Texas Quarterback Shuffle
In a stunning turn of events, top-ranked Texas found itself struggling on home turf against fifth-ranked Georgia. With his team trailing 20-0, Coach Steve Sarkisian made the bold decision to bench quarterback Quinn Ewers in favor of Arch Manning.
A Change of Pace
Manning entered the game with just under five minutes remaining in the first half, but his initial drives were less than impressive. His first outing ended in a punt, while his second attempt resulted in a fumble while trying to pass, gifting Georgia a field goal and a 23-0 lead at halftime.
Ewers’ First-Half Struggles
Prior to being benched, Ewers had struggled to cope with Georgia’s relentless pass rush. He faced pressure on six of his 16 dropbacks, failing to complete a single pass on those plays and taking three sacks. Overall, Ewers’ first-half stats were dismal, with just six completions from 12 attempts for a paltry 17 yards and an interception.
A Second-Half Revival
However, Ewers’ fortunes changed dramatically in the second half. After being reinstated as starter, he led Texas on a 55-yard drive that culminated in a 2-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond. A successful two-point conversion followed, narrowing the deficit to 23-8 and giving the Longhorns a glimmer of hope.
Sarkisian’s Gamble
While the decision to bench Ewers may have seemed drastic, it was a calculated risk by Coach Sarkisian. By giving Manning a chance to spark the offense, Sarkisian was attempting to inject some much-needed momentum into his team’s faltering attack. Although the move ultimately didn’t yield the desired results, it demonstrated Sarkisian’s willingness to think outside the box and try new approaches.
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