UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor evaluates Arch Manning, reveals second half plan

Jeff Traylor spent all week preparing for Quinn Ewers only to see an injury force Texas to make a switch in the second quarter. Arch Manning is now in the game for the Longhorns, starting the second half in a 28-7 game. Early returns were successful but there still is two quarters of football left to be played.

Despite being down three scores, Traylor feels good about where his team stands. He believes the contest is closer than the scoreline may indicate, especially with a redshirt freshman quarterback in the game. Even though the 67-yard touchdown run from Manning impressed, UTSA plans to throw some pressure in his face moving forward.

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“‘This game is closer than the score’ the words of Jeff Traylor, UTSA head coach,” ESPN sideline reporter Quint Kessenich said. “I asked him about Arch, he said ‘He can run.’ I was like ‘Yeah, he can run.’ One thing to look for is pressure. UTSA wants to continue to pressure an inexperienced quarterback. At times, Arch’s internal clock has not been in sync with game speed.”

Not too long after Kessenich’s report, Manning threw his second touchdown pass of the game. Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond was on the receiving end and did most of the work. A bubble screen to the field side, Bond used his speed to run past the entire UTSA defense untouched.

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It marked the second touchdown on the night from Bond, with his first coming from Ewers. Texas now leads by 28 points early in the third quarter and despite Traylor’s thoughts, may be rolling their way to a win. UTSA will likely not stop attempting to speed up Manning though, hoping to get a few mistakes from somebody playing his first real extended period of snaps.

An important second half upcoming for the Longhorns.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian assesses play of Arch Manning in first half

Texas was forced to make a quarterback switch early in the second quarter against UTSA. Quinn Ewers went down the an injury, one Steve Sarkisian said was a strained abdomen. One of the more well-known backup QBs in college football, Arch Manning replaced Ewers and will likely see the game out.

Sarkisian had the opportunity to assess the play of Manning heading into the halftime locker room. Manning has received playing time before but the circumstances on Saturday are quite different, being competitive snaps. So far, so good from the head coach’s perspective.

“It was a good start,” Sarkisian said. “Break down of protection there. So, he’s going through it. First time really playing good football.”