2 weeks Ago
The No. 5 Texas Longhorns escaped Nashville, Tennessee, in Week 9, squeezing out a 27-24 victory over the No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores.
Despite the Longhorns heading into the game as a 17.5-point favorite, per ESPN BET , the Commodores were knocking at the door. Vanderbilt had already beaten No.
1 Alabama earlier in the year, so there was certainly pressure on Texas not to make the same mistake. The Longhorns' offense had a great showing, posting 392 total yards to the Commodores 269 yards, but two interceptions from Quinn Ewers kept Vanderbilt in the game. Aside from the pick, Ewers finished the matchup with three touchdowns and 288 yards, completing 27-of-37 pass attempts.
He had solid production from wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr., who led the receiving room with two touchdowns and 97 yards on six receptions. Despite the connection with Moore and the win for Texas, some fans weren't impressed with Ewers' production.
Some fans pointed out the Longhorns quarterback's turnover woes, while others mentioned that he's holding the team back with a one-dimensional offense. HORNS WIN!! π€ #HookEm pic.twitter.
com/A8YDyIHAva Ewers may be a great quarterback in the eyes of many fans throughout the college football community, but a few think benching him for Arch Manning would unlock a different level to the offense. "I said it last week, and I'll say it again, Arch Manning needs to play." said one fan .
"Arch manning should finish the season," said another fan . "Texas better off letting Arch Manning rock! Ewers stinks." mentioned one fan .
"Time for Arch Manning," commented one fan . "Quinn Ewers just canβt even help it at this point..
..FREE ARCH MANNING," said one fan .
"Arch manning ability to run at least semi good unlocks so much for Texas Quinn limits them soooooooo much," said another fan . Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Manning has been the Longhorns' backup quarterback for the past two seasons.
He committed to Texas as the No. 1 overall player in the class of 2023, but he's been waiting for his number to be called in Austin, Texas. While he didn't get much of an opportunity in his freshman season, Manning has been able to show flashes of his talent in 2024.
Earlier in the year, Ewers went down with an oblique injury. This led to Manning being plugged into the game against UTSA in Week 3. He finished that matchup with four touchdowns and 223 yards, completing 9-of-12 pass attempts.
Manning also added one touchdown and 53 yards on the ground. While he struggled in Week 4 against ULM, Manning had another great performance against Mississippi State in Week 5. In the Longhorns' 35-13 win, Manning recorded two touchdowns and 325 yards, completing 26-of-31 pass attempts.
The dual-threat quarterback also had one touchdown and 33 yards on the ground. Given his big-play arm power and ability to spark the run game, some fans believe it's time for the Longhorns to permanently give Manning the keys to Texas' offense. Related: Fans In Disbelief Over Texas' Arch Manning Decision Related: Arch Manning Was the Talk of College Football After Texas-Oklahoma.
