AUSTIN – In Arch Manning’s first start Saturday night, the Texas Longhorns took a commanding ()-() lead into halftime against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.
Manning finished the first half with 11 of 21 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Texas running back Jaydon Blue scored three touchdowns in the first half, two on the ground and one through the air. He rushed for 66 yards on 15 runs and scored two touchdowns and scored one pass for three yards.
The Texas defense held ULM quarterback General Booty to just 5 of 15 passes for 45 yards and one interception in the first half.
Manning and the Longhorns got the ball first. The offense had some solid plays early on, most notably a 16-yard catch by Silas Bolden on 2nd-and-14. However, Manning made the first real mistake of his Texas career by intercepting a pass intended for Matthew Golden in heavy traffic.
The Warhawks wanted to capitalize on the ball gain, but were forced to punt instead after a quick three-and-out that ended with a brutal sack by Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.
Manning quickly made up for his interception by throwing a 56-yard pass up the middle of the field to Isaiah Bond, putting Texas in the red zone. Returning from injury, running back Jaydon Blue scored a one-yard touchdown a few yards later to give the Longhorns a 7-0 lead.
When Texas went back on defense, Hill Jr. continued his impactful plays. Two plays into the game, he intercepted a deflected pass and appeared to return it for a touchdown before a block in the back negated the point.
The Longhorns still managed to find the end zone when Manning rolled to the right and Blue delivered his second touchdown of the game with a three-yard catch.
Unable to respond, ULM punted for the second time after a five-play drive. Manning looked for Wingo on a deep pass on third down, resulting in defensive pass interference. The pair managed a 25-yard pass on the next play before running again three plays later, this time for a 17-yard touchdown.
After another Warhawks punt, Manning led a 12-play, 87-yard drive that ended with a two-yard rushing touchdown by Blue, his third of the first half.
The Warhawks then went on a long 13-play, 58-yard drive that eventually resulted in a 35-yard field goal with 1:46 left in the first half.
Texas got the ball back and continued to attack with long passes. However, after two long passes to Johntay Cook II and Blue – who was completely free on the left sideline – were missed, Manning’s pass to Blue on the third attempt was deflected into the air and intercepted. ULM then stood at the Texas 38-yard line and almost tied the gain with a 45-yard field goal, but the kick was blocked and ended the half.
