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The No. 1 overall Texas Longhorns will start senior Quinn Ewers over redshirt freshman Arch Manning against No. 18 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry Game on Saturday (October 12), head coach Steve Sarkisian announced during his Zoom press conference with reporters on Thursday (October 10).
Ewers, a preseason Heisman favorite, suffered an oblique strain in Week 3 and was listed as questionable before Sarkisian decided to start Manning for a second consecutive game prior to last week's bye. Ewers threw for 691 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions on 58 of 79 passing, which included 185 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 14 of 16 passing prior to his injury.
Manning, 19, the son of Cooper Manning, nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning and grandson of Archie Manning, took over in the first quarter of Texas' Week 3 blowout win against UTSA, throwing for 223 yards and four touchdowns on 9 of 12 passing, while also recording 53 total yards, including a 67-yard touchdown, on three rushing attempts. The former No. 1 overall threw for 901 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions on 55 of 78 passing, while also recording 82 yards and three touchdowns on 13 rushing attempts.
The Red River Rivalry game between No. 1 Texas and No. 18 Oklahoma is set for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.