Arch Manning keeps No. 1 Texas on track and defeats UL Monroe

AUSTIN, Texas – Arch Manning threw for 258 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in his first career start at Texas, filling in for injured starter Quinn Ewers and leading a 51-3 victory over UL Monroe that lifted the No. 1 Longhorns to 4-0.

After throwing an interception on his first possession, Manning got going again and Texas scored touchdowns on six of its 10 drives and led 44-3 when he left the game early in the fourth quarter. The redshirt freshman completed 15 of his 29 pass attempts.

In the Longhorns' first game as the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 since 2008, Manning got plenty of help. Running back Jaydon Blue rushed for 124 yards and four total touchdowns, and the Texas defense held General Booty and the Warhawks (2-1) to 2.2 yards per play for a total of 111 yards.

Ewers left Texas' 56-7 victory over UTSA last week after suffering an oblique strain. His status will be assessed on a day-to-day basis, and he could potentially return for the Longhorns' SEC debut against Mississippi State next week.

Manning was named SEC Freshman of the Week after rushing for 276 yards and five touchdowns against UTSA in Ewers' absence. Against ULM, he completed eight passes of 15 or more yards, including a 56-yard pass to Isaiah Bond and a 46-yard pass to Matthew Golden.

After their first SEC conference game at home against Mississippi State, the Longhorns have an off week, followed by showdowns with No. 15 Oklahoma and No. 2 Georgia in back-to-back weeks.