Key Takeaways: UTSA
Arch Manning delivered a huge game for Texas after starting QB Quinn Ewers left the game with an injury Saturday. Photo: Texas Athletics
So, how should we feel about this Texas team coming out of week 3?
We are one quarter of the way into the 2024 (regular) season. The Longhorns are 3-0 which is exactly where every team wants to be at this stage. Not only that, Texas has risen to #1 in the AP Poll for the first time since 2008!! Dominant in every game thus far, including the then-top 10 matchup turned snoozer in Ann Arbor. I say, we should feel pretty DAMN GOOD!!
That being said, there were obviously some developments in the UTSA game, and I’ll include my key takeaways from that game here.
Arch Manning is the future of Texas football
Arch Manning celebrates following a touchdown pass against the Roadrunners. Photo: Burnt Orange Nation
First of all, the biggest news is that Quinn Ewers is going to be just fine. His status will be week-to-week after suffering an abdominal strain and exiting the game in the early 2nd quarter. All reports are that he should be out 1-3 weeks - and even then, if he really needed to play he could. I believe he’ll be back either for the SEC opener with Mississippi State, or after the bye week for Red River. We’re going to need 3’s veteran leadership this season.
Now then - Archibald Charles Manning. It’s clear now, the kid is an absolute STUD of a quarterback. Finishing the game 9/12 passing for 223 yards and 4 TDs, Arch posted a 99.9 QBR!! Factored into that number is his eye-opening 67-yard rushing TD that led to the many references about what his uncles could never do. #16 brings a dynamic element to this Texas offense that has to have fans in burnt orange excited about the future.
I’m here to tell you that Arch Manning is the future of this team. No, not the present. Quinn Ewers will be the starting quarterback for Texas in 2024 when healthy, and deservedly so. All you need to know is how he handled himself in the Big House. That isn’t to say that Arch won’t be needed this year when called upon, such as was the case Saturday night. And he showed that he can lead the Longhorns offense to success through explosive plays both on the ground and through the air. 2025 should be a FUN one with Manning at the helm after a further year of development.
Arch, you got next!
2. Impact freshmen are everywhere for the Horns
Colin Simmons celebrates his second sack of the season. Photo: Aaron E. Martinez, Austin American-Statesman
Youths!
The contributions from true freshmen on this Texas team are staggering when you start to think about it. Colin Simmons, Ryan Wingo, Jerrick Gibson, Ty’Anthony Smith, and Ryan Niblett are just a few of the names we’re hearing multiple times on Saturdays. All of whom got in on the action against UTSA - several in a big way. Wingo led the team with 127 receiving yards on just 3 catches, including a breakaway 75-yard touchdown delivered by Manning. He has now led the team in receiving in 2 games and in rushing in the other one - how about that for your first 3 games of college football.
Colin Simmons registered a sack as part of a 6-tackle night and has seen his role steadily increase as the season has started to go on. This has whiffs of 2023 with Anthony Hill becoming a bonafide star early in his collegiate career. The future is incredibly bright for Simmons if he continues on this pace.
Jerrick Gibson led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 75 yards, and has already shown power, vision, patience, and consistency in the run game. Pretty heady stuff for a guy taking on a much larger role than he likely anticipated with the injuries to the Texas RB room. There’s a real possibility Gibson can become a feature back as the season goes on.
The youth movement shows the strength of recruiting right now at The University of Texas, and speaks volumes to the depth on the current roster. It is likely only going to continue. Go Sark Go!!
3. The Texas Longhorns are the most complete team in the nation
With one more week to go before conference play, the ride is only just beginning. Photo: Aaron E. Martinez, Austin American-Statesman
Homerism at its finest, am I right?
In all seriousness, after the way Georgia looked against Kentucky late Saturday night - I came away truly believing this. Texas has put together a complete roster, on full display offensively with the depth at quarterback, running back, and receiver shining through. It’s an absolute offensive juggernaut, having scored 46 points per game thus far, good for 10th in the nation. Defensively, the Horns have allowed just 2 touchdowns through 3 games and have never really been threatened by an opposing offense. This defense is generating turnovers, the secondary looks much improved, there’s a great rotation of guys up front in the interior, and they look great on 3rd and 4th downs.
All of that is to say, there’s no real glaring weakness on this team as of now and there isn’t another team in college football that can say that when you combine it with the quality of non-conference win with the Michigan game.
It’s not crazy to say this is the best Texas team in about 15 years. Party like it’s 2008.
Final score: 56-7 Texas
Hook ‘em
