Arch Manning, No. 2 Texas Longhorns beat up ULM while tuning up for SEC opener

Arch Manning's first start at quarterback was a successful one as Texas football rolled to a 51-3 win Saturday over Louisiana-Monroe at Royal-Memorial Stadium.

Ranked first in the Associated Press poll and second in the US LBM Coaches poll, Texas is now 4-0. Next up is a home game against Mississippi State (1-3) and the Longhorns ' first conference contest as a member of the SEC.

Saturday marked a personal milestone for Manning, the redshirt freshman who started for the first time while filling in for an injured Quinn Ewers . On the game's first drive, Manning was pressured into a throw into coverage that was intercepted by ULM defensive back Carl Fauntroy. It was the first interception thrown on the college level by Manning.

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But if the 102,850 fans at Royal-Memorial Stadium were starting to sweat after that interception, it was likely due to it being a 95-degree evening in Austin.

Manning directed touchdown drives on UT's other three possessions in the first quarter. He ended the opening frame with 138 yards and two touchdowns on 8-of-12 passing. His 56-yard bomb to Isaiah Bond also set up a short touchdown run by Jaydon Blue.

REPORT CARD: Texas football vs. ULM grades for Arch Manning's first start

Texas extended its lead to 28-3 by halftime. The Warhawks (2-1) never got any closer than 25 points in the second half.

Manning finished Saturday's game with 258 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 15 of his 29 passes. He was replaced by true freshman Trey Owens in the fourth quarter.

Texas also got 124 rushing yards and four offensive touchdowns from Blue, a junior running back who was sidelined during last week's 56-7 win over UTSA by an ailing ankle. Blue logged a career-high 25 carries .

Defensively, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. became just the second UT player since 2020 to record a sack and an interception during the same game. Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins blocked a field goal attempt on the final play of the first half, and ULM running back Ozarrio Smith was stuffed in the end zone for a third-quarter safety.

Texas allowed just 22 points in nonconference play . Meanwhile, the UT offense scored 190.

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Arch Manning, No. 2 Texas Longhorns beat up ULM while tuning up for SEC opener