How calm Quinn Ewers led a Texas takedown of Alabama

Alex Scarborough, ESPN

• Personnel WriterSep 10, 2023, 02:30 AM ET Close Covers the SEC.Joined ESPN
• in 2012.
• Graduate of Auburn University.TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– Texas upset Alabama 34-24 on

  Saturday night, and Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford could not let the event pass without discovering quarterback Quinn Ewers on the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. It took a minute to find the author of the Longhorns ‘most significant win in more than a decade, however when Ford discovered Ewers, he pulled him in close for a huge bear hug and a quick word.”Helluva game,” he informed Ewers. “You got more to go win. “Ford let Ewers go delight in

  the moment that had actually been such a very long time coming. It felt excellent seeing Ewers ‘success, Ford stated, “Since all that s– individuals have actually been talking about him.” Ah, yes, that. Ewers definitely has collected more than his reasonable share of critics. And oddly enough, a number of them were Texas fans in the beginning when he withdrawed his commitment in 2020 and signed with Ohio State. The theory went that as the first college player to sign a $1 million name, image and likeness deal, he was doing nothing more than chasing the money. However then he left Columbus after one season, and Buckeyes fans got their turn at heckling him. Back to Texas he went– and under the microscope that every Longhorns’quarterback gets dealt with to.Maybe his mullet made him an easy target too. Who understands? He cut it off this summer season. Quarterback Quinn Ewers provided a long-awaited signature win for Texas in Week 2 at Alabama. AP Photo/Vasha Hunt In either case, it made what happened here on Saturday night all the more special. Since when it felt like momentum was slipping away– after Alabama scored a goal and secured a 2-point conversion to cut the result in 3 in the fourth quarter– it was Ewers who calmly entered the huddle.A year ago, he left the Alabama game with an injury and enjoyed helplessly from far away as the lead slipped away.This time, he was in control.This time, he turned to his colleagues and stated, “Let’s go win. “And they did.Seven plays later on, Ewers put the final nail in

  the Crimson Tide’s coffin with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Adonai Mitchell. His line: a sterling 24 for 38

  passing for 349 yards and 3 goals without any interceptions.Texas got its long-awaited signature win, and Ewers got vindication.Forget the injury

  . Forget battling with Hudson Card for the starting job. Forget the addition of first-class Arch Manning throughout the offseason.Ewers conquered all that and more.”It’s been a long road, and he played a heckuva game,” Longhorns athletic director Chris Del Conte said.Even Vince Young needed to stand and applaud.

  “The entire world was against him; it protested all chances,”the Longhorns legend said.”I’m really proud of him.”Not just that.Editor’s Picks 2 Related”We are not done

  yet,” Young said.From the outdoors, there were

  plenty of questions about whether Ewers might bring Texas back to nationwide prominence. But internally, there was belief, which is why colleagues delighted in Ewers ‘success more than he did.” Quinn’s a dog,”veteran protective lineman T’Vondre Sweat said.”I’m not shocked.”Neither was Mitchell.”

  I think this is y’

  all’s very first

  time seeing it,

  “he said.” So I guess it’s brand-new

  to y’ all, but we have actually always thought in him.”Steve Sarkisian always thought in Ewers ‘talent too. But what Ewers revealed Saturday– a total command of the offense, the ability to rapidly work through his reads and be definitive– was an outcome of his preparation leading up to the game, the Texas coach said.Work like that every week and the sky’s the limitation.

  “I think it can serve as a springboard for Quinn if he can recreate the routines best Sunday through Friday to get himself prepared,”

  Sarkisian said.For his part, Ewers tried to keep the win in point of view, turning the attention back to his colleagues– to their preparation, to the play of the offending line, to the incredible catches made by the broad receivers.Did this represent redemption for him?”I wouldn’t say redemption,”Ewers stated skeptically.He didn’t bite when asked whether the game” legitimized”his development.But the signal-caller did say it was great to finish what the Longhorns began against Alabama in 2015. “It was incredible to come in here and do what we did,”Ewers said.What was

  unique, Ewers described, was seeing his parents later– their smiles and how” fired up they were.””It’s certainly going to be a minute I’m going to remember permanently,”he stated, permitting himself simply a bit

  of reflection.”Yeah, it’s going to be quite cool to review.” Play like he did against Alabama and he’ll make more memories.Saturday’s efficiency silenced his critics.Now comes the fun part:

  making fans.