Backup quarterback Arch Manning took center stage for the No. 2 Texas Longhorns after starter Quinn Ewers left with an oblique strain in Saturday’s 56-7 blowout win over UTSA. Manning, a highly-touted redshirt freshman, did not disappoint, throwing for 223 yards and four touchdowns while adding a 67-yard rushing score in his most extensive college action yet.
Ewers exited in the second quarter after a non-contact injury, leaving Manning to run the Longhorns' offense. The young quarterback delivered immediately, connecting with DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 19-yard touchdown on his first snap. Just moments later, Manning showcased his speed with a 67-yard zone-read rushing touchdown, the longest by a Texas quarterback since Vince Young in 2005.
Manning’s impact wasn’t just on the scoreboard; it reverberated in the betting markets as well. Before Week 3, Manning’s Heisman Trophy odds were a longshot at +10000 according to BetMGM. After his breakout performance, those odds skyrocketed to +1500, placing him 7th among Heisman candidates. While the jump reflects the hype surrounding Manning, it’s worth noting that he still trails several other quarterbacks in the race, including Miami’s Cam Ward, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava and Georgia’s Carson Beck.
Ewers entered Week 3 as the favorite to win the Heisman, but his injury has shaken up the race, with Ward overtaking him as the new frontrunner. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has not confirmed how long Ewers will be out, but it’s likely Manning will start in Texas’ upcoming games against UL Monroe and Mississippi State, giving Ewers time to recover before their pivotal rivalry game against Oklahoma on October 12.
If Manning delivers another strong performance against UL Monroe, his Heisman odds could shift even further, making him an intriguing player to watch in both the betting markets and on the field. Since the aforementioned QB’s will all have a full season of production to rely on, they’re much more viable in the market than Manning, despite his name.
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