Longhorns Rise To No. 4 in AP Poll After Win vs. Alabama
Quinn Ewers walked off the field all smiles. Steve Sarkisian threw up the Horns before entering the other locker room at the place he once called home.
Texas football did the improbable, becoming the first non-conference opponent since 2007 to defeat third-ranked Alabama at home in a 34-24 bludgeoning. Sarkisian became just the third former Nick Saban disciple to beat the seven-time national champion and the first to do it on his own turf.
Most Longhorns fans would have accepted being ranked in the AP Poll's top 10. Instead, Texas (2-0) appeared at No. 4 on the post-Week 2 poll standings, garnering two first-place votes.
"What this game served for coming in here was going to be a benchmark and a barometer of what we're capable of, and what the potential is of this team," Sarkisian said postgame. "To come in here knowing that in the last 53 games Alabama was 52-1 in this stadium, and now, to come in here and get the win in the fashion that we did, I thought we played a dominating brand of football in all three phases. We have the potential to do something special this year."
Ewers dazzled under center, going 24-of-38 for 349 yards and three touchdowns. He never wavered under the pressure of facing the college football giants, responding with a right hook and a score on each ensuing drive following an Alabama (1-1) touchdown.
Texas' pass-catchers produced in the open field. Tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders posted a team-high 114 yards on five catches. Former Georgia receiver AD Mitchell delivered big against the Crismon Tide -- again, hauling in three catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-sealer with 8:39 in the fourth quarter.
Ewers continued to target Xavier Worthy deep, who kickstarted the scoring in the second quarter with a 44-yard touchdown. Worthy finished the evening with five catches for 75 yards.
© Aaron E. Martinez, USA TODAY
"We have a ton of respect for Alabama, and I know how well they're coached. I know how hard they play," Sarkisian said. "I think it just shows a lot about what we're capable of. Like I said coming into this game, this game isn't going to define our season. We have 10 regular-season games left."
The Crimson Tide bent but only opened the floodgates to a blood bath in Titletown. Jalen Milroe made big plays passing and running, but he also was picked off twice on risky decisions. Jahdae Barron notched his first pick of the season on Alabama's opening drive, leading to a Bert Auburn 22-yard field goal.
Jerrin Thompson jumped a route intended in for Kobe Pretince in the fourth quarter, leading to an Ewers 7-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell. Milroe finished 14-of-27 for 255 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
"This was a test for us," Saban said. "I told the players early in the week that this was going to be a test, that we were playing a really good team and that we would find out where we were as a team.
"And we obviously didn't do very well. But it's the midterm, it's not the final."
Georgia and Michigan remained in the top two spots after securing wins over Ball State and UNLV, respectively. Florida State, which dominated then-No. 5 LSU in the season opener, moved up one spot after a 66-13 victory over Southern Miss.
The Longhorns return to Royal-Memorial Stadium next Saturday to face Wyoming at 7 p.m.
