ESPN reporter gives update on Arch Manning ahead of Vanderbilt game
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ESPN’s Molly McGrath will be on the sidelines for ABC on Saturday afternoon covering the huge SEC showdown in Austin between No. 9 Vanderbilt and No. 20 Texas.
The question on everybody’s mind going into the Week 10 collision and the question McGrath was presented with on Friday afternoon was whether Longhorns star quarterback Arch Manning will be able to play. Manning was knocked out of last week’s overtime thriller at Mississippi State with a concussion, as backup Matthew Caldwell threw a game-winning touchdown pass in OT to finish off a stunning comeback win.
Manning was forced to watch after throwing for 346 yards and 3 touchdowns in Starkville, and now after going through the concussion protocol this week there are question marks surrounding his status for Saturday’s noon ET kickoff. McGrath shed some light on the subject about 24 hours before kickoff, saying that Manning is going to meet with doctors first thing on Saturday morning to determine his final status for the game.
Right now, things are trending in a positive direction, according to McGrath.
“I think his chances (to play) look really good,” said McGrath, who reported that Manning has not suffered any setbacks this week while he’s been in protocol.
“The Longhorns are hopeful that Manning will be available for this game,” added McGrath. “He didn’t practice until Wednesday, but (Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian) said that when he did practice, he shocked people with how good he looked.”
The jury is still out of course on whether Manning will oppose Vanderbilt star QB Diego Pavia in the crucial battle on Saturday. Those fans on pins and needles will have to wait until Saturday morning to truly find out whether Manning will suit up and play.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
