- Manning completed only 2/5 passes for 30 yards and had little impact on the win
- He can redshirt this season as long as he plays in fewer than three more games
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Texas Longhorns freshman quarterback Arch Manning finally made his long-awaited NCAA debut Friday night during a 57-7 victory over hated rival Texas Tech.
There was a huge clamor from fans to see the 18-year-old – the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli, and the grandson of Archie – and they finally got their chance in the third quarter in Austin, Texas.
In the game, the No. 7 Longhorns not only won the traveling trophy awarded to the winner of the rivalry game, but also secured a berth in the Big 12 championship game.
After checking in during garbage time to relieve starting quarterback and highly touted NFL prospect Quinn Ewers, Manning completed two of five passes for just 30 yards.
He also recorded three carries for just seven yards. Before taking his first photo, Manning was forced to gesture to the crowd to quiet down; so loud was their cheer for his coming.
The fans in attendance were excited to get their first taste of the true freshman after there were serious questions about whether or not he would step foot on the field this season after being named the third QB behind Ewers and fellow freshman Maalik Murphy was posted.
Texas Longhorns freshman quarterback Arch Manning made his college debut on Friday
Manning completed just two of five passes for 30 yards and had little impact during the blowout
Murphy had filled in for Ewers in place of Manning several times this season, both on mop-up duty and when Ewers was dealing with a shoulder injury.
Previously, this Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian had essentially declared that Murphy was the safer option at QB, entrenching himself in the backup role.
‘[Murphy]There have always been highlight plays, but there have also been plays that haven’t been such a highlight in the care of football,” Sarkisian said against Rice after the season opener.
‘I think he has done a much better job. Obviously, I think we got a glimpse of some of the throws he was able to make in that ballgame last week.”
Going into the season, many had wondered if Manning would use his freshman year as a redshirt season, with some associated with the program anticipating exactly that during the offseason.
The freshman is the cousin of legendary NFL quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning
The Longhorns won in style on Friday night and advanced to the Big 12 Championship game
“I really feel like Arch has a great opportunity,” legendary Longhorns quarterback Vince Young told Johnson on ESPN’s First Take.
“One of the things I’m hearing is he’s going to redshirt. That will help you a lot so that you understand how to travel with the team. Feel the feeling of the fans, the university.”
Recent changes to the NCAA redshirt rule could still allow Manning to go that route and retain a year of eligibility even if he has played — if he doesn’t appear in three more games this season.