Texas Football: UT gets big boost with Quinn Ewers starting vs. TCU

Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian delivered big news for the fans on the Forty Acres during his Thursday press conference on Nov. 9. Sarkisian announced that redshirt sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers will get the start for Texas against the TCU Horned Frogs on the road in Fort Worth on Nov. 11.

This comes after Sarkisian upgraded Ewers’ status from “week-to-week” to “day-to-day” in his Monday press conference on Nov. 6.

"“It will be great to have No. 3 back at quarterback on Saturday night.”"

Ewers suffered a Grade 2 AC joint sprain on his right (throwing) shoulder in Texas’ Week 8 win on the road over the Houston Cougars. He left the game against Houston in the second half, which meant redshirt freshman quarterback Maalik Murphy took over to finish the contest.

Texas football QB Quinn Ewers getting his first start since Week 8 vs. TCU

Murphy started the last two games for the Longhorns in Ewers’ absence due to the shoulder injury. He led the Longhorns to a 2-0 record in two home contests against the BYU Cougars on Oct. 28 and the No. 23 Kansas State Wildcats on Nov. 4.

In his two starts, Murphy completed 35-of-62 pass attempts for 418 yards, three passing touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Sarkisian comments on Ewers’ week of practice leading up to the TCU game

In his Thursday press conference, Sark said that Ewers had a “great week of practice” and that the team is “looking forward to having him back”.

"“He’s had a great week of practice, feel very comfortable with his ability to operate the offense. The key is his family, and our medical team feel very good about where he’s at health-wise. And so we’re looking forward to having him back.”"

Horns247 reported on Nov. 9 (paid content) that Ewers took the bulk of the first-team practice reps on Nov. 8 ahead of Murphy.

Ewers’ return gives Texas a boost ahead of back-to-back road games in the Big 12

The mid-November slate poses back-to-back road challenges in Big 12 play against TCU on Nov. 11 and then against the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames on Nov. 18. Texas must win both these games on the road to ensure it stays atop the Big 12 standings and stays on track for a spot in Arlington, TX, in the championship game on Dec. 2.

Ewers was having a career season for the Longhorns as a much-improved quarterback in the first seven games before he went down with an injury against Houston. He ranked in the top three in the Big 12 among quarterbacks in passing yards, touchdowns, passer efficiency rating, and completion percentage in Week 8.

Ewers has performed particularly well in road games against Power Five competition, leading the Longhorns to a 3-0 record in true road contests this season. That includes a win over the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide on the road in Tuscaloosa in Week 2.

This is a big game for Ewers, who will return to the DFW Metroplex to play at Amon G. Carter Stadium this weekend, which is very close to where he grew up and played high school football in Southlake, TX.

TCU defeated Texas last season when these two teams met at DKR in Austin. The Frogs have won two of the last three meetings in this series and seven of the last nine. But the Longhorns won the last contest against TCU in Fort Worth in 2021.

Texas is a 12.5-point favorite over TCU (per Caesars Sportsbook) after opening as a 10-point favorite in Week 11.