Arch Manning, No. 1 Texas Blowout Louisiana-Monroe as CFB Fans Hype QB’s Potential

Julia StumbaughSeptember 22, 2024

David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Texas fans are excited that the Longhorns’ future involves quarterback Arch Manning.

The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions on Saturday night while leading the Longhorns to a 51-3 victory over Louisiana-Monroe in his first college start.

Texas is now off to a 4-0 start to the season thanks in part to Manning’s ability to fill in after an injury to starting quarterback Quinn Ewers.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportArch Manning matching up well with his fam in first career start 🔥🍿 pic.twitter.com/E6M3Pvd2tZ

Sara McDonald @SaramcvtArch Manning making the case that he is the future of Texas football

Ashes2Ashes @The_Ashes2AshesCan definitely see signs of how good Arch Manning can end up being, but also showed some of the young inexperience tonight. Looking forward to watching him progress in #Texas !

Shoes&Sports @Shoesnsports_You can see some inexperience from Texas QB Arch Manning, which is fine..

But the talent is undeniable!

Robert Griffin III @RGIIIYou are seeing why Arch Manning is a sensational prospect, but still has so much room to grow and develop. And guess what….THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. That’s what going to College is about. We have to give these young men the time to develop into greatness. 🤙🏾

Manning began his debut as a college starter by throwing a pick on the Longhorns’ first possession of the game.

ULM Football @ULM_FB.@CarlFauntroy secures the pick!

📺 ESPN+ / SEC Network+ pic.twitter.com/oaNSlBHGp1

The freshman quarterback responded by leading Texas on a scoring drive during the next possession, which was highlighted by his 56-yard pass to Bond.

SportsCenter @SportsCenterARCH MANNING RESPONDS AFTER HIS INT 🔥

A 56-yard DIME right to the hands of Isaiah Bond 😤 pic.twitter.com/mZ1aDgpLzT

DISC | Flamez. @FlamezRLArch Manning’s deep ball is something else…. WOW

Jason Kinander @JasonKinanderArch Manning’s deep ball is NFL grade

Manning threw his first touchdown of the night with a short pass to Jaydon Blue in the first quarter that put Texas up by 14 points.

Texas Football @TexasFootball1️⃣6️⃣ to 2️⃣3️⃣@ArchManning @Jaydonblue23 pic.twitter.com/pTxAJ4gXVo

Manning followed that up with another 17-yard throw to Ryan Wingo on the following Longhorns possession in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

Texas Football @TexasFootballThe future is looking bright ✨@ArchManning @_Ryanwingo1 pic.twitter.com/sTSA1vM2SG

Backup Trey Owens took over in the fourth quarter as Manning finished the night with 258 yards on 15-of-29 passing.

The Longhorns’ defense meanwhile held LA-Monroe starter General Booty to 8-of-19 passing for 42 yards and an interception before he was pulled in the third quarter.

Manning was starting in place of Ewers, who suffered an oblique injury during the Longhorn’s Week 3 win over UTSA.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel recently reported that Ewers is expected to return by Week 7 for Texas’ rivalry game against Oklahoma.

Manning may be the Longhorns’ future, but fans see the impending return of Ewers as key to the Texas’ hopes of a ticket to the CFP this winter.

CTESPN @DifferentRanksArch Manning is QB1 for the future but not right now https://t.co/lXd5tXbzw3

Tarik D. LaCour @heirofdennettArch Manning is an elite talent. Throws a gorgeous deep ball, heck of an athlete, and has a very good arm.

But his decision making and pocket presence are no where near where Quinn Ewers is.

Arch will be elite one day. But if Texas wants to win the national title, we need Ewers

Anwar Richardson @AnwarRichardsonTexas QB Arch Manning finished with 15 of 29 completions, 258 passing yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, and a 135.4 passer rating in his first start. Good reps and learning opportunities for him until Quinn Ewers returns. Ewers is essential for a championship run.

Cravey @PseudoAdultArch Manning is going to be a very good quarterback, but tonight shows why Quinn Ewers is the rightful starter.#HookEm

Manning headed into Saturday’s game with 318 yards and five touchdowns on 14-of-18 passing in two appearances as a backup to Ewers.

If Ewers remains sidelined, the freshman quarterback could get the nod from head coach Steve Sarkisian for a second start next Saturday at home as SEC play begins against Mississippi State.