AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas quarterback Arch Manning suffered a concussion in the Longhorns’ wild comeback overtime win over Mississippi State, and he’s going through the protocol.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters that Manning didn’t practice on Monday, but left his availability for Saturday’s game against No. 9 Vanderbilt open.
“We’ll have more information as the week goes on,” Sarkisian said.
The first injury report that coaches give to the Southeastern Conference is posted online at 7 p.m. Wednesday. It’ll be updated at the same time daily until Saturday, when the final report is released 90 minutes before kickoff.
Manning’s injury happened on the first play of overtime. Manning decided to tuck the ball and run when he couldn’t find an open receiver, and he had some open space in the middle of the field. Two Mississippi State defenders, Isaac Smith and Kedrick Bingley-Jones, closed in to make the stop, with Smith making the first contact that sent Manning airborne.
Bingley-Jones then hit Manning from behind, causing Manning’s head to bounce off the grass at Davis Wade Stadium. Manning stayed down on the ground. Offensive lineman Brandon Baker tried to help Manning to his feet, but he fell back down, and that’s when medical personnel ran out to help him.
Manning was walked off the field by two members of the medical team and was taken into the injury tent on the sideline. Backup Matthew Caldwell came in for two plays and completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Emmett Mosley V for the go-ahead score. Caldwell changed the play at the line to the fade route that Mosley hauled in.
Sarkisian said that he asked Southeastern Conference officials to review the play to see if a penalty should have been called. He routinely sends some plays in for explanation, not necessarily because he wants to complain, but to get clarity on how officials will call them in the future.
If Caldwell is the starter against the Commodores, Sarkisian said he has a lot of confidence in the journeyman, who has played at both the FCS and FBS levels during his career for Jacksonville State, Gardner-Webb and Troy.
“He’s probably the most engaged player on the sideline,” Sarkisian said. “He’s got a really good relationship with the guys, throws a really good ball, and he’s a guy who has been in a variety of systems. His demeanor and approach during his visit didn’t seem like this was too big for him.”
Texas moved up two spots in the latest Associated Press Top 25 rankings to No. 20 after the win. Vanderbilt’s ranking is the highest for the program in 88 years.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 11 a.m. from DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
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