In a dominant performance, the top-ranked Longhorns cruised to a 51-3 victory over UL Monroe, improving their record to 4-0. Redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning made his first career start, throwing for 258 yards and two touchdowns, despite two interceptions. Manning’s debut was marked by a few early jitters, but he quickly settled in, leading his team to scores on six of his 10 drives.
Manning’s performance was complemented by a strong running game, as Jaydon Blue rushed for 124 yards and scored four total touchdowns. The Longhorns’ defense was equally impressive, holding the Warhawks to a mere 111 total yards on 2.2 yards per play.
Coach Steve Sarkisian praised Manning’s preparation and work ethic, acknowledging that there were lessons to be learned from the game. Sarkisian noted that the game plan called for Manning to take deep shots against ULM’s defense, which resulted in eight passes of 15 or more yards.
Manning credited his teammates for making plays and elevating his comfort level. “Having so many playmakers around you, it definitely brings up the comfort level for me,” he said. “We got a bunch of different receivers catch balls tonight. Just getting them in space and having them make plays is huge.”
The Longhorns’ starting quarterback, Quinn Ewers, is expected to return soon from an oblique strain, but Manning’s performance has given the team confidence in its depth at the position. With a bye week ahead, followed by showdowns with top-ranked opponents, the Longhorns are poised to make a strong push in the SEC.
Coach Sarkisian expressed satisfaction with his team’s progress, but emphasized that there is still much work to be done. “I’m pleased with where we’re at, but it’s like everything I just told the team: The mission is far from over,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and a lot of great games ahead of us.”
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