When Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian traded starter Quinn Ewers for quarterback Arch Manning in Saturday’s game against Georgia, the words “quarterback controversy” immediately came to mind.

But the Longhorns’ coach put an end to that speculation by announcing that Ewers would remain the team’s starting quarterback going forward after its loss to No. 5 Georgia.

“Quinn is our starting quarterback,” Sarkisian told reporters after the game.

“I appreciate the fact that we are fortunate to have a replacement like Arch who could come in and provide a spark in some way. At the end of the day, Quinn is our starter.

“I think, like I said, we have to do a better job around him. I think he would tell you he can play better, but we have to train better. Everyone has to be better for our offense to perform better.”

Manning played in two series while Ewers waited on the sideline, but didn’t want to play at all in the second half as Texas returned to its starter to end the 30-15 loss to the Bulldogs.

So why bench Ewers?

“I felt like Quinn was a little uncomfortable during the game,” Sarkisian said.

“I felt like I wanted to give him a chance to take a step back and regroup. I didn’t know if we would get a series or two with Arch depending on how much time was left on the clock at halftime.

“So we told Quinn we’d accompany Arch here and give you a chance to get to the locker room. Let’s regroup and then come back out in the second half and that’s exactly what we did. I felt it was effective. Quinn came out and played a much better second half.”

The loss will drop Texas from the No. 1 position in the rankings and drop to 6-1 overall, with a 2-1 mark in SEC play, and will face Vanderbilt on the road next weekend.

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