quarterback moving forward if Manning lights up the scoreboard against ULM.
Herbstreit fully expects Manning to put up impressive stats, but no matter what happens, he feels strongly that this is still Quinn Ewers’ team.
“Let me just give you tonight’s internet and Twitter – he’s going to go 20 of 25; he’s going to throw for 320. He might run for 100,” Kirk Herbstreit said. “And all of that’s going to be talking about he’s the guy, how is he not our quarterback? Let me just say that the guy that he’s stepping in for today is the Heisman [favorite], in my mind. This is Quinn Ewers’ team, dude. He’s down for a week, and he’ll be right back.”
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Through three games this season, Quinn Ewers is completing 73 percent of his passes for 691 yards. He has 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
As for Arch Manning, in limited playing time he is completing nearly 78 percent of his passes for 318 yards, with 5 touchdowns and no picks.
Manning impressed off the bench last weekend against UTSA when Ewers was banged up, passing for 223 yards and 4 touchdowns on only 12 pass attempts. But his time to be the guy at Texas is coming down the road and is not right now, per Herbstreit.
“I love Arch. I think the Manning family will tell you this – no matter what he does, it’s Quinn Ewers’ team,” Herbstreit said. “He’ll come right back and be the starter. Arch understands that probably better than anybody.”
Ultimately, Herbstreit feels that Arch Manning is the future for Texas football and will do great things in Austin. But this year the Texas quarterback position belongs to Quinn Ewers, who has a chance to have a special season himself.
“He’s going to go off today, but let’s put that on the side,” Herbstreit said of Manning. “Arch time, it’s coming. But right now it’s Quinn Ewers. It’s 2024. And it’s this Texas team. Arch will have plenty of time, but right now he’s in it to be that backup and play well today, and he will.”