How Arch Manning played in first career start for Texas Longhorns: Stats, highlights from two-TD, two-INT game

Texas quarterback Arch Manning put together a solid performance in his first career start, a 51-3 win over ULM at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium. Manning overcame an early interception to post a few major highlights in the win. 

After a turnover on his first drive, Manning immediately went back down the field with a 58-yard connection to wide receiver Isaiah Bond. In other plays, Manning found Blue for a three-yard touchdown and hit freshman receiver Ryan Wingo for a 17-yard breaking route in the end zone for a touchdown. He also connected with Matthew Golden for a 46-yard gain and Wingo for another 25-yarder. 

However, Manning did cool down in the second half. At one point, Manning whiffed on six straight passes, including an interception off the hands of Blue. His best sequence was likely the period right after his initial interception, but he finished the game completing 15-of-29 passes, a 52% completion, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. 

Manning was comfortable going down the field and threw some passes into tight windows. Of course, Steve Sarkisian’s offense helps, but Manning, who ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2023, looks the part of a future star. 

Texas had little trouble dispatching ULM in a dominant victory. Blue rushed for three touchdowns in the win while Bond led the Longhorns with 75 yards receiving. Eleven different players caught a pass for Texas.