Arch Manning has many ups, some downs in his first career start

Texas quarterback Arch Manning made his first career collegiate start on Saturday against the ULM Warhawks exactly 56 years after his grandfather and namesake Archie Manning‘s first career start for Ole Miss at Memphis State.

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Archie’s final stat line in 1968 read 8-for-14 for 116 yards, two passing touchdowns, one interception, and a rushing touchdown in a 21-7 win, hinting at his ability to set offensive records that stood in the SEC for decades while still showing areas needing improvement.

Arch’s did the same on Saturday as part of the No. 1 Texas Longhorns’ 51-3 win over ULM. Manning was 15-for-29 for 258 yards and two touchdowns along with two interceptions.

Similarities end about there, especially when considering the situation Arch was in on Saturday. Manning, just a redshirt freshman, is typically the Longhorns’ backup quarterback but was thrust into the starting role due to an abdomen injury suffered by regular starter Quinn Ewers last week against UTSA.

Archie’s debut against Memphis State was the start of a standout career that included SEC Player of the Year honors in 1969 and back-to-back All-SEC accolades in 1969 and 1970.

Arch’s first start wasn’t his first action as that took place last year against Texas Tech. And, Saturday could end up being his last start of the season. All that said, the scion of America’s first football family looked like a redshirt freshman on some snaps and a Manning on others.

How did Manning think he did?

“Probably like a C+, but a win’s a win,” Arch said postgame.

Said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian: “Hey, learning lessons, right? To think he was going to come out and play a perfect game, I don’t think anybody in here thought that. We thought he was going to prepare really well, work really hard, and do everything he could to play good football. He’s going to have some lessons to learn and I think that’s what tonight was about.”

Manning joked that the game felt a lot longer considering he was on the field for the first offensive snap as opposed to his first snap taking place in the middle of the third quarter with Texas up 30. It took time for the Longhorns to develop the final margin, and some mistakes were made by Manning in the process.

ULM picked Manning off during the Longhorns’ first offensive series. He responded. On his very next throw, he hit Isaiah Bond for a 56-yard gain that set up Texas’ first score. That touchdown was a short pass from Manning to Jaydon Blue.

Texas let Manning, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking, fire it downfield early and often against ULM. The Longhorn O-line gave him a lot of opportunity to showcase his arm strength from the pocket. UT tallied eight passing plays of 15-plus yards, including three that went for 25-plus yards.

Sarkisian said maybe that type of plan had Manning looking to fire fastballs rather than needed changeups in the form of checkdowns, as one of his interceptions careened off Blue’s hands. Some throws Manning made were more freshman mistake than gameplan snafu, as to be expected from a quarterback his age despite his last name.

Overall, Sarkisian liked what he saw from Manning not just on Saturday but since Cooper’s son arrived on campus. Manning showed up in Austin with all the hype in the world only to be the third-teamer for his first season.

He has since blossomed into a quarterback who, while not perfect, can make throws in Sarkisian’s offense that threaten defenses in every area of the field. He’s also learned how to play with a calm demeanor, something Manning believes helps him execute.

“I think sometimes I play the best when I’m just having fun, keeping it light-hearted, just playing the game I love,” Manning said.

Manning mentioned he tries to prepare every week like he’s the starter. Typically, the title of Texas’ starting quarterback belongs to Ewers. Sarkisian made no declaration regarding if Ewers would return for the Longhorns’ first SEC game against Mississippi State in one week, but praised Ewers for helping Manning keep things light on the sidelines in what was likely a nerve-inducing debut.

“He has grown a ton, and that takes a lot of maturity to get that done,” Sarkisian said of Manning.

Archie would probably tell him the same. While Archie would go onto lead the Rebels to a 7-3-1 season in 1968, there’s a chance Manning returns to his backup role next weekend, or possibly the week after when the Longhorns are on their first bye of the 2024 season.

It was a debut with many ups and a handful of downs. Like Archie in Memphis 56 years ago for his first start, Arch in Austin did what was needed for his team to earn a win with plenty to grow on and look forward to not just this season, but in seasons to come.

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“It was fun for me,” Manning said. “Obviously there’s a lot to improve on and stuff that I want back, but it was a good first win I guess.”