AUSTIN — It was the first game of his career for Arch Manning on Saturday night as the Texas Longhorns went into halftime with a commanding ()-() lead against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.

Manning finished the first half completing 11 of 21 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Texas running back Jaydon Blue had a hat trick of touchdowns in the first half, including two on the ground and one through the air. He had 15 carries for 66 yards and the two scores along with the three-yard receiving score.

The Texas defense limited ULM quarterback General Booty to just 5 of 15 passes for 45 yards and an interception in the first half.

Manning and the Longhorns got the ball first. The offense had some solid plays to start, highlighted by a 16-yard diving catch by Silas Bolden on 2nd-and-14. However, Manning made the first real mistake of his Texas career by throwing an interception in heavy traffic on a pass intended for Matthew Golden.

Looking to capitalize on the win, the Warhawks were instead forced to punt on a quick three-and-out that ended with a hard sack by Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.

Manning quickly made up for his interception with a 56-yard bomb up the middle of the field to Isaiah Bond, putting Texas in the red zone. Returning from injury, running back Jaydon Blue hit a one-yard touchdown a few feet later to put the Longhorns up 7-0.

Once Texas got back on defense, Hill Jr.’s impact plays continued. Two plays into the drive, he intercepted a tipped pass and appeared to return it for a touchdown before a block in the back negated the score.

The Longhorns still managed to reach the end zone when Manning rolled to his right and found Blue for his second score of the game with a three-yard catch.

Unable to respond, ULM punted for a second time after a five-play drive. Manning found Wingo on a deep third-down pass that resulted in a defensive pass interference call. The pair connected for a 25-yard pass on the next play before doing it again three plays later, this time for a 17-yard touchdown.

After another point by the Warhawks, Manning led a 12-play, 87-yard drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown by Blue, his third of the first half.

The Warhawks then mounted a long, 13-play, 58-yard drive that ultimately resulted in points via a 35-yard field goal with 1:46 left in the first half.

Texas got the ball back and continued to rely on its deep passing attack. However, after missing two deep passes to Johntay Cook II and Blue — who was wide open on the left sideline — Manning’s third-down pass to Blue was tipped into the air and intercepted. ULM was then set up on the Texas 38-yard line and nearly paid off the takeaway with a 45-yard field goal, but the kick was blocked to end the half.