The Athletic College Football
What we learned from Manning's first start
Texas redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning’s highly anticipated starting debut had its share of ups and downs, but the Longhorns dominated overmatched Louisiana-Monroe 51-3 on Saturday night before 102,850 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Manning, the son of Cooper Manning, nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning and grandson of Archie Manning, finished 15 of 29 passing for 258 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Manning started on Saturday night in place of injured starter Quinn Ewers, who is recovering from a strained oblique suffered last week in a win against UTSA.
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How Manning navigated a ‘C-plus’ night
AUSTIN, Texas — Before he made his first media appearance as a Texas Longhorn last December, quarterback Arch Manning got some advice from members of his famous family.
The tip that most stood out came from his grandfather, College Football Hall of Famer and longtime New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning, who told him “less is best” when answering questions from reporters.
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Final Arch thoughts
It was hardly perfect, but Arch Manning absolutely looked comfortable more than he didn’t during his first collegiate start Saturday night for Texas against Louisiana-Monroe (he finished 15-of-29 for 258 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions).
Manning looked firmly in control of the offense, wasn’t confused or overwhelmed by any sort of checks or changes and kept things moving without issue. Texas put Manning in several play-action situations, as the big-armed redshirt freshman continues to throw a pretty deep ball. Manning, like a lot of quarterbacks his age, still defaults at the deepest throw in the concept. He threw one into multiple defenders early and got one picked. He threw one into two more a little bit later and nearly completed it. With more time on task comes more consistent comfort, which should clean up most of the hiccups Manning’s game currently shows.
He’s still a little late with his general pocket processing, especially if the coverage isn’t something he was anticipating or a route gets thrown off-kilter. A lot of that is timing, though, and Manning’s a young backup – so that’s understandable. In general, this will go in the books as a terrific experience for Manning as he was able to put both great throws and correctable mistakes on tape. He’ll gain confidence and learn a ton at the same time.
Some lessons to be learned for Manning
This will likely be a good bit of teaching tape for Steve Sarkisian to use for Arch Manning. When Manning has been on, he’s been excellent. But his youth has shown several times tonight, usually when forcing throws he shouldn’t. But as the Longhorns sit with a commanding lead early in the fourth quarter and Manning with more than 250 yards and two touchdowns, it has been a solid, if somewhat unspectacular night.
Manning’s potential seems limitless given his physical skill, but there’s a lot of room for growth.
Longhorns add to lead
Jaydon Blue makes it 45-3 with a 1-yard touchdown run. Arch Manning got it going a little bit on that drive and has completed 15-of-29 passes for 258 yards.
That might be it for Arch's night.
End of the third quarter
Slow quarter for Arch Manning, and yes, he's still in the game. Manning is 15-of-29 for 258 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions through three quarters.
Three-and-out for Texas
Quick series and punt for Texas. Arch Manning misses both of his throws on the series.
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Longhorns add to lead
Texas leads 35-3. Arch Manning had no passes on the drive. He's still 11-of-21 for 214 yards.
Some good and bad in the first half
It has been a mix of extremes in the first half for Arch Manning vs. Louisiana-Monroe. As has been the case all season, Manning has shown outstanding touch on his deep throws and has been generally accurate when kept clean with an open first read in the progression. When things have gotten choppy – be it with pressure or the secondary forcing Manning to process a concept – Manning has had some hiccups. His first interception was both the result of not feeling pressure and staring down his first read far too long. The second, just before halftime, was about being late between reads. He was late coming off his first route, late with the ball on the slant. The throw sailed high and was intercepted on a deflection.
The absolute best part about Steve Sarkisian’s offense is that talented passers like Manning – and Quinn Ewers, as we’ve seen – have nowhere to hide after a mistake. There is no down-shift here. Manning is going to have to throw his way through mistakes and keep his confidence up. We’ll see how Manning bounces back.
Another interception for Arch
Arch Manning has his second interception of the night. He was picked off by Wydett Williams Jr. late in the first half. Manning has completed 11-of-21 passes for 214 yards.
Longhorns lead 28-0
Jaydon Blue's 2-yard TD run stretches Texas' lead to 28-0. Arch Manning is 11-of-18 for 214 yards with two touchdowns.
Manning accurate on deep ball
One thing is clear: Arch Manning’s deep ball is accurate and pretty. He has uncorked several downfield passes tonight, and most have them have been on target. Texas’ speed at receiver makes this offense dangerous and hard to deal with for opposing secondaries if the defensive front doesn’t get pressure.
ULM was able to pressure Manning early tonight but hasn’t hit him as much as the first half has progressed.
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Another chunk play
Arch Manning hits Matthew Golden for 46 yards. Manning now has 184 yards passing, early in the second quarter.
Spreading the wealth
Arch Manning has completed eight passes to seven receivers so far. Ryan Wingo has two catches for 42 yards.
Isaiah Bond leads in yards with one catch for 56 yards.
Second TD pass
Arch Manning's second TD pass of the night covers 17 yards to Ryan Wingo. Texas leads 21-0 in the first quarter.
Manning is 8-of-12 for 138 yards.
Big pass to Wingo
Manning hits Ryan Wingo for 25 yards to get the Longhorns' drive going.
TD pass for Manning
Manning's first touchdown pass of the night goes to Jaydon Blue for 3 yards. The Longhorns lead 14-0.
Manning is 5-for-8 for 89 yards.
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Where can Manning improve?
The biggest areas of improvement for Arch Manning right now are general pocket awareness and being able to move quickly through his progressions when his first read is taken away. The first-quarter interception he threw against Louisiana-Monroe was an example of both. Manning took an unnecessary hit because he stared down a read far too long, rather than either moving off that receiver and onto his No. 2, or scrambling. Moreover, he forced a throw into three defenders. Everything about Manning's pass mechanics -- from his feet to his release -- is ahead of his years. The basics of playing quarterback against live bullets, though? Still a work in progress, as expected.
Longhorns take the lead
Texas gets on the board on a 1-yard run by Jaydon Blue.
Manning is 3-for-5 for 78 yards.
Deep ball to Bond
Arch Manning completes a 56-yarder to Isaiah Bond, and the Longhorns are in the red zone.