Texas starting quarterback Quinn Ewers had to leave the Longhorns’ game against UTSA early in the second quarter with an abdominal strain, making way for redshirt freshman Arch Manning, who quickly made a splash in his second appearance of the season, scoring two quick touchdowns (one passing, one running).
Ewers, the Longhorns’ third-year quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate, left the game after a handoff to Tre Wisner with 12:19 left in the first half and is not expected to return. Ewers signaled to the sideline for help and fell to the turf as medical personnel arrived to examine him.
Ewers walked to the sideline under his own power for further evaluation and then went to the locker room with a towel over his head. ESPN reporter Quint Kessenich said Ewers spent about 15 minutes in the injury tent before a member of the medical staff spoke with head coach Steve Sarkisian. Shortly before the end of the first half, Ewers returned to the Longhorns’ sideline in civilian clothes.
Manning, the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore on his first play on Saturday for a 21-0 lead.
OKAYYY @ArchManning and @DeandreMooreJr 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/YVuTRjpd8v
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) 15 September 2024
UTSA responded with a 53-yard touchdown run by Robert Henry to cut the Longhorns’ lead to 21-7 with 11:39 left in the first half. However, on the first play of the next series, Manning broke free and scored a 67-yard touchdown that gave the Longhorns a 28-7 lead.
CAN’T TOUCH HIM 😮💨@ArchManning pic.twitter.com/65nR57qIR5
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) 15 September 2024
Manning finished the first half with 3 of 5 passes for 25 yards and the touchdown to Moore in addition to his touchdown run.
Ewers led the Longhorns to their first two wins of the season, including a dominant 31-12 victory at Michigan last week. As Texas’ starter, he has an 18-6 record and led the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff last season. Manning scored his first career touchdowns in a 52-0 victory over Colorado State on Aug. 31.
(Photo: Tim Warner/Getty Images)
