Steve Sarkisian praises Arch Manning for how he played when stepping in after Quinn Ewers injury

In Texas‘ 56-7 win over UTSA on Saturday, Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers left the game with an injury in the second quarter. Backup QB and former five-star prospect Arch Manning replaced Ewers.

Manning didn’t allow his opportunity go to waste, putting on a show for the Texas faithful. After the game, head coach Steve Sarkisian praised Manning for his performance.

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“You never know, as a backup, when you’re going to get put in the game,” Sarkisian said. “For [Manning] to come in on his first play to hit DeAndre Moore for the touchdown. On his third play — we’re in a little different style of offense when he’s in there — the little zone read, to pull it and the explosive play.

“I love the post throw to Ryan Wingo for the for the long touchdown. The big corner route to Ryan. He threw a beautiful kind of slot fade to Johntay Cook for a touchdown. He did some nice things for us and extended some drives on third downs. So that was a great experience for him that he got.”

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Before taking the field on Saturday, Manning only had 11 career pass attempts for 125 yards. On Saturday, Manning made significant additions to his career totals, completing 9-of-12 passes for 223 yards and four touchdowns.

More opportunities coming for Arch Manning?

Additionally, Manning showed off his wheels, recording a 67-yard touchdown run in his second offensive series. Manning may have more opportunities to lead the Longhorns. After the game, Sarkisian provided an update on Ewers’ condition.

“It’s an oblique strain, an abdomen strain,” Sarkisian said. “It remains to be seen kind of the seriousness of that and the length of that. We don’t think it’s anything structural or broken or things like that. It was an odd play. But again, that gave an opportunity for Arch to get some valuable playing time and experience.”

This season is Ewers’ third in a row suffering an injury. While Texas certainly doesn’t want to lose Ewers behind center, expectations have never been higher for Manning. On Sunday, Paul Finebaum claimed Manning will win the Heisman Trophy before his collegiate career is over.

“Book it,” Finebaum said on SportsCenter. “Arch Manning is going to win the Heisman. I am in on that. And by the way, his granddad [Archie Manning] and Peyton [Manning] probably should have won it, and Arch will. Can you imagine? He’s replacing a Heisman favor right now. I don’t know if he’ll win it this year, but Arch Manning will definitely win the Heisman at Texas.”