Cooper Manning explains his son Arch's decision to play for Texas

They say everything is bigger in Texas – and that includes the state's love for the Longhorns football team.

If you're a Texas fan (like this UT grad), life is pretty good this fall. The Horns are 4-0 after non-conference play – including a loss to the defending champions in Ann Arbor – and are considered the No. 1 team in the country. After a lost decade, Texas is indeed back.

The only problem along the way was an injury to starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. Two weeks ago, the star QB left the game against UTSA with an oblique injury and did not play the following week against UL-Monroe.

If there was a positive aspect to the Ewers injury, it was that it allowed highly touted redshirt freshman Arch Manning to get his first start and see significant playing time for the first time. Manning held his own against the Warhawks as he went 15-for-29 for 258 yards and two touchdowns.

As luck would have it, the future star quarterback's father, Cooper Manning, was the guest on the episode of GOLF's Subpar, who offered some insight into his son's first college start.

“It was fun for Arch to gain experience,” Cooper Manning said. “He made the best of it. I think he enjoyed playing well. Like any newbie on your opening night, you're going to have a few hiccups, but he also made some plays. I think he loved being out there.”

Unlike many highly touted talents these days, the younger Manning didn't arrive on campus in Austin looking for playing time immediately. Instead, he chose to sit behind a high school student and study while waiting his turn.

“I think the main reason he liked Texas was because they had a great history, they had a new coach, they had a new feel to the program and they knew they had the potential to be great,” Cooper said. “And besides, you don’t have to come in and be that guy. He can learn and improve so that when your number is called you are ready to play and perform well.”

So far this plan has worked perfectly. And barring any major setbacks, Texas will be sitting at the QB position for the foreseeable future.

Check out the full episode of Subpar below.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Publisher

Zephyr Melton is an editorial assistant at GOLF.com, where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Before joining the GOLF team, he attended the University of Texas, followed by stints with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He helps with all teaching topics and covers amateur and women's golf. He can be reached at [email protected].