AUSTIN, Texas -- Hours before over 102,850 burnt-orange-and white-clad fans filed into Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, the famous voice of the Longhorns held court outside the booth where he'd call the game a few hours later. Craig Way, in a distinctive lilt that's guided Texas fans through the high peaks and deep valleys over 30 years, pondered what Arch Manning's h otly-anticipated first start would mean for the program . "I think it's a preview of what Longhorn fans can expect from him in the future," Way said.
"Even though the moment will come for Quinn (Ewers) to return to the job. The Arch Manning era of Texas football did not begin Saturday, even if the college football media echo chamber at large made it feel that way. Texas versus ULM may have been marooned to ESPN+, but that didn't stop a weeklong content blietzkrieg of all things Manning -- though you can't blame an editor for feeding the beast -- debating and fawning over the quarterback with the most famous last name in the sport.
On a 96-degree September day, Texas fans generally agreed with the assertion that there's no actual quarterback competition as they gathered at tailgates and along Bevo Boulevard ahead of kickoff. George Ramirez is a life-long Texas fan. "Forever," he says when asked how long he's rooted for the 'Horns.
He came to the game rocking an Arch Manning No. 16 jersey and a giant Longhorn chain that draped from his neck past Manning's numerals. He followed Manning's recruitment and boug.