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Arch Manning makes 2024 debut against Colorado State, throws first career touchdown

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh08/31/24griffin_mcveigh
Texas QB Arch Manning
© Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

We had to wait until the final game of the 2023 regular season to see Arch Manning in action. A former Five-Star Plus+ prospect, Manning might be the most discussed backup quarterback in all of college football. He is still backing up Quinn Ewers but should have more opportunities to contribute at Texas this season.

Steve Sarkisian wasted no time getting Manning in action this year, getting him on the field in the opener against Colorado State. With Texas up 38-0 late in the third quarter, Sarkisian decided to pull Ewers from the game and get Manning a few reps.

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There was a tease about Manning possibly playing from Sarkisian. He was asked about the possibility during his media availability earlier in the week. No direct answer was given, with the head coach responding “We’ll find out.”

Well, we did find out. Manning is getting play time for just the third time in his career. And after just a few plays, the special ability possessed by Manning was being shown.

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The drive began with Manning connecting with Johntay Cook for a long completion, getting Texas in the red area. Just a few plays later, Manning rolled out to his right before finding Oregon State transfer Silas Bolden for a touchdown. It’s the first of Manning’s career and one folks in Austin will remember for a long time.

It’s not too often you see somebody with Manning’s status stick around and wait their turn to be the starting quarterback, wanting to get on the field as soon as possible. But Manning coming back is something Sarkisian believes is important for his development, getting him prepared for the NFL.

“I’m a little bit old school on some of this stuff,” Sarkisian said via the All Facts No Brakes podcast. “I understand in this day and age of recruiting and social media, everybody wants to be the five-star and come in right away and have instant impact.

“But I’m a little bit of the belief that there’s a developmental side to our game. So that when you do play, you play great football, and that you have longevity in your career when you do play in the NFL because you are prepared for that time.”