Steve Sarkisian Confident In Texas Longhorns QBs Maalik Murphy & Arch Manning After Quinn Ewers Injury
HOUSTON, TX -- The Texas Longhorns suffered a potentially major setback in their 31-24 win over the Houston Cougars on Saturday afternoon, with starting quarterback Quinn Ewers being knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury.
While Steve Sarkisian did not reveal much as to the extent of the injury, rumors are that Ewers could miss an extended amount of time.
Even without considering rumors, the fact that Ewers was in a sling yesterday after leaving the game, indicates at least a certain amount of severity.
And while Sarkisian is hopeful his starter can continue to play, he is also very confident in both of his backup quarterbacks - Maalk Murphy and Arch Manning - should Ewers be unable to go.
Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers in a sling after his injury vs. the Houston Cougars
© Maria Lysaker, USA TODAY
"I'm hopeful Quinn will continue to be able to go," Sarkisian said. "We'll know more tomorrow. But we've got two quarterbacks behind him who are capable."
Capable indeed. But experienced? Far from it. And that could potentially be an issue.
Murphy would be the obvious choice to step in and replace Ewers next week vs. BYU. He won the backup job after spring football, and despite him and Manning splitting reps in practice with the second team, Murphy has gotten all of the in-game backup reps in cleanup time.
However, Murphy has thrown just eight passes, completing four in his three appearances. And the majority of that work came in the season opener against Rice, where he went 3 of 5 for 40 yards.
Meanwhile, Manning has yet to see a snap in a game this season.
That said, Manning was the No. 1 quarterback in the country coming out of high school for a reason, and he can certainly not be counted out of the discussion just yet.
Despite that inexperience, however, the team has confidence in both players.
"I think that the one thing about this team and the way we practice, the team has a lot of confidence in Maalik and Arch, because I know how well those guys competed," Sarkisian said. “We’ll devise a plan for whoever that QB is."
At the end of the day, if Ewers can't go, whichever quarterback is picked (again we believe that it should and likely would be Murphy) will be in as good a position as a QB could hope for this Saturday.
Texas Longhorns backup QB Maalik Murphy vs. the Houston Cougars
© Maria Lysaker, USA TODAY
Not only do the Horns have an experienced offensive line and arguably the best group of pass catchers in the country, but they also tote one of the best rushing attacks in the country, led by Jonathon Brooks, who ranks No. 4 in the nation with 825 yards on 128 carries, with six scores.
"We've got two quality players at that position," Sarkisian said. "They've got a great supporting cast around them with a good O-line, good runners, good receivers, so we'll devise a plan, whoever that quarterback is, hopefully, to have success in the next ballgame."
Another good thing for the young QBs? BYU ranks No. 98 in the country in total defense, as well as 100th against the pass, and 81st against the run.
After that, however, the defenses will get tougher. Iowa State, for example, has the No. 1 total defense in the Big 12.
Meanwhile, Kansas State, Texas Tech, and TCU, while not world-beating defenses, all rank significantly better than BYU in total defense nationally.
And should the Longhorns remain unscathed through that stretch, a rematch with the Oklahoma Sooners would be another story entirely.
In other words, whichever QB Sarkisian decides to call upon this Saturday, the Longhorns will have a lot to figure out over the next few weeks,
