Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers had a memorable performance in Wednesday’s Peach Bowl against the Arizona State Sun Devils. The maligned starter found himself staring down a 4th and 13 with the season on the line. Ewers walked to the line to see Arizona State showing a zero blitz. The Texas signal caller checked into max protection and lofted a 28-yard bomb into the end zone to his top target Matthew Golden. The pass fell safely into Golden’s hands to extend the game and preserve Texas’ title push.
The play left a strong impression on ESPN analyst and former Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky, who shared the following thoughts on Ewers’ clutch play. “Quinn Ewers’ composure saved Texas’ season,” Orlovsky said. “You know, after that fourth-quarter interception and the mounting comeback by Arizona State, he goes 11 of 14 for 160 yards.”
The stat line doesn’t tell the whole story. Orlovsky discussed Ewers’ response with his team’s back against the wall. “4th and 13,” Orlovsky recounted. “He gets to the line of scrimmage, he sees the blitz coming, he controls everything, calms everybody on the offense down, changes the whole play.”
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) runs with the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn Images Brett Davis Imagn Images The fourth down conversion involved Ewers launching a post route with the game on the line. Orlovsky discussed Ewers and head coach Steve Sarkisian’s business-as-usual approach to the pivotal moment.
“I was really fascinated sitting there watching it, Sark was just calling fourth down like (it was) first and 10.” Texas’ calm demeanor paid off with an improbable comeback win. Ewers still has his flaws. His fourth quarter interception and earlier misses contributed in part to the Longhorns’ inability to win the game in regulation.
Even so, when Texas needed him to make a play, Ewers made it. The Longhorns will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff Semifinal.
