Arch Manning, the highly touted rookie quarhen terback with a famous NFL pedigree, made a memorable impression during mop-up duty in No. 4 Texas’ dominant 52-0 win over Colorado State. Manning, the son of Cooper Manning, grandson of great quarterback Archie Manning, and nephew of Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli Manning, demonstrated the potential that has made him one of the nation’s most anticipated prospects.
Despite being a backup to primary quarterback Quinn Ewers, Manning’s every move on the field enthralled the Longhorns’ fan base. Manning instantly displayed his promise as Texas led 38-0 in the third quarter. His first play was a stunning 40-yard pass to Johntay Cook II, followed by
Silas Bolden received a well-executed 5-yard touchdown pass. Manning’s quick thinking and athleticism were on full display as he avoided a pass pressure and, just as he appeared to be about to run, effortlessly shoveled the ball to Bolden for the touchdown.
Manning didn’t stop there; he finished with a 1-yard touchdown run, marking Texas’ final score with 10 minutes remaining on the clock. His performance not only demonstrated his readiness, but also his potential relevance in Texas’ first season in the Southeastern Conference, particularly given Ewers’ injury history over the previous two seasons.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian commended Manning’s innate instincts, specifically his vision and ability to identify open players under duress. While Sarkisian acknowledged Manning’s tendency to be overly meticulous in his approach, he was impressed by the freshman’s instinctive play, which was evident in this game. As Manning continues to grow, his presence could be essential to Texas as they negotiate their difficult schedule in The SEC.
