Quinn Ewers shines in Big 12 Championship game as success breeds success

ARLINGTON, Texas — There was a time over the first quarter and a half of No. 7 Texas’ decisive 49-21 win over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship game Saturday in Arlington that Longhorns’ quarterback Quinn Ewers was in zone – really in the zone.

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Ewers hit on his first dozen passes while spreading the ball around to eight different receivers. He threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers and led Texas to four scoring drives before even one of his passes hit the turf at AT&T Stadium. Even after an interception on his 14th throw of the game, Ewers did not loses confidence.

“Quinn was super locked in,” Texas receiver Jordan Whittington said. “I felt like he was in the zone today. He was unstoppable. Even when the interception came, he came right back and just kept dominating the game. He was just so on point.”

Ewers hit long passes and short passes, rolled one way and threw the other, took back a pitch from a flea-flicker and connected to receivers, running backs, the tight end and even a defensive tackle. His performance was a tour de force of skill and guile, experience and confidence, power and finesse and it overwhelmed the Oklahoma State defense.

“Quinn was lights out today,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said the win. “The biggest thing today was when the first read was there he was throwing the ball really accurately and guys were making plays. But the thing that showed up today was Quinn getting to the secondary reads and getting through progressions while still holding the ball. He was really accurate and giving guys chances to make plays.”

Ewers was named the game’s most outstanding player, breaking three title game records by netting 458 total yards (452 passing, 6 rushing), and throwing 35-for-46 with four touchdowns. He is now first all-time in yards gained (458), passing yards (452), completions (35) and tied for first in passing touchdowns (four) in the title game. 

“It felt awesome to be out there, and I was super confident,” Ewers said. “My teammates made plays and I was confident my abilities to get the ball in those guys hands. For sure, I thought back during this week on what happened last year (in a loss at Oklahoma State) where I didn’t play my best game and I had three interceptions.

“To come out here against that same group of characters and play the way I did was awesome. I played what I believe is my true game.”

Ewers’ performance was just the third 450-yard passing game in school history and first since Colt McCoy threw for 470 against UCF in 2009.

“Quinn played a fantastic game and played it confidently,” Sarkisian added. “So proud of him, you know because this is it’s been a journey for him, too. And I don’t think any of us forget some of the tough days last season, but to get to this point to have this moment today, that’s pretty special.”

One of the keys to Ewers’ success and the Longhorns’ win was their ability to start fast and not be hesitant to get the ball downfield. 

“We made a point on Monday morning about how we’re going to try to win this game and what it was going to take,” Sarkisian explained.  “We wanted to come out and start fast and throw our best punches that we had. This was not a game that we wanted to throw jabs and feel it out. We wanted to go for it. And the guys got a lot of confidence in the game plan and then they executed it.

“When they start playing like that as the play caller I have the confidence to call some things knowing they’re gonna execute in those moments.”

Ewers was the impetus, and the beneficiary, of a spectacular plan that led to a successful start and confidence that grew throughout the Longhorns’ win.

“Gosh, Texas is really explosive and on a roll right now – that’s a good football team,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. “Texas made some plays. We didn’t. They made some coaching calls. We didn’t. So I give them credit. When you get up multiple scores, you can call a game more freely and that’s what Texas was able to do.”

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Was it enough to get the Longhorns into the College Football Playoffs? Tune in Sunday afternoon for that answer.