Quinn Ewers' improvement stands as one of the biggest reasons behind Texas' 5-1 start

Most of the conversation surrounding Texas’ recent loss to Oklahoma has centered on goal line offense, red zone offense, and two-minute defense, and with good reason considering those were the primary determinants in the game. Another was quarterback play, with Dillon Gabriel stealing the show once and for all in the final 1:17.

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But Quinn Ewers‘ efforts, not only in the Cotton Bowl but across the entire season, have been a leading factor in Texas’ status as a Big 12 championship contender and in the College Football Playoff picture.

After an abysmal start to the contest featuring two interceptions in the Longhorns’ first two series plus a fumble later in the first half, Ewers recovered to go 31-for-37 for 346 yards and a score. That was a continuation of the far more consistent and high-quality football Ewers has displayed all year as the Longhorns’ quarterback, which stands in stark contrast to the up-and-down nature of his play as a redshirt freshman in 2022.

“For any quarterback if you throw two picks your first two drives you’re on the field, that can rattle you pretty good,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday. “The response he showed to, at one point, complete 19 passes in a row in that game I thought was really tremendous.

“Under some duress, sacks, he had a fumble in there, he got hit pretty good scrambling, but I thought the poise and composure he showed was indicative of a guy who is growing in confidence, who is maturing, and definitely a guy I know we can count on at a high level here in the second half of the season.”

Ewers’ offseason strides both on and off the field during became the leading topic of discussion surrounding the Longhorns. Without Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, more offensive responsibility was expected to fall on Ewers as would more leadership responsibility.

What that meant was the quarterback who completed under 60 percent of his passes last year and was asked to do very little at the end of the 2022 regular season would need to be able to carry the load when his team needed it.

His statistics six games into the season reveal he’s been more than adept, and often excellent, at bearing that burden.

In his first six games last season (five games plus the sizzling quarter of play versus Alabama) Ewers was 100-for-173 (58%) for 1336 yards with 13 touchdowns over five interceptions. That start included his first great performance against Oklahoma, but it also included an awful day with three interceptions versus Oklahoma State. Plus, he was not a factor at all in the run game, not adding a touchdown on the ground through his first half-dozen appearances.

This year, he’s markedly better in almost every single statistical category. Halfway through the season, he’s 128-for-184 (70%) for 1704 yards with 11 touchdowns to three interceptions. His QBR is 81.1, good for 15th nationally, and he’s used his legs to reach the end zone five times.

One other noticeable area of statistical improvement? Yards per attempt. Last season the Longhorns picked up 7.72 yards on average whenever Ewers threw the ball. This year? That number is 9.3.

Another aspect where Ewers has stepped his game up, as noted by Pro Football Focus, is in throws 10-19 yards down the field. He’s completed 73 percent of those 56 tosses this year, good for 791 yards and a score, plus one interception. Last year? He completed just 50 percent of those throws that are a key part of the Sarkisian offense.

In addition, he’s played well when there’s been pressure on him. This season when blitzed, Ewers is 52-for-72 for 592 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception. He’s just as good when “kept clean,” completing 72 percent of his passes.

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His legs have provided the offense with a new method to pick up yardage. Designed quarterback runs are not called often by Sarkisian, but Ewers has scrambled and moved the chains a number of times and has scored five rushing touchdowns. Last year, he only ran into the end zone one time.

Despite his great play, there remains room for growth, especially in deep passing. That said, those opportunities have not been there as often this year due to opponents respecting his improved ability, which has set him up to succeed in the intermediate game and on the ground.

Awards might not be in his future despite his notable improvement. Attention on the conference’s signal-callers now focuses on Gabriel due to his performance in Dallas and in the Sooners’ five other wins. Plus West Coast quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, and Caleb Williams are posting historic numbers, not to mention Jayden Daniels‘ standout play for LSU.

That shouldn’t diminish from what Ewers has provided the Longhorns. Texas needed No. 3 to be a far improved quarterback in 2023. Especially when compared to last year, he’s been that and likely more.