Steve Sarkisian names Quinn Ewers QB1 and feels "very comfortable with his ability to operate the offense" versus TCU
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian announced Thursday during his regular Zoom with local media that Quinn Ewers will start at quarterback for the No. 7 Longhorns on Saturday versus TCU. That news was welcome not just for Sarkisian and Ewers, but for all involved with the 8-1 Longhorns.
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“We’re obviously, as a team, excited about that,” Sarkisian said. “He’s had a great week of practice. I feel very comfortable with his ability to operate the offense. I think he, his family, (and) our medical team feel very good about where he’s at health wise. We’re looking forward to having him back.”
Asked if there were any limits on Ewers during practice this week, Sarkisian said Ewers was “not limited at all. He looked great to me today.”
Ewers, who left Texas’ win over Houston on October 21 due to a shoulder issue, returns just in time for a November stretch run the Longhorns haven’t been a part of in some time. Texas has Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff aspirations, and Ewers is a key part of Texas’ efforts to reach its lofty goals.
In order to get to a point where he’s able to play, it took a significant amount of work with trainers and members of the UT medical staff. Sarkisian commended Ewers for doing everything he needed to do physically during his absence from live action, and also for his work as an engaged teammate
“I thought his approach to the injury was very professional,” Sarkisian said. “He did the work needed from a rehab standpoint. He stayed very engaged with the team and with us offensively. He was wearing the headset in-game on the sideline, hearing the play-calls, hearing the adjustments so that when he really came back to practice this week, it didn’t feel like there was a lot of rust not only physically, but mentally.
“I thought he got stronger as the week went on really throwing the ball. He went out the last two days, and I didn’t feel like there was a throw he couldn’t make. He made all the throws in a very comfortable fashion, and I thought he managed the gameplan really well.”
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Ewers’ return bumps Maalik Murphy back to his second-string role. Sarkisian commended Murphy’s efforts during Ewers’ two-game absence, efforts which weren’t always perfect but resulted in two Longhorn wins. Plus, he emphasized how Murphy should be ready to return to action should UT need him.
“He played some pretty good football for us, and he should be proud of that,” Sarkisian said. “He’s setting himself up for what the future can be, but that future can be Saturday night. What I’m telling him is you’ve got to stay ready. You’ve got to stay prepared. You’ve got to stay focused. You’ve got to stay locked into the plan, like he always does.”
Sarkisian hopes that won’t be the case in Fort Worth on Saturday. He hopes to see Ewers play and play well, something he’s been able to see most of the 2023 campaign.
“For him, it’s just about keeping his poise and composure, staying level headed, and keeping his focus,” Sarkisian said.
