Analysis: Quarterback Quinn Ewers (stomach) expected to miss game for top-ranked Texas
According to ESPN, it is unlikely that quarterback Quinn Ewers will start for No. 1 Texas in their first Southeastern Conference game against Mississippi State on Saturday due to an injury.
If Ewers is unable to play, Arch Manning will make his second consecutive start.
Ewers sustained an abdominal strain during the Longhorns' win over UTSA on September 14 and was replaced by Manning. Manning, a redshirt freshman, started in Ewers' place last weekend as Texas cruised to a 51-3 victory over Louisiana-Monroe, bringing their record to 4-0.
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ESPN reported that the decision on Ewers' availability will be made later on Saturday, just before the scheduled 4:15 p.m. ET kickoff in Austin.
This week, Ewers was limited in practice as head coach Steve Sarkisian wanted to give him more time to rest.
In his first start for the Longhorns, Manning completed 15 of 29 passes for 258 yards and threw two touchdowns, but also had two interceptions. In the UTSA game, he came in for Ewers and completed 9 of 12 passes for 223 yards, throwing four touchdowns and even scoring a 67-yard touchdown run.
Ewers has a record of 19-6 as a starter for Texas and has thrown for 6,347 yards in his career, ranking seventh in program history. He also has 45 passing touchdowns, placing him sixth in the record books.
Fortunately, Ewers will have extra time to recover during the Longhorns' bye week next week. They will return to play on October 12 against their longtime rival, Oklahoma, who is currently ranked No. 21.
Mississippi State will be the first SEC opponent for Texas. The Bulldogs (1-3, 0-1 SEC) suffered a loss to Florida in their conference opener last weekend, and also lost their quarterback Blake Shapen for the season due to a shoulder injury.
As a result, freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren will make his first college start for the Bulldogs on Saturday.
