Texas QB Arch Manning throws and runs for the first touchdowns of his college career on back-to-back offenses

Arch Manning threw his first career touchdown with Texas in the Longhorns’ season opener on Saturday.

Manning entered the game against Colorado State with four minutes left in the third quarter and the Longhorns leading 38-0. On his first play, Manning rolled to his right and hit Johntay Cook over the middle for a 40-yard catch-and-run. Two plays later, Manning found Oregon State transfer Silas Bolden for a 5-yard touchdown after rushing to avoid some pressure.

Manning scored his first career rushing touchdown on Texas’ next offense.

Manning was Texas’ No. 3 QB for most of his freshman season in 2023. He played in two games and was 2-of-5 passing for 30 yards a season ago. With Maalik Murphy transferring to Duke prior to last season’s College Football Playoff, Manning is the Longhorns’ No. 2 QB this season behind Quinn Ewers.

Ewers’ excellence on Saturday was a big reason why Manning was allowed to enter the game in the third quarter. Ewers was 20-of-27 passing for 260 yards with three TDs and an interception before leaving the game. Two of those TDs went to Matthew Golden and the other to former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond.

With Ewers set to be a senior in 2024, Manning is in line to be the Longhorns’ No. 1 QB next season. He’s also likely to see more playing time later this season, especially if Texas continues to blow teams away.