After Quinn Ewers' injury, a star was born in Texas backup Arch Manning | Golden
Arch Manning didn’t take the field after stepping off a fiery chariot of white Clydesdales.
It just felt that way.
He’s a rock star.
Who has game.
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The moment QB1 Quinn Ewers went down with just under 13 minutes remaining in the second quarter Saturday, the 100,000-plus at Royal-Memorial Stadium went through a 10-second swing of emotions that only one fan base in America can experience.
They were legitimately sad to see Ewers walking to the medical tent with a towel draped over his head, but they also couldn’t help but be excited after Manning produced touchdowns on two of his first three plays — a 19-yard pass to DeAndre Moore Jr. and a 67-yard run that started with an ankle-breaking juke. That's some kind of run coming from a human being who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 225 pounds.
Manning finished 9-of-12 for 223 yards in the 56-7 win over UTSA with four touchdowns in the passing department while adding another 53 on the ground with the aforementioned TD sprint.
There just aren’t many programs that have two solid starting options at the most important position in all of sports, but the Horns have a wealth of riches at quarterback in Ewers, Manning and freshman Trey Owens, who played most of the fourth quarter.
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It’s unfortunate that Ewers is hurt, but the game doesn’t wait for anybody and Manning, to his credit, was ready when his number was called.
"Ready" may be an understatement.
He completed six of his first nine passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns and the crowd went wild, including some fan in the north end zone who had his student ID printed on a giant beach towel.
Yes, young Manning doesn’t have big-time experience, but no one would dispute the fact that he has the measurables and intangibles of a guy who can play a long time at the next level, just like uncles Peyton and Eli.
For those who are invoking the Wally Pip story — kids, Google it or ask Granddad — that may be premature. Ewers was playing as well as any quarterback in the country before he got hurt. Even with Manning’s explosive appearance, there’s a lot of football to be played, and it wouldn’t be smart to assume we never hear from Ewers again.
The Longhorns (3-0) will still be a heavy favorite to win over Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State before entering their bye week. Assuming Ewers' ab issue isn’t something worse, that’s three weeks to get ready for that Oklahoma-Georgia double.
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And if Ewers doesn’t make it back, the Horns appear to be in some really good hands.
Manning is young, but he’s damn good.
The eyes ... they don't lie.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Arch Manning shows Texas is in good hands no matter Quinn Ewers injury
