Arch Manning’s first start as quarterback was a success as the Texas football team rolled to a 51-3 victory over Louisiana-Monroe at Royal Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Texas is ranked first in the Associated Press poll and second in the US LBM Coaches poll and is now 4-0. Next up is a home game against Mississippi State (1-3), the Longhorns’ first conference game as a member of the SEC.
Saturday marked a personal milestone for Manning, the redshirt freshman who made his first start while filling in for the injured Quinn Ewers. On the game’s first drive, Manning was forced into coverage for a throw that was intercepted by ULM defensive back Carl Fauntroy. It was the first interception Manning threw at the collegiate level.
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“He has grown enormously and that requires a lot of maturity.”
But if the 102,850 fans at Royal Memorial Stadium were sweating after that interception, it was probably because it was a 95-degree evening in Austin.
Manning led the touchdown drives on UT’s other three first-quarter possessions. He finished the first half with 138 yards and two touchdowns on 8-of-12 passing. His 56-yard pass to Isaiah Bond also set up a short touchdown run by Jaydon Blue.
Texas extended its lead to 28-3 by halftime. The Warhawks (2-1) never got closer than 25 points in the second half.
Manning finished Saturday’s game with 258 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, completing 15 of his 29 passes. He was replaced by true freshman Trey Owens in the fourth quarter.
Texas also got 124 rushing yards and four offensive touchdowns from Blue, a junior running back who missed last week’s 56-7 win over UTSA with an ankle injury. Blue recorded a career-high 25 carries.
On defense, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. became just the second UT player since 2020 to record a sack and an interception in the same game. Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins blocked a field goal attempt on the final play of the first half, and ULM running back Ozarrio Smith was stopped in the end zone and scored a safety in the third quarter.
Texas allowed just 22 points in non-conference games, while the UT offense scored 190 points.
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