Texas vs Ohio State: Arch Manning converts fourth down in Cotton Bowl
ARLINGTON — With Texas football locked in a tight battle with Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl, backup quarterback Arch Manning has made an appearance.
Manning picked up a first down on a fourth-and-1 play with 61 seconds left in the first half. The 8-yard run gave Texas a first down at the Ohio State 42-yard line.
A few seconds later, Texas running back Jaydon Blue caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. Blue's touchdown forced a 7-7 tie with 29 seconds left, but Ohio State scored on a 75-yard pass play 16 seconds later.
A five-star recruit during the 2023 recruiting cycle, Manning has played sparingly since he arrived at Texas. He started twice this season while Ewers nursed a strained abdomen, and he temporarily replaced a benched Ewers during a 30-15 loss to Georgia in October.
Near the end of the regular season, the Longhorns unveiled a package that featured Manning as a running option. Manning did not play in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1, but Texas did employ him in its games against Texas A&M, Georgia and Clemson. Manning rushed for a 15-yard touchdown against Texas A&M but lost a fumble against Clemson.
"I'm just trying to do what I can to help us win in any way, whether it's running, throwing, just trying to help us out," Manning told reporters in December.
This season, Manning has completed 61 of his 90 pass attempts. In addition to his 939 passing yards and nine touchdowns, Manning has rushed 24 times for 100 yards and four touchdowns.