AUSTIN, Texas— Arch Manning earned his first career win as a starter and Jaydon Blue scored four touchdowns as No. 1 Texas defeated Louisiana-Monroe 51-3 on Saturday night.

The Longhorns took over first place last week for the first time since 2008, quickly crushing the Warhawks. Manning replaced injured regular quarterback Quinn Ewers, who was out with an abdominal injury.

Texas (4-0) leaned on Blue early, and he scored three of the Longhorns’ first four touchdowns on two short runs and a pass from Manning. Manning’s second-quarter touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo made it 28-0.

Blue finished with 124 yards rushing. He did not play in Texas’ previous game due to a nagging ankle injury.

Manning is the son of Cooper Manning, the grandson of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, and the nephew of Super Bowl-winning QBs Peyton and Eli Manning. He was one of the highest-rated recruits in the country following the 2022 high school season.

Arch Manning achieved a personal milestone in his victory, but was not as sharp as his flawless performance against UTSA a week earlier, when he threw five touchdown passes and scored another after Ewers was injured.

Manning was 15-of-29 passing for 259 yards and two touchdowns against the Warhawks (2-1), with some forced throws, missed receivers and two interceptions. He left the game early in the fourth quarter after Blue’s final touchdown.

Texas played its final non-conference game before beginning its first SEC schedule next week: a home game against Mississippi State.

Takeaway meals

Louisiana-Monroe: The Warhawks have already matched last season’s win total, and a lopsided loss to top-ranked Texas won’t hurt their hopes for a decent season in the Sun Belt Conference. The Warhawks were able to put some pass-rushing pressure on Manning.

Texas: The game was a perfect learning opportunity for Manning, who clearly doesn’t shy away from any pitch and has forced several into double and even triple coverage. He also continues to show a powerful arm on deep balls. It’s unclear when Ewers will return, though coach Steve Sarkisian has suggested he’ll be the starter if he does.

Next

Louisiana-Monroe plays at Troy on September 28 for the Warhawks’ Sun Belt Conference opener.

Texas hosts Mississippi State on September 28 in the Longhorns’ SEC opener.

More Texas coverage from The Dallas Morning News can be found here.