Steve Sarkisian explains temporarily benching Texas QB Quinn Ewers in favor of Arch Manning

Ewers started the second half for the Longhorns.

AUSTIN, Texas — All of a sudden, the No. 1 Texas Longhorns have a potential quarterback controversy in the wake of a disastrous first half against the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, trailing 23-0 at halftime thanks to three turnovers and just 38 total yards.

Texas redshirt junior quarterback Quinn Ewers, starting his second straight game after returning from an oblique strain that caused him to miss two starts, struggled once again to start the game, going 6-of-12 passing for 17 yards with an interception and a fumble on a cornerback blitz.

“I was trying to settle down Quinn a little bit, give us a little bit of a spark,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian told ABC at halftime.

Redshirt freshman Arch Manning entered the game with 4:43 remaining in the second quarter with the Longhorns down 20-0 after a third three and out led to a field goal by the Bulldogs. Quickly under pressure, Manning had to throw the ball away on his first snap as Georgia continued to whip the experienced Texas offensive line.

Manning’s athleticism did make a difference on a 21-yard scramble on his second drive, but he missed an open receiver to end his first drive and then fumbled late in the half after taking his second straight sack, leading to a Georgia field goal and the final deficit.

Manning finished the half 3-of-6 passing for 19 yards and Ewers was back on the field at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to start the second half.