Report: Texas' Quinn Ewers Not Likely to Play vs. Miss. St.; Arch Manning to Start

Arch Manning is set to make his second consecutive start for No. 1 Texas on Saturday against Mississippi State.

Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Quinn Ewers is expected to be held out again this week while recovering from an oblique injury suffered in the Longhorns' 56-7 win over UTSA on Sept. 14.

Thamel noted Texas' coaching staff wants to give Ewers more time so that he can be at full strength for their showdown with Oklahoma on Oct. 12.

Manning replaced Ewers in the second quarter against UTSA. It wasn't immediately clear how the injury occurred because it was a non-contact play.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters after the game that Ewers felt something in his oblique on a deep pass to tight end Gunnar Helm that was complete for 49 yards.

"On the release he just feels it," Sarkisian said. "He realized he needs to get it looked at."

Ewers stayed in the game for the next play, a handoff to Quintrevion Wisner, before signaling to the sideline something was wrong.

The injury to Ewers has opened the door for Manning to get his first extended playing time. He went 9-of-12 for 75 yards through the air, ran for 53 yards on three carries and accounted for five touchdowns in relief of Ewers against UTSA.

Manning followed that up by going 15-of-29 for 258 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in his first career start against Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 21. The Longhorns cruised to a 51-3 victory.

Texas has outscored its opponents 190-22 through four games, highlighted by a 31-12 win over Michigan at the Big House on Sept. 7.

Mississippi State doesn't figure to pose a significant threat to Texas on Saturday. The Bulldogs' lone win this season was over Eastern Kentucky of the FCS, and they have allowed at least 30 points in their three games against FBS opponents.

Texas will have a bye week after Saturday's game before taking on Oklahoma in the 120th edition of the Red River Rivalry on Oct. 12.