NCAA FOOTBALL
The bulk of football fandom wants to see the highly touted Arch Manning against the Buckeyes, but the Longhorns have a plan in place
As the Texas Longhorns gear up to face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff semifinals, the quarterback position remains firmly in the hands of Quinn Ewers. Despite the buzz surrounding Arch Manning, the celebrated freshman and scion of football royalty, head coach Steve Sarkisian continues to place his trust in the seasoned Ewers.
Ewers, now in his third year as Texas’ starting quarterback, has led the Longhorns to a 12-2 record this season. His performance has been marked by 3,189 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Notably, Ewers began his collegiate career at Ohio State before transferring to Texas, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this semifinal matchup.
Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited appearances. In nine games this season, he has completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. Additionally, he’s demonstrated mobility with 100 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. His most notable performance came against UTSA, where he accounted for five total touchdowns, including a 67-yard rushing score.
Despite Manning’s potential, Sarkisian has opted to maintain Ewers as the starter, citing his experience and leadership. Ewers’ familiarity with high-stakes games and his resilience under pressure have been pivotal in Texas’ successful season. Manning, while talented, is still acclimating to the collegiate level and has primarily been utilized in specific packages or as an injury replacement.
Looking ahead, Ewers is expected to declare for the NFL Draft after this season, which would pave the way for Manning to assume the starting role in 2025. Manning has expressed his commitment to the Longhorns, dispelling any transfer rumors and indicating his readiness to lead the team in the future.
NCAA
Sarkisian chasing more Longhorns glory
As the Longhorns prepare for their clash with the Buckeyes, the focus remains on the present challenge. Ewers’ experience and Manning’s readiness to step in if needed provide Texas with a robust quarterback situation, balancing seasoned leadership with promising talent.
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