Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers gets to start against Michigan in The Big House after all

Third-year Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was on the visiting Ohio State sideline in 2021 when the Wolverines began their three game winning streak over the Buckeyes. Since then, Michigan has made three straight playoffs, including winning it all last season.

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Also, long since, Ewers transferred to the University of Texas after the 2021 season.

It’s been quite the circuitous path for Ewers to start against Michigan in Ann Arbor. After initially committing to Texas in August 2020, he de-committed just a couple months ago. Who can blame him, it was a tumultuous time in Austin. He would go on to commit to the Buckeyes that November.

Things took an interesting turn when he enrolled a full year early, forsaking his senior year of high school at Southlake Carroll. That’s what put him on the sideline for his first trip to Michigan.

As far as football goes, that was a lifetime ago. Now, he’s nearing 30 starts for his ‘original’ school and looking to duplicate the success he and the Longhorns experienced on the road in Tuscaloosa last season.

On Wednesday he met with the media to discuss myriad topics before the big road trip.

On his routine:

“I’m not changing anything up. I’m treating it like it’s any other game. I don’t like to change things up.”

Challenges Michigan’s defense presents:

“I think first off they’re coached really well and they play real hard and they bring a physical brand of defensive football.”

Has he told the guys what to expect in the Big House?

“I mean, I didn’t play [media roars with laughter]. It’s going to be a good atmosphere. A bunch of the guys went to Bama last year and kind of know that. I’ve been in a hard stadium in that aspect. If we can play our game I think we’ll be good.”

Does the Bama win offer confidence?

“That definitely helped us a lot, going into their place and being able to get the job done the way we did it was definitely motivation for us.”

On helmet communication in a loud stadium:

“I think it’s definitely going to help for sure. For sure.”

Do teammates recognize his calm demeanor in a big atmosphere:

“I think so, or at least I like to think it does. That’s why I act the way I act, just stay even-keeled and not get too high with the highs and too low with the lows.”

On wide receiver DeAndre Moore:

“He’s a team guy. He’ll do anything for the team to win and it’s that simple. He’s a good player.” 

How he doesn’t skip a beat regardless of receiver he’s throwing to:

“I think, just the work we put in during the week. Preparing for game day. We take pride in that. I think we’re the hardest practicing team in the country and I think that goes to show the chemistry is there and the timing routes are there.”

On right tackle Cameron Williams:

“I think he’s matured and he wants to be great. He wants to succeed at this level so he can ultimately go get paid at the next level.”

Texas’ bunker mentality: 

“It’s just us, that’s why we built the culture that we have and why Coach Sark is so big on all that stuff, for these types of away games.”

Does he have to pay extra attention to which receivers are in the game?

“Yeah, for sure. I think you definitely have to know who’s in the game but at the same time I think they do a great job of following what the install says and not changing things up too much and being in the right place at the right time.”

Will they learn a lot about the offense this week?

“We’re definitely going to learn a lot about ourselves, this whole team in general, going into this game. I couldn’t be more excited and grateful for the opportunity that we get for these two storied programs to meet head to head.” 

What stands out about Michigan’s D-line?

“They got a good twitch, they’re bigger guys, they’ve played a good amount of football, like I said, I think they’re twitchy and physical.”

How much has he worked on footwork and ability to manipulate defensive backs?

“Starting on the second question I think that just goes to show how more comfortable I am within the offense, how I can manipulate a certain defender. And then yeah, I’ve worked a lot on trying to stay more calm in the pocket.” 

What do you like about DeAndre Moore?

“I think it was good for him to kind of see how J-Whit (Jordan Whittington) went about his business. Him getting to sit behind and just watch what J-Whit was able to do. He really cares a lot. That goes to show how hard he tries at blocking, how hard he works. He’s definitely one of the hardest working guys on the team.”

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Has he heard from any of his old Ohio State teammates?

“I have not, not yet. We’ll see.”

Ohio State is down bad against Michigan, they’ll probably take whatever they can at this point.