On Saturday night, in a matter of minutes, the only backup quarterback listed in most sportsbooks’ Heisman Trophy odds rose to among the favorites.
Texas backup QB Arch Manning began Saturday at 150-1 to win the Heisman Trophy at ESPN BET. By halftime of the Longhorns’ game against UTSA , Manning’s odds had moved to 16-1.
Manning took over for starter Quinn Ewers , who suffered an abdominal strain in the second quarter. Ewers had been the consensus Heisman favorite entering the weekend, but now his odds (18-1 as of Sunday at ESPN BET) are longer than his backup’s.
Manning passed for 223 yards and accounted for five touchdowns. He threw a touchdown pass on his first attempt after replacing Ewers and also scored on an impressive 67-yard run.
A spokesperson for ESPN BET said 150-1 odds were appropriate for Manning before Ewers’ injury.
“Once Ewers went down, customers were keen to get on board with Arch, and his price was quickly moved accordingly for a player throwing touchdowns for the new No. 1 team in the country,” the spokesperson said in an email. “As Ewers’ status remains somewhat up in the air, we expect the Arch Manning hype to continue for at least one more week.”