AUSTIN, Texas — No. 1 Texas will start Arch Manning at quarterback Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe while regular starter Quinn Ewers continues to recover from a strained muscle in his abdomen, coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday.
It will be the first career start for Manning, a second year freshman. He relieved Ewers in the second quarter last week against UTSA, and passed for four touchdowns and ran for another in a 56-7 Texas victory.
Manning is the son of Cooper Manning, the grandson of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, and the nephew of Super Bowl-winning QBs Peyton and Eli Manning.
Ewers missed several games over the previous two seasons with shoulder and sternum injuries.
The Longhorns are No. 1 for the first time since 2008 and Saturday's matchup with the Warhawks is Texas' last game before the program starts its first SEC schedule against Mississippi State on Sept. 28.
FAST FACTS
Louisiana-Monroe (2-0) at No. 1 Texas (3-0), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+/SEC Network+)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Texas by 44 1/2.
Series record: Texas 2-0.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Texas is No. 1 for the first time since 2008 as the Longhorns play their final tune-up before starting the program's first SEC schedule. Manning could get his first career start if Ewers remains sidelined with an abdominal strain. It would seem like an easy week to get Ewers some extra rest. A Louisiana-Monroe upset would be a stunner.
KEY MATCHUP
Manning vs. Warhawks defensive coordinator Earnest Hill. Manning is talented but still inexperienced. Hill will likely draw up any number of ways to try to pressure him into mistakes. The same would be true for putting pressure and hits on Ewers if he makes a quick return from injury and plays.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Louisiana-Monroe: QB General Booty has thrown only 30 passes in two games and will have to be sharp against the Longhorns, who already have five interceptions. Booty originally signed with Oklahoma out of junior college, but played in only two games there before transferring in May to ULM.
Texas: Freshman RB Jerrick Gibson has emerged from an injury-depleted backfield to lead the Longhorns in rushing with 178 yards on 33 carries and two touchdowns. No other Texas back has more than 79 yards.
FACTS & FIGURES
Texas's last tour at No. 1 lasted three weeks in 2008. The quarterback of that team, Colt McCoy, will be inducted into the Texas Hall of Honor this week ... The Longhorns defense has allowed just two touchdowns and 19 total points this season. The Warhawks have allowed just two in their first two games ... Texas' five interceptions leads the SEC. Defensive end Ethan Burke returned one 30 yards for a touchdown .... This is ULM's first matchup against a No. 1 opponent.
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