AUSTIN (KXAN) — Don’t expect Louisiana-Monroe to be intimidated by the Texas Longhorns or Arch Manning.
Warhawks defensive coordinator Earnest Hill said earlier in the week that some of his players played against, and beat, Manning while in high school. Manning went to Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, and a lot of the ULM players come from that area.
Warhawks vs. Longhorns
Louisiana-Monroe vs. Texas, 7 p.m., DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, ESPN+/SEC Network+
“They don’t hold very much fear against him,” Hill said. “It’ll be fun to play against somebody like that.”
It’s the first start of Manning’s career, taking over for the injured Quinn Ewers. All signs point to Ewers returning next week for the Southeastern Conference opener against Mississippi State, but this week is an ideal time for Manning to get a start under his belt. He accounted for five touchdowns against UTSA when he came in for Ewers in the second quarter after Ewers suffered an abdominal strain.
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Texas is a 44.5-point favorite against the Warhawks at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Running backs Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner will be game-time decisions due to injuries, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday. That means freshman Jerrick Gibson could see the bulk of the carries for the Longhorns, and he’s been up to the task. He’s averaging 5.4 yards per carry this season, gaining 178 yards on 33 carries with a pair of touchdowns. Manning could also figure into the run game after he scored on a 67-yard option run against the Roadrunners.
Defensive back Jelani McDonald is also a game-time decision due to injury.
The Warhawks are led on offense by Oklahoma transfer quarterback General Booty. If the last name sounds familiar, it’s because Sarkisian coached Booty’s uncle, John David, while at Southern California.
Booty has led ULM to a 2-0 record this season with wins over Jackson State and Alabama-Birmingham. He’s thrown for 191 yards on 19 of 30 passing with a touchdown. Ahmad Hardy leads the team in rushing with 161 yards on 33 carries and two scores.
The game kicks off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+/SEC Network+ with Lowell Galindo and Fozzy Whitaker on the call.