September 21, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) at the Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Speak with head coach Steve Sarkisian before the game against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at the Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images Quarterback Quinn Ewers is unlikely to start for Texas in its Southeastern Conference debut against visiting Mississippi State on Saturday as he returns from injury, according to ESPN.
If Ewers misses, Archie Manning will make his second straight start.
On September 14, in the Longhorns' win over UTSA, Ewers left the game with an abdominal strain and was replaced by Manning. The redshirt freshman started in place of Ewers in Louisiana-Monroe's 51-3 win over Louisiana-Monroe last weekend as Texas tied the score at 4-4. 0.
ESPN reports that the decision will be made later Saturday before the 4:15 p.m. ET start in Austin.
Ewers has been limited in practice this week because coach Steve Sarkisian said he wanted to give him more rest.
In his college debut against ULM, Manning completed 15 of 29 passes for 258 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Manning took over for Ewers against UTSA and completed 9 of 12 passes for 223 yards, including four touchdown passes and a 67-yard touchdown run.
Ewers is 19-6 as Texas' starter. His 6,347 career passing yards rank seventh in program history. His 45 passing touchdowns rank sixth.
He will get extra recovery time during the Longhorns' bye week next week. They return to action on Oct. 12 against longtime rival Oklahoma State, currently ranked No. 21.
Mississippi State will be Texas' first-ever SEC opponent. The Bulldogs (1-3, 0-1 SEC) lost quarterback Blake Shapen for the season to a shoulder injury after losing 45-28 to Florida State in the conference opener last weekend. .
Freshman signal caller Michael Van Buren will make his first collegiate start for the Bulldogs on Saturday.
–Scene-level media