Redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning will make his first collegiate start on Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian announced at Thursday’s media press conference. 

Manning will step in for junior quarterback Quinn Ewers, who injured his oblique early in the second quarter of last week’s game against UTSA. Sarkisian said that Ewers “has made great strides” since then, but chose to give him another week of rest for the longevity of the season. 

“Getting him possibly one more week healthier for the long term, I think, (will be) good for us,” Sarkisian said. 

The former No. 1 overall player in the 2023 class left no shortages in the Longhorns’ electric offense. On his first play, Manning connected with sophomore wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 19-yard score and scrambled for a 67-yard touchdown a couple of drives later. He ended the night completing 9 of 12 passes for 223 yards in the 56-7 win. 

Manning also played in mop-up duty in Texas’ 52-0 season opener win against Colorado State, totaling 95 yards on 5-of-6 passing and one touchdown. 

“Arch (Manning) is more than capable, as I think we all know,” Sarkisian said. “He’s got a lot of confidence from his teammates.” 

Manning’s performance helped lift Texas to the top ranking in the latest edition of the AP Poll for the first time since the 2008 season. The Longhorns are currently 44.5-point favorites against the 2-0 ULM, which will kickoff at 7 p.m. Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. 

There is still no word on a return date for Ewers, who is assumed to take his spot back in the first unit. Texas opens its inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference next week against Mississippi State. 

Despite the injury to the face of the team with Ewers out, Sarkisian said Manning is equipped for the starting role. 

“(It’s a) different challenge for him, but I know that he’ll be more than ready to go out and play football at a high level for us,” Sarkisian said.