On Thursday, we learned that Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers will start on Saturday. Without question, it is the best news of the week for the team.
Ewers returns two weeks after spraining his AC joint in his throwing shoulder. How he made the faster than expected recovery is unclear, but his return is a huge boost to the offense if he is truly ready to play.
We have written extensively on Ewers’ impact on this team. In his absence, careless decision making at quarterback nearly squandered a 20-point second half lead last week.
What Ewers brings goes beyond the stat sheet, but one area gives the Longhorns a particularly strong chance to win consistently. The second year starter often does not turn the ball over. In two games, backup Maalik Murphy equaled Ewers’ interception total on the season (3). Murphy could have had several more turnovers in that span.
Ewers brings more in the way of efficiency as well. On the season, he has completed 70.9% of his passes with a QBR of 77.7.
In contrast, Murphy has completed 55.7% of passing attempts with a QBR of 45.6. The second year backup gave Texas enough to win the last two games, but still appeared to be a work in progress. The Longhorns now need their starter.
Ewers will look to keep Texas in the win column on Saturday against the TCU Horned Frogs at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
🚨BREAKING: Texas QB Quinn Ewers will return from injury and start vs. TCU this weekend, per @InsideTexas.
Details: https://t.co/S29ILD1CJ6 pic.twitter.com/DMC0Ssng2s
— On3 (@On3sports) November 9, 2023