Arch Manning grandfather Saints career: Why doesn't he look back fondly?

Texas Longhorns and Washington Huskies meet in the Sugar Bowl, while Arch Manning looks to continue his family's football legacy.

This weekend, the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans will feature a face-off between the Texas Longhorns and the Washington Huskies at the Caesars Superdome, with the winner earning a chance to advance to the NCAA National Championship Game.

Even though he won't be playing, Texas quarterback Arch Manning is back in the city and ready to suit up in the same stadium where his grandfather, Archie Manning, played from 1971 to 1982. Manning expressed his admiration for his grandfather, acknowledging the historical significance of playing in the same venue but also reflecting on the challenges his grandfather faced during his time with the Saints.

While official sack statistics were not kept until 1982, research from Pro Football Reference has revealed that Archie Manning set and broke the NFL record for sacks in a single season three times. He faced 40 sacks for a loss of 332 yards in 1971, 53 sacks for 347 lost yards in 1972, and a personal-high 49 sacks for 390 yards in 1975, before missing the entire 1976 season due to a shoulder injury.

Looking ahead, Manning will continue as the backup to Quinn Ewers at Texas next season, unless Ewers decides to declare for the 2023 NFL draft following the playoffs. Manning, a local favorite who excelled at Isidore Newman High School, is patiently awaiting his opportunity at the college level. As the son of Cooper Manning, he aspires to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and uncles Peyton and Eli, aiming to carve out his own successful career in professional football.