Steve Sarkisian credits Quinn Ewers' composure, patience during injury rehab
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has been sidelined for the Longhorns ever since week 2 when he suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter of their matchup against No. 1 Alabama. That was surely the biggest stage the freshman has played on in his collegiate career, and according to Inside Texas and ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Ewers will be making his return from injury this weekend on an even bigger stage, as the Longhorns take on rival Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry showdown.
Texas has gone 2-2 since Ewers’ injury, as he’s been rehabbing an SC sprain in his shoulder for the past four weeks, and head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke about his quarterback’s mental makeup throughout his injury process.
“Quinn is a very even-keeled guy, he’s not overly emotional, I think he takes things in stride as they come, but yet he’s highly competitive,” Sarkisian said. “I give him a lot of credit throughout this process of staying engaged.”
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Ewers may not have been able to practice and improve his play during his injury, but Sarkisian spoke on other areas he has improved and taken strides in during his month away from play.
“We pushed him and have been pushing him for the last month, and so on that aspect of it I think it’s been good for him because he’s made really good progress, not only with his health, but I think schematically as well,” Sarkisian said.
Ewers has only played in four quarters of football this season for the Longhorns, but did play well in them, throwing for 358 yards and two touchdowns. He will definitely be looking to add to his stat totals and the Texas win totals in his return, and hopefully for Longhorn fans, Sarkisian is right, and he can elevate his game and the Longhorns through the second half of the season starting with one of the most storied rivalry games in all of college football.
Quinn Ewers is expected to start Saturday’s Red River Rivalry game vs Oklahoma
Could Quinn Ewers be back in action for Texas in the most dramatic fashion this weekend, returning for the Red River Showdown?
According to Inside Texas and Pete Thamel of ESPN, that looks to be the case — Ewers is expected to start against Oklahoma.
“Ewers will start at quarterback for the Longhorns versus the Oklahoma Sooners, sources told Inside Texas,” wrote Eric Nahlin of Inside Texas. “Pete Thamel was first to report.”
Moreover, Ewers has been out with a shoulder injury over the last couple of games, and backup quarterback Hudson Card has filled in admirably. Giving Thamel’s report some legs was an update from Texas coach Steve Sarkisian earlier on Thursday, where revealed some interesting information regarding his quarterback duo’s health.
“Both guys have prepared very well. Both of them had a really good week of preparation. Like I said, I think both of them are probably about as healthy as they’ve been in about a month,” stated Sarkisian.
“I think Quinn has had to do it from a rehab prospective off the field, Hudson has kind of had to play through his injury. So I feel very confident with both guys going into Saturday.”
Continuing, Ewers started the first two games for the Longhorns before exiting early in the game against No. 1 Alabama. Card took over and nearly led Texas to an upset win in the process.
In a game and change this season, Ewers has gone 25-of-36 passing for 359 yards and two touchdowns. He threw one interception.
Card, playing in his stead, has led Texas to a pair of wins over UTSA and West Virginia, while dropping a 37-34 overtime heart-breaker at Texas Tech. He is 74-of-107 passing for 923 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.
Regardless of if it’s Quinn Ewers or Hudson Card on the field against Oklahoma, Texas and Steve Sarkisian will be wanting to leave the field victorious. However, Ewers returning to the lineup could give the Longhorns the jolt they’ve needed.