Texas vs. ULM: 3 questions to answer today, including can Arch Manning handle 1st start?
Texas football (3-0) tries to wrap up one its most dominant nonconference schedules in program history Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe (2-0).
Arch Manning will start in place of Heisman Trophy candidate Quinn Ewers and Texas will continue its march toward its inaugural SEC season. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. at DKR Memorial Stadium in Austin.
The Longhorns have provided plenty of answers while climbing to the top spot in this week’s Associated Press rankings and the No. 2 spot in the US LBM Coaches Poll, but here are three key questions facing Texas as it prepares for the Warhawks:
How will Arch Manning handle his first career start at quarterback?
During his scintillating relief performance in place of starter Ewers against UTSA last week, Manning showed off the physical skill set that made him the nation’s top recruit in 2023. Everyone saw the arm talent when he rolled left and threw across his body for a 40-yard downfield strike to Ryan Wingo. Everyone saw the speed on his 67-yard touchdown run.
But will Texas coach Steve Sarkisian see Manning execute all the nuances of the offense, move the chains and keep the Longhorns on schedule? Sarkisian said he wants to see that snap-to-snap consistency as much as the splash plays.
Answer: We'll let you know after the game.
Can Texas get a 100-yard rusher?
Sarkisian, who prides himself on annually producing 1,000-yard rushers, has never gone four straight games without having at least one running back reach 100 yards during his tenure at Texas. It’s been six years since the Longhorns didn’t have at least one 100-yard rusher in its first four games.
But the Texas ground game plagued by injuries at running back has yet to have a player reach 100 yards rushing in a contest this season. Starter CJ Baxter suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason camp while reserve Christian Clark had his season end with an Achilles injury. Jaydon Blue, who replaced Baxter in the starting lineup, missed last week with an ankle injury. His backup Quintrevion Wisner also left last week’s game with an injury.
All those nicks leave freshman Jerrick Gibson as almost the last man standing in the backfield. He leads Texas with 178 yards on 33 carries this season and looks primed for a big game.
Answer: We'll let you know after the game.
When will the Longhorns make a big play on special teams?
They can't come quick enough for Sarkisian, who bemoaned the lack of explosive plays in the kicking game during interviews with reporters earlier this week.
Last year, Texas averaged 16 yards on punt returns, 20.5 yards on kick returns, tallied three return touchdowns and blocked two punts. Things have been much quieter this season. Matthew Golden has averaged 21 yards on three kick returns, Silas Bolden has an average of 7.5 yards on six punt returns, and the team has yet to block a punt. Special teams coordinator Jeff Banks may feel especially aggressive against ULM in order to please the boss.
Answer: We'll let you know after the game.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 3 Texas football questions vs ULM include Arch Manning, RBs
