DALLAS — Texas security Jahdae Barron discovered a tank high coated in pictures of quarterback Quinn Ewers on Instagram and knew instantly he needed to have it. Having ordered it earlier than the Longhorns’ Week 2 win over Michigan, Barron stored it in his again pocket for the most effective second to interrupt it out. Ewers’ return for the Purple River Rivalry felt proper.
“It was good to put on the day he will get again,” Barron mentioned following a 34-3 dismantling. “He was 20 for 29, 200 yards. We love him. We love him.”
Ask anybody across the program and you will get the identical reply: Quinn is Texas’ quarterback. The crew believes in him. For followers, nonetheless, the reply has been rather less emphatic.
Whereas Texas was in the end in a position to draw back from Oklahoma, Ewers’ play was initially lackluster. For less than the third time since 2023, Ewers failed to achieve 200 yards passing (Barron rounded up, Ewers completed with 199 yards). He beforehand didn’t eclipse that complete in opposition to Texas Tech and Wyoming as a result of he was pulled early in decisive wins.
The primary quarter in opposition to the Sooners was particularly tough. The fourth-year participant related on solely 3 of 5 passes for 13 yards and an interception. The Longhorns didn’t get a primary down within the interval and Oklahoma arrange two scoring alternatives off the sluggish begin.
“Total, I feel I must play higher … I ought to have positively made these throws,” Ewers mentioned. “I am not going to say it is rust as a result of I’ve practiced the final two weeks. That is simply solely on me.”
Ewers could not admit it, however the rust was apparent from the press field of the Cotton Bowl. From the beginning, Oklahoma confused him with strain seems, and he was tentative getting the ball out. Maybe probably the most egregious was a short-armed throw to WR Isaiah Bond with strain in his face that may have gone for a landing if the go was on track.
Frankly, Texas might need performed higher in opposition to Oklahoma with touted backup quarterback Arch Manning within the lineup. In 10 quarters of motion after Ewers’ stomach harm this 12 months, Manning accounted for 10 touchdowns and compiled 888 complete yards.
Finally, although, Ewers is the current at Texas for a purpose.
The previous No. 1 recruit led Texas to its first Large 12 championship in 15 years and a visit to the School Soccer Playoff final season. He almost outdueled Michael Penix Jr. within the Sugar Bowl semifinal, simply lacking on a possible game-winning throw. He is an murderer within the quick and intermediate passing recreation and creates mismatches together with his consistency. Getting him again to 100% provides Texas its finest likelihood to win, even when it has to work by way of some rust.
Most importantly, Ewers has been at his finest in massive video games. In a highway win in opposition to Michigan, he decimated the Wolverines for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Final season at Alabama, he threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns in opposition to a Nick Saban-led protection.
Manning performed properly in opposition to UTSA, ULM and Mississippi State, however no coach within the nation is throwing away the expertise and management Ewers brings to the desk for a freshman.
The opposite facet of the Purple River Rivalry was an ideal instance why. Oklahoma freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. performed properly in opposition to Tennessee and Auburn. In opposition to Texas, nonetheless, he was suffocated and threw for simply 148 yards on 4.9 yards per try. Oklahoma’s offense failed to achieve the top zone within the rivalry for the second time in three years. When the Sooners had veteran quarterback Dillon Gabriel main the way in which final season, he made all the proper performs to key the upset.
And after his sluggish begin, Ewers accomplished 71% of his passes for 186 yards and a landing over the ultimate three quarters whereas Texas went on a 34-0 run. Within the decisive 21-0 run over the second quarter, he threw for 109 yards, together with a pass-back landing to tight finish Gunner Helm. Ewers later rushed for an additional.
Ewers completely must be higher in opposition to No. 5 Georgia within the largest recreation at Darrell Ok. Royal Stadium since 2006. The matchup might show to be a play-in for the SEC Championship Recreation and will launch Ewers again into the Heisman dialogue.
Extra importantly, Texas comes into the second half of the season with respectable nationwide championship aspirations. The final redshirt freshman to guide his crew to a nationwide championship was Trevor Lawrence in 2018. Each different since then was an upperclassman. Exterior of ex-Alabama QB Mac Jones, who waited his flip for 3 years, each title-winning quarterback was a multi-year starter, too.
Ewers provides the ‘Horns the most effective likelihood to win. Wager on expertise.
