Steve Sarkisian blocking out quarterback controversy talk surrounding Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers was injured in the team’s win over UTSA and replaced by Arch Manning, who played well in relief. With that, head coach Steve Sarkisian has had to begin dealing with talk of a quarterback controversy.
Amid the conversations surrounding Texas and its quarterbacks, Sarkisian shared on the weekly SEC teleconference that he tries to block the outside noise and is instead focused on the team’s internal approach.
“I have no idea,” Steve Sarkisian said. “I don’t pay any attention to it. We focus on what we do. I try my best and our team and our organization regardless of the topic to not get motivated by external factors or to ride the emotional roller coaster of ‘We’re the best team ever. He’s the best player ever, or the worst ever,’ because there’s generally very few times when you’re somewhere in between.”
Arch Manning, given his family pedigree, is one of the most highly anticipated young quarterbacks in the game. When he’s had his opportunities on the field, Manning has also played well, including completing nine passes for 223 yards and four passing touchdowns while rushing for another touchdown on a 67-yard scramble against UTSA, adding fuel to the anticipation for his turn as the starter.
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“So, we try to stay really consistent with our approach, the way we coach our players, the way we motivate our players, the way we prepare,” Sarkisian said. “So, we don’t pay a lot of attention to what outside anything is, quite frankly.”
While Steve Sarkisian may not care about the outside noise surrounding his quarterbacks, there is more than a little outside noise. In particular, there has been a lot of praise for Manning as the backup and talk about what he could accomplish at Texas. Analyst Paul Finebaum even went as far as to say he could win the Heisman Trophy at Texas.
“He’s gonna win,” Finebaum said.
“I mean, I don’t think they look any different. Now, I’m sure, the the old timers will say — not that I’m a new timer — ‘Hey, that experience of Quinn Ewers.’ But Arch Manning looks like he’s been around and I think Texas is in great shape. As I remember, Spencer Rattler, wasn’t he the Heisman favorite going into the season? And he got replaced by Caleb Williams. So, I mean it’s happened before, but I’m sure Sark will figure this out. It doesn’t matter. Texas doesn’t have much on their dance card until we get to October, so they’re in good shape.”
For the time being, Quinn Ewers is injured and considered day-to-day before his return to the lineup for Texas. With that, Steve Sarkisian has not yet named a starter for Saturday night.