AUSTIN — Many college football teams are struggling with quarterback injuries, but no program has a replacement as good as Arch Manning.

Texas Longhorns star quarterback Quinn Ewers went down in the second quarter and didn’t return for Saturday’s home game against UTSA with what Steve Sarkisian called an abdominal muscle injury. But when Manning came in and threw a 19-yard touchdown to DeAndre Moore Jr. on his first pass attempt of the game, the big prodigy never looked back.

Replacing the injured Ewers, Manning led Texas to a 56-7 victory and delivered highlight after highlight, completing 9 of 12 passes for 223 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He added a 67-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter that set DKR — and the college football world — alight.

It is therefore not surprising that he looked back modestly on his performance after the match.

“Coach (AJ) Milwee teaches me that I have to prepare and be ready every week for when my number is called and help this team win games,” Manning said. “And that’s what I tried to do tonight. Obviously there’s still a lot to improve and grow, but I’m glad I went in there and got hit again and got to feel what that’s like.”

Trey Owens, a true freshman quarterback, replaced him early in the fourth quarter with the game already decided, but by that point Manning had already compiled a memorable stat line.

On the possession after the touchdown to Moore Jr., Manning showed his wheels with a 67-yard rushing touchdown. After back-to-back punts by Texas, the Longhorns went into halftime with a 28-7 lead and questions still lingering about Ewers, who eventually returned to the sideline in a black hoodie.

Manning took some hard hits in the pocket early in the night due to poor o-line protection, but held firm, hitting Isaiah Bond for a 51-yard catch-and-run touchdown early in the third quarter and then finding Ryan Wingo wide open behind the defense for a 75-yard touchdown on the next possession.

Manning spoke about his bond with the receivers and Wingo in particular, who finished with a game-high 127 yards on just three catches.

“It helps when you have great players around you and great coaches,” Manning said. “So I mean, Isaiah Bond, Ryan Wingo, the o-line, they’re all playing really well and they make it a little easier for me. … I’m getting more reps with Wingo in practice and he’s the man. What a good guy. I mean, he’s going to catch a lot of touchdowns here. The sky’s the limit for him.”

Manning then found Johntay Cook II for a 12-yard touchdown on a nice back-shoulder fade into the right corner of the end zone to start the fourth quarter. It was Cook’s second score of the night after catching one from Ewers early in the game.

It’s unclear when Ewers will get injured, but if he’s out for multiple games, Manning should be the starter when the Longhorns play their first-ever SEC game against Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Texas closes out non-conference play next week against Louisiana Monroe.