Steve Sarkisian Non-Commital on Quinn Ewers Replacement For Texas Longhorns Starting QB
AUSTIN, TX -- Texas Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered a grade 2 AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder during the team's 31-24 win over the Houston Cougars on Saturday - an injury that will keep him out for multiple weeks.
It is unclear when Ewers will return to the Horns during the regular season, who despite his injury, are still in a firm spot to compete for a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff spot.
On Monday, however, the quarterback that will lead the Horns in the interim remains a mystery, with Texas coach Steve Sarkisian electing not to reveal the starter for the team's Saturday matchup against the BYU Cougars on Monday.
He did, however, indicate that both players will get first-team reps in practice this week, and noted that if the game were today, Murphy would be the starter.
"Arch and Maalik will both get a ton of Reps," Sarkisian said. "If the game was being played today, Maalik would start the game. Again, Arch will be ready to go.”
Based on their respective performances in the spring game, as well as the fact that Murphy got all of the in-game second-team reps this season, Murphy should be the logical choice to replace Ewers under center.
However, both players have reportedly split second-team reps under center throughout the season, so it is no surprise that the competition will be neck and neck heading into Saturday.
Arch Manning and Maalik Murphy vs. the Houston Cougars
USA TODAY
In three appearances this season, Murphy has completed 4 of 8 passes for 47 yards - the majority of which came against Rice in the season opener.
And in the Orange-White game this spring, he finished 9 of 13 passing for 165 yards and one touchdown, which was highlighted by a beautiful 79-yard touchdown to freshman receiver Johntay Cook.
Manning, meanwhile, completed 5 of 13 passes for 30 yards and has yet to see the field in the regular season.
"What are the things that Maalik does well? What are the things that Arch does well? It's not always about the idea of the play and putting it on a whiteboard because there's a lot of plays that look good," Sarkisian said. "They don't have to run the whole playbook. They need to run what they run really well."
That said, there will be immense pressure from fans and boosters alike to play the former five-star Manning.
Luckily, no matter who is under center, Sarkisian and the players have faith in both quarterbacks.
"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... The team has a lot of confidence in Maalik and Arch."
