Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning escaped a familiar stigma on Saturday.
Manning scored a touchdown on the longest play of his college career when he went on a 67-yard run, extending Texas' lead over UTSA.
It was Manning's second touchdown in three offensive plays. Manning entered the game off the bench after Texas starter Quinn Ewers left due to injury. Ewers' status is unclear.
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On Manning's first play, he connected with wide receiver DeAndre Moore for a touchdown that put Texas up 21-0.
UTSA responded with a 53-yard touchdown run by Robert Henry just two plays into its next possession to cut the lead to 21-7. But Manning responded just as quickly.
The Longhorns' next drive began with an eight-yard run by running back Quintrevion Wisner. On the next play, Manning ripped off a 67-yard run to extend the lead to 28-7 at halftime.
Manning's long career was an unfamiliar sight to fans accustomed to watching his two uncles, former NFL stars Peyton Manning and Eli Manning.
Peyton and Eli were known for being old-fashioned pocket passers who rarely ran. Both former quarterbacks were often joked about for their lack of speed, especially in later stages of their careers.
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Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns fakes a handoff to Quintrevion Wisner in the second quarter against the UTSA Roadrunners at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
But Arch has shown that he brings a different element.
Manning put together a similar sequence when he entered a game for Ewers during a blowout against Colorado State on Aug. 31. He completed 5 of 6 passes for 95 yards with his first touchdown pass and first rushing score coming on the next drive. Texas won 52-0.
The five-star recruit out of Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans saw action in just two games for the Longhorns last season with Ewers as the team's starter.
Ewers returned as a starter for the team this year under coach Steve Sarkisian after a College Football Playoff loss to Washington last season. And he was productive in Saturday's win, completing 20 of 27 passes for 260 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Quinn Ewers (3) of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines on Sept. 7, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Manning was the Longhorns' backup quarterback last season, but with Maalik Murphy's transfer to Duke, Manning is now the second backup behind Ewers.
If Ewers' injury keeps him sidelined for a significant period of time, Manning could be in position to make his first start at the college level.
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