Texas survived Vanderbilt’s best effort in Week 9, entering its second bye week with a 7-1 record and SEC title hopes still very much alive. The Longhorns are gearing up for a crucial matchup against Florida, where they are expected to be heavy favorites. This game could be pivotal in their quest for the conference title, especially with upcoming contests against Arkansas and Kentucky. However, the rivalry showdown with Texas A&M in College Station during rivalry week looms as a potentially tougher test.
With Florida’s quarterback situation uncertain due to injuries, Texas cruised past the Gators to improve to 8-1, even without Arch Manning in the starting role. The Longhorns showcased their offensive prowess, and fans are eager to see how they will perform in the final stretch of the season.
Why didn’t Arch Manning start today?
Arch Manning remains No. 2 on Texas’ depth chart, a position he is likely to hold for the foreseeable future. Quinn Ewers had a standout performance in the 49-17 victory against Florida, solidifying his starting role. Ewers completed 19 of 27 passes for an impressive 333 yards and five touchdowns, demonstrating why he has the confidence of head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Sarkisian had already publicly backed Ewers before this dominant display, stating, “If he plays like that for the rest of the year, we’re going to be okay. We’re going to be just fine.” Despite some speculation about Ewers potentially losing his starting job after Manning’s brief appearance in the loss to Georgia three weeks ago, the coaching staff appears firmly in Ewers’ corner. This means Manning will continue to serve as a backup, at least for now.
Did Arch Manning play today?
Yes, Arch Manning did see the field against Florida, but only after Ewers had already established a commanding lead. Ewers was clinical in the pocket, throwing for four first-half touchdowns and leading Texas to a 42-3 advantage before Manning entered the game with 7:08 left in the third quarter.
Manning’s first two snaps went to running back Jaydon Blue, but a holding penalty negated the first run. The backup quarterback then attempted his first pass, targeting Isaiah Bond, but couldn’t connect. He ended the game with 3-of-6 passing for 19 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions. It was a brief outing, but it showcased Manning’s potential, even if he didn’t have the opportunity to shine.
Quinn Ewers stats today
| CMP-ATT | CMP% | YDS | AVG | TD | INT | LNG | RTG |
| 19-27 | 70.4 | 333 | 12.3 | 5 | 0 | 50 | 235.1 |
Ewers’ performance was nothing short of spectacular. He threw for four touchdowns in the first half alone, connecting with Matthew Golden twice, as well as hitting tight end Gunnar Helm and running back Quintrevion Wisner for scores. His scoring passes accounted for 138 of his total yards, with the longest being a 50-yard touchdown on a screen pass to Wisner.
Ewers’ ability to dissect the Florida defense was evident, and he left the game with a comfortable lead, allowing Manning to gain some valuable experience.
Texas QB depth chart
As it stands, Quinn Ewers is still the top quarterback on Texas’ depth chart, with Arch Manning firmly in the backup role. Manning has shown flashes of brilliance in limited action this season, completing 69 percent of his passes for 920 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. His mobility adds another dimension to his game, but for now, Texas is opting for Ewers’ experience as they navigate the crucial final stretch of the season.
Behind Manning is Trey Owens, a four-star true freshman who ranked as the No. 16 quarterback in the high school class of 2024. Given the current depth chart, Owens is unlikely to see any playing time this season and will have the opportunity to redshirt, preparing for a potential future role.
As the Longhorns look ahead to their upcoming games, the quarterback situation will be closely monitored. Will Ewers continue to dominate, or will Manning get more chances to showcase his skills? One thing is for sure: the excitement is palpable as Texas aims for an SEC title and a shot at the College Football Playoff. The next few weeks will be crucial, and fans can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
