Quinn Ewers: Texas is going to work 'as hard as we can' to be back in Sugar Bowl next season

Texas’ season came to an end in the Sugar Bowl on Monday with their loss to Washington in one of two semifinals in the College Football Playoff. Still, just a short time after the defeat in New Orleans, QB Quinn Ewers shared his intention of getting the Longhorns back to the very same spot come next year.

Ewers spoke about the Southeastern Conference’s bid in the Sugar Bowl in 2024 following the 37-31 loss to the Huskies. He gets that a lot can take place over the next year, although his obvious goal is to bring his team back to where they were on Monday night.

“I mean I guess I’m a human being. I understand what’s ahead,” said Ewers. “But, at the same time, there’s a long ways between here and a year from now. A lot can happen in 365 days.”

Even so, a return to The Big Easy is the mission for Ewers from the Longhorns’ new home next fall. They realize they have some unfinished business after Monday’s defeat. That leaves them the next few months to prepare themselves for a potential return to next year’s playoff.

“I know that we’re going to work as hard as we can to try to be back,” said Ewers. “That’s all we can really do. Attack the offseason the right way and just continue to build this team to what’s capable of being.”

While Texas was alive until the very final play, the fact of the matter is Washington had them right where they wanted them for most of the second half.

After a 21-21 tie at half, the Huskies led for the duration of the final quarters inside Caesars Superdome. Their margin was as much as 13 at one point to start the fourth. They did leave the door open for a late shot by the Longhorns, even to the last second. In the end, though, they just couldn’t complete the comeback.

Texas dug themselves into that hole which was eventually insurmountable in more ways than one.

On one hand, they couldn’t oppose the Washington offense. While there’s no shame in being the next team that Michael Penix Jr. sliced up, they just couldn’t get the ball back either. They ended up losing the time of possession by almost a full quarter.

On the other hand, miscues didn’t help their case either. Texas doubled the Huskies up in penalties on the night with 10. They also had one more turnover with two total, both of which came in crucial spots in the second half.

Add all that up and the Longhorns just missed their opportunity to play for their first national title since 2008. Now, as they head back to The 40 Acres in preparation for the SEC next fall, Ewers and company know what they need to fix in order to come back in the 12-team playoff a year from now.