Arch Manning’s first game as Texas’ starting quarterback got off to a rocky start.
But it didn’t last long
Manning was picked off by UL-Monroe’s Carl Fauntroy on the first possession of Saturday night’s game at Darrel K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
But, as expected, Manning turned it on from there.
On the next drive, the redshirt freshman engineered a seven-play, 77-yard drive to give the Longhorns a 7-0 lead, which was highlighted by a 56-yard pass to Isaiah Bond and capped off by a Jaydon Blue one-yard run.
Arch Manning getting first Texas start after electric fill-in performance
Manning was just getting started.
After Texas’ defense provided Manning with a short field after an interception, he went back to work, finishing off a four-play, 13-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Blue to give the Longhorns a 14-0 lead.
After UL-Monroe was forced to punt, Manning connected with star freshman receiver Ryan Wingo for a 17-yard touchdown pass, which capped off a six-play, 73-yard drive and extended Texas’ first-quarter lead to 21-0.