Who will start at quarterback for Texas and Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl?
Injuries have complicated the quarterback situation for both the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners ahead of the Red River Shootout this weekend in Dallas, though in different manners.
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Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday that they are “healthier than we’ve ever been since the start of the season” at the quarterback position. That isn’t limited to Quinn Ewers, who hasn’t played since the first quarter of the Alabama game due to a shoulder injury. It includes back-up Hudson Card, who has helped Texas to a 2-2 record since taking over for Ewers against the Crimson Tide despite suffering from a high ankle sprain in Week 2.
However, he declined to name a starter.
“We’ll see how the week goes,” Sarkisian said Monday.
The Longhorn head coach and play-caller has been reticent about the overall status of burnt orange gunslingers. Ewers hasn’t played, but has participated in practices and pregame warmups in the three games since the Alabama contest. He suits up, but is left out of the action once the game gets going.
Could that change this week? The Oklahoma game has long been reported as a possible return date for Ewers after an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. It marks the opening of the oft-reported 4-6 week window.
After the game Saturday, Sarkisian said Card received the start versus West Virginia because he was “healthier.” On Monday, Sarkisian was asked his philosophy for scenarios akin to the one he is currently facing.
“My philosophy is pretty simple: play the guy that I think gives us the best chance to be successful, whether he’s the starter, the back-up, hot hand, not.” Sarkisian said. “Whoever I think is going to give us the best chance to be successful and put us in position to win the ball game, that’s who I’ll play.”
Considering Card’s play in recent weeks, plus the glimpse of success Ewers offered against Alabama, there is a limited downside no matter who Sarkisian picks. However, he might not reveal his choice publicly until gameday.
Oklahoma is in a bleaker quarterback situation.
Sooner signal-caller Dillon Gabriel left OU’s recent loss to TCU after a illegal hit caused his head to bounce off the Amon G. Carter Stadium turf. Gabriel didn’t return to the game after the hit.
It was tough going for the Oklahoma offense with Gabriel in the game. He completed 7-of-16 passes for 126 yards. It was tougher without him. Backup Davis Beville was also 7-of-16 but for a meager 50 yards.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables isn’t available until Tuesday, but Sooner offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby spoke with reporters in Norman, Okla. on Monday.
In any case, the Sooners will either play a quarterback who utilized a limited number of practice days due to the concussion protocol, or a quarterback limited in what he can do on the field.
That’s a far different scenario than the choice ahead of Sarkisian, and one the Longhorns likely feel good about after Card’s recent performances.
Gabriel’s status is worth following this week. The same is true of Ewers’ status.
Either way, it creates intrigue at the quarterback position for both sides of an important rivalry and conference matchup.
