Sports
Arch Manning converts 2 touchdowns in 3 plays after coming off the bench for injured Texas starter
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning ran away from a family stigma Saturday.
Manning scored a touchdown on the longest play of his college career when he took off on a 67-yard run, extending the Texas lead over UTSA.
It was Manning’s second touchdown in three snaps on offense. Manning entered the game off the bench after Texas starter Quinn Ewers left due to an injury. Ewers’ status is unclear.
On Manning’s first play in, he connected with wide receiver DeAndre Moore for a touchdown to put Texas up 21-0.
UTSA responded with a 53-yard touchdown run by Robert Henry just two plays into its next possession to cut the lead to 21-7. But Manning answered just as quickly.
The Longhorns’ next drive started with an eight-yard run by running back Quintrevion Wisner. On the next play, Manning took off on the 67-yarder to extend the lead to 28-7 going into halftime. Manning threw three more touchdown passes in the second half as Texas dominated to win 56-7.
Manning’s long run was an unfamiliar sight for fans used to watching his two uncles, former NFL stars Peyton Manning and Eli Manning.
Peyton and Eli were known for being old-fashioned pocket passers who rarely took off on runs. Both former quarterbacks were often joked about for their lack of speed, especially later in their careers.
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Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns fakes a handoff to Quintrevion Wisner in the second quarter against the UTSA Roadrunners at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Sept. 14, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
But Arch has shown he brings a different element to the table.
Manning put a similar sequence together when he entered a game for Ewers during a blowout against Colorado State Aug. 31. He went 5-for-6 for 95 yards with his first touchdown pass and his first rushing score on the next drive. Texas won 52-0.
The five-star recruit out of Isidore Newman School in New Orleans saw time in just two Longhorns games last season with Ewers as the team’s starter.
Ewers returned as the team’s starter this year for head coach Steve Sarkisian after a College Football Playoff loss to Washington last season. And he was productive in the win Saturday, going 20-for-27 for 260 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Quinn Ewers (3) of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines Sept. 7, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Manning was the Longhorns’ third-string quarterback last season, but with Maalik Murphy transferring to Duke, Manning is now second-string behind Ewers.
If Ewers’ injury keeps him out of action for a significant amount of time, Manning could be in line to make his first collegiate start.
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If the Super Bowl marks the end of the NFL season, WrestleMania is when WWE’s year is over.
There is no offseason in WWE, and when waves of departures hit the company, it hits harder than a Gunther knife-edge chop.
Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Nikki Cross appear during SmackDown at First Horizon Center in Savannah, Ga., on May 23, 2025. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Fightful and BodySlam both reported several superstars who left WWE on Friday ahead of “Friday Night SmackDown.” Some wrestlers confirmed their departures on social media.
Those who left included: Alba Fyre, Aleister Black, Alex Shelley, Andre Chase, Apollo Crews, Bo Dallas, Chris Island, Chris Sabin, Dante Chen, Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Kairi Sane, Luca Crusifino, Malik Blade, Nikki Cross, Santos Escobar, Sirena Linton, Trill London, Tyra Mae Steele, Tyriek Igwe, Tyson Dupont, Zelina Vegas and Zoey Stark.
The WWE roster is loaded as it is with several NXT stars getting called up this week.
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Sol Ruca made her presence felt on Raw on Monday when she challenged women’s champion Liv Morgan. The Fatal Influence faction of Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley took aim at the women’s tag team division on SmackDown on Friday. Ricky Saints and Blake Monroe also had vignettes for their upcoming appearances.
Meanwhile, former NXT champion Oba Femi has been on main WWE programming for the last few weeks and beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42.
Kairi Sane enters the ring during Monday Night RAW at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on April 13, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega make their way to the ring during SmackDown at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 3, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
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It’s not the end of the road for any of the recent departures. Several former WWE stars have made waves elsewhere. Some have even returned over the course of time.
Pitching coach Gus Rico was having dinner on Thursday when head coach Matt Mowry of Birmingham High complimented him on closer Aidan Martinez recording all seven of his outs on strikeouts.
“I had no idea,” Rico said. “Everything is a blur when I’m calling pitches.”
Martinez is throwing some blurs these days after returning this season following Tommy John surgery in June 2024. He touched 92 mph with his fastball and has been improving each week, getting better command and walking fewer batters. He has 28 strikeouts in 15 innings and three saves.
Birmingham is one game behind El Camino Real in the West Valley League standings going into showdown week, playing El Camino Real on Wednesday at on the road and Friday at home. The Patriots need a sweep to have a chance at their first league title under Mowry, who prefers winning City titles.
With Martinez throwing so well, it would be a good strategy for opposing teams to make sure they are leading going into the last two innings.
“He’s got a bright future,” Rico said.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.
Shortly after the Wolverines captured the program’s first title since 1989, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. announced he would enter the NBA Draft.
Despite declaring for the NBA Draft, Johnson has maintained his NCAA eligibility throughout the process. However, he has until May 27 to withdraw if he plans to return for his junior season.
Johnson played for Illinois during the 2024-25 season before transferring to Michigan last offseason.
Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. walks on the court against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated)
After joining Michigan, Johnson quickly emerged as a key contributor, averaging the second-most points on the team. He also led the Wolverines in rebounding, averaging 7.3 per game.
Michigan head coach Dusty May eventually dubbed Johnson “The Enforcer” and “Junkyard Dog,” a nod to his tenacity on the defensive end. Johnson was named to the Big Ten’s All-Defensive Team.
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But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths. His shooting from beyond the 3-point line showed improvement as the season progressed.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the 2026 NCAA national championship game in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Many early NBA projections gave Johnson a first-round grade. It’s unclear how much name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation he would command if he returns to Michigan or transfers elsewhere.
Johnson has been active on social media, interacting with teammates as they consider returning to Michigan for another championship push.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after scoring in the second half against the UConn Huskies during the 2026 NCAA national championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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Michigan added a key piece this week, with Jalen Reed transferring from LSU, On3 reported. Reed was limited during the 2025-26 season by an Achilles injury.
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