When Texas Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers went down with an injury during last week’s game that will keep him out of this week’s game against the BYU Cougars, many thought that this might be a chance for highly-touted five-star quarterback Arch Manning to make his first start – but that’s not going to happen.
Even though Arch Manning got first-team reps during practice this week, Texas Longhorns head coach announced that redshirt freshman quarterback Maalik Murphy would get the start in place of Quinn Ewers this week instead of Arch Manning. Sarkisian also said that he hasn’t decided whether or not Manning will play in the game, even though he isn’t starting.
“Maalik’s going to start the game and go play in this game,” Sarkisian announced on Thursday afternoon. “I haven’t made a decision if I want to get Arch in there just to get him in there or not, but we have discussed that some because I do think there’s some valuable experience for him in that. But, I have to make that’s in the best interest of the team.”
It’s brutal and disappointing news for Manning and anyone who was hoping to see the five-star freshman start this week’s game. And more than that, it indicates that Murphy is likely ahead of Manning in any future quarterback battle, as well.
