Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said on Thursday that the No. 1 Longhorns still haven't decided on a starting quarterback for Saturday's inaugural SEC game against Mississippi State.
Quinn Ewers was listed as questionable on Texas' first SEC injury report, still recovering from an oblique strain. Arch Manning made his first career start last week in a 51-3 win over UL Monroe. «We're going to decide on the quarterback thing tomorrow,» Sarkisian said. «It won't be a secret.
We're not trying to pull the wool over anybody's eyes. Just want to give Quinn every opportunity to see if he's ready to play and what he looks like.» Sarkisian said on Monday that Ewers practiced and looked good, but he wanted to see how he was feeling after a week of work.
He said he's been encouraged by what he's seen all week, even from third-string quarterback Trey Owens, a true freshman. «I'd say he's improved every day,» Sarkisian said on Thursday. «I think Arch has had a very good week, and I would say this: Trey Owens probably had his best practice as a Longhorn today, so that was really encouraging as well.» Mississippi State has had injury issues of its own at quarterback and will be starting a true freshman, Michael Van Buren Jr., after starter Blake Shapen was lost for the season last week with a shoulder injury that will require surgery.