Steve Sarkisian 'Couldn't Have Asked For Much More' Out Of Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered what was described as a 'grade 2 AC sprain' in his throwing shoulder just three weeks ago in the Longhorns' narrow win over the Houston Cougars.
On Saturday night vs. the TCU Horned Frogs, to the surprise of many, Ewers made his triumphant return to the lineup, leading the Longhorns to a 29-26 win, and moving them them 9-1 on the season.
And while it wasn't a perfect outing by any stretch, Ewers battled through the pain and made the plays when it mattered most.
"Quinn, coming off of injury, I don't know if I could have asked for much more," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said after the game. "I thought he stood in the pocket. I thought he made some throws in critical moments."
The first big moment of the game from Ewers came in the first half, when hit connected with Adonai Mitchell for a six-yard back shoulder fade in the end zone, giving the Longhorns a 19-6 lead in the second quarter.
But perhaps the most critical moment of the game came late in the fourth quarter, with the Longhorns attempting to seal the win, dropping back and hitting Mitchell on a very similar play, ostensibly sealing the game for Texas.
Quinn Ewers warming up for the Texas Longhorns at Amon G. Carter Stadium before the matchup vs. the TCU Horned Frogs.
© Ricardo B. Brazziell, Austin American-Statesman
This time, it was on a 35-yard back shoulder fade on 3rd and 12 with under two minutes to go in regulation, with Mitchell making a tremendous adjustment on the ball in the process to secure the catch.
“I saw one-on-one to (Mitchell) and I thought, just go give him a shot and usually it works out in our favor, and it did tonight.," Ewers said. "So it was pretty cool. Pretty cool for him to come down with that ball and, to get the win here again.”
Ultimately, Ewers finished the game by completing 22 of 33 passes for 317 yards and one score, with one interception.
Was it his best outing as a Longhorn? No, far from it in fact. Would the Longhorns have been better off giving Ewers one more week to heal? Maybe.
Ewers was far from 100 percent, and at times, looked like he was struggling to push the ball down the field with the same amount of velocity as usual.
And there were certainly throws that Ewers attempted on Saturday night that perhaps Maalik Murphy or Arch Manning would have had an easier time completing.
That said, Ewers did what championship leaders of top programs do - he battled through the pain.
“Yeah, it was great to be back out there," Ewers said. "I just felt like when I went in there, I was just as comfortable as when I left. So I was just fired up to be back out there. Couldn’t think the Lord enough when you take us through it.”
And it was the kind of gutsy performance out of a player that builds trust and leadership within a roster, and eventually, breeds championships.
