The No. 20 Texas Longhorns pulled off a season-saving comeback win on Saturday night against Mississippi State. While they remain on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff picture, they have a massive opportunity this week at home against No. 9 Vanderbilt to secure a much-needed victory.
However, there’s growing concern in Austin about star quarterback Arch Manning, who suffered an injury during the overtime win. Head coach Steve Sarkisian announced that Manning is currently in concussion protocol and was unable to practice on Monday.
It’s still early in the week, and Manning could miss another day or two of practice and still be in position to play. But if he’s unable to practice by Thursday, concern will rise about his availability for Saturday’s matchup. If Manning can’t go, backup Matthew Caldwell, who threw just one pass on Saturday, a 10-yard touchdown that won the game in overtime, would be in line to start.
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Manning has slowly but surely started to find his rhythm after a sluggish start to the season. Over the weekend, he completed 29 of 46 passes for 346 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, while also adding a rushing touchdown.
Manning has now totaled 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions over the Longhorns’ last five games. With virtually no margin for error, Texas can’t afford another loss if it hopes to remain in the College Football Playoff conversation, especially with upcoming matchups on the road against No. 5 Georgia and at home to close the season against No. 3 Texas A&M.
Caldwell has had quite the collegiate career, currently as a senior for the Longhorns.
He began at Jacksonville State where he spent his freshman season before transferring to Gardner-Webb for two seasons, then one at Troy, before eventually ending up here at Texas where he may receive a massive opportunity on Saturday if Manning cannot play.
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