Tag: Quinn Ewers

Sark gives Quinn Ewers injury update, ‘we will monitor him daily’

Will Quinn Ewers start against rival Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry? It isn’t 100%. Texas Longhorns coach has the injury update.

Since the Mississippi State game, it has been expected that injured Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers would be back for the Red River Rivalry.

Ewers strained his oblique during Week 3’s game against UTSA and has been out since. Backup Arch Manning has been playing in Ewers place.

In his regular Monday press conference, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian gave an update on Ewers ahead of the OU Game.

“I thought he looked good coming off the bye. I think if anybody benefitted from the time off, it was probably him. Quinn worked last week for three practices. He practiced again today. We’re going to monitor him daily just to kind of see how he continues to progress. But I feel good about how he was today. I feel good about him going into Saturday, but that remains to be seen.” — Steve Sarkisian

While it does sound like Ewers is trending to start in Red River, it doesn’t sound 100%.

“If we had to play today. sure (he would start) but again, that’s why it’s important that we monitor him daily, because I want to see how he responds to extended work and what that looks like, to make sure that he’s as healthy as he can be to perform.” — Steve Sarkisian

Sark will provide more updates later in the week.

Arch Manning ranked as best quarterback in Week 5 by PFF College

Due to his efforts, Manning received a 94.2 grade from PFF College, the highest among quarterbacks in college football

In his first career SEC start on Saturday, Arch Manning showed why the Longhorns’ future is bright. The talented freshman led Texas to its fifth win, completing 26 of his 31 passes. Due to his efforts, Manning received a 94.2 grade from PFF College, the highest among quarterbacks in college football.

As the Texas Longhorns put 35 points on the board, Manning threw for 325 yards while adding two passing touchdowns to his resume. He averaged 10.5 yards a throw and did not turn the ball over. The New Orleans native was facing his toughest test of the season and passed with flying colors.

Although Manning made headlines with his arm, he also made an impact on the ground. The Longhorns star rushed for 33 yards on six carries and found the end zone once. Although Texas failed to reach the 50-point mark for the first time in two weeks, it dominated on both sides of the ball.

Through three games this season, Manning has thrown for 900 yards and completed 55 passes. Everytime he has stepped on the field, he has looked more comfortable and continued to build excitement for what the future holds in Texas.

With Quinn Ewers expected to be fully healthy and ready to start against Oklahoma on October 12, Manning’s playing time for the rest of the season is up in the air. However, he is still a vital part of the future and could get more reps if the Longhorns continue to blow out opponents.

On Saturday, Manning showed just how good he could be, and PFF took notice.

Injury update report: Quinn Ewers expected to start against Oklahoma on Oct. 12

With an extra bye week to rest his strained oblique, starting Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is expected to start Oct. 12 vs. Oklahoma.

Texas Longhorns starting QB Quinn Ewers has missed a little more than two and a half games. But according to a new report, the junior from Southlake will be back under center for Red River.

Chip Brown of Horns247 reports, according to a source close to the situation, Ewers is on track to start against Red River Rival Oklahoma on October 12 in the Cotton Bowl.

Ewers suffered an oblique strain against UTSA on September 14. Ewers was relieved by Arch Manning against the Roadrunners. Manning has since started in Ewers place against UL Monroe and Mississippi State.

In his weekly Monday press conference, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Ewers is progressing.

“We haven’t had any setbacks. It’s been steady progress. I think he’s getting stronger and more comfortable and more confident, and so we’ll just kind of stay the course with that.” — Steve Sarkisian

Over the past two seasons, Ewers has performed well in his first game back from injury. Returning from a sternoclavicular strain in 2022, Ewers was 21 of 31 passing for 289 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-0 beating of the Sooners. In 2023, Ewers returned from missing two games with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder by going 22 of 33 for 317 yards and a touchdown in a 29-26 win at TCU.

Sark says the key is keeping the injured player involved, especially at QB.

“We always look to every player, but most notably the quarterback, when he gets injured, we want to pull him in even tighter. We want to pull him in even closer. When we’re at practice, Quinn is engaged. He’s in every meeting. He’s talking about the game plan.

Friday night before the game, we go through the call sheet with the quarterbacks, and he’s talking through different things. On Saturday, he’s wearing the earpiece. So we keep him engaged on that front.” — Steve Sarkisian

One benefit of pulling the player close and keeping a close eye on him is testing what he can handle and what he’s comfortable with even though the player might be limited some by the injury.

“Throughout the week, I’m really trying to assess the things that I think he’s most comfortable with during his various injuries along the way. What does it look like he’s most comfortable with, and if he’s going to play, I’ve already kind of listed out 10 to 15, maybe 20 things that I think he feels really good about. And we’ll probably go in that direction if he were to play so that he’s running stuff that he’s had some success with throughout the week.

As opposed to saying, ‘This looks like a great play design, it should work,’ but either he didn’t rep it because of limited reps during the week, or when he did get that rep, it didn’t look so good. The stubborn me would still call that play. The guy that tries to step back and try to put his players in the best position to be successful, goes to his bucket of the stuff that I thought he did well throughout the week.” — Steve Sarkisian

Ewers getting a full month rest before returning for the Texas-OU game was probably the best case scenario all along. Manning got valuable experience against teams Texas was heavily favored against, while Ewers got an opportunity to come back as close to 100% as possible.

Breaking: Quinn Ewers expected to miss Mississippi St., Arch Manning to get 2nd start

Quinn Ewers expected to miss Mississippi State game. Arch Manning to get his second straight start.

It looks like Quinn Ewers will miss his second straight start for the Texas Longhorns. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the Texas coaching staff is expected to sit the junior QB to assure he is fully healthy for the Oklahoma game on Oct. 12.

Thamel said the final decision will come before the final injury report, which is released 90 minutes before kickoff. But the decision is trending toward allowing Ewers to use the coming bye week to get fully healthy. By skipping Hail State, Ewers gets another full two weeks to heal.

According to Thamel’s sources, Ewers finished the week at nearly 70%. He practiced Tuesday, was limited Wednesday and ended up limited in practice on Thursday to allow him to heal.

https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1840013829691842825

Against the Bulldogs, Arch Manning will get his second career start. Manning started last week against UL Monroe. Manning had a few bumpy moments, but he did more than enough to help Texas get an easy win. Manning went 15 of 29 for 258 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Breaking: Quinn Ewers status for Mississippi State pushed to 90 minutes before game time

Quinn Ewers ‘questionable’ on the Texas Longhorns injury report, meaning decision won’t be made until 90 minutes before kickoff Saturday.

Will Texas Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs? On Friday’s official injury report, Ewers is listed as questionable.

During his Thursday media call, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian stated the status of the junior from Southlake would be decided on Friday. Sark qualified that statement by saying he wanted to give Ewers “every opportunity to show that he could play.”

By listing Ewers as questionable, the coaching staff will not have to make the decision until the final injury report before kickoff, scheduled for 3:15 p.m. CT. The final injury report for SEC teams is due 90 minutes before kickoff.

Ewers suffered an oblique strain in the second quarter of Texas’ game with UTSA. Arch Manning stepped in and accounted for five touchdowns. Manning started the next game against ULM. Manning was good, but didn’t reach the level of performance he had against the Roadrunners.

https://twitter.com/LonghornsWire/status/1839700393502056613

There are pros and cons to starting Ewers on Saturday. If Manning plays, Ewers gets a full month to rest his ab injury and should be close to 100% for the Oklahoma game in Dallas on Oct. 12. On the other hand, Ewers is the starter and the best of two solid options at QB. Texas might want to make sure it doesn’t slip up in its first SEC game.

 

 

 

 

Ewers or Manning? Who should start against Mississippi State

This isn’t about the season. Or two weeks from now in the Cotton Bowl. This is about Saturday. Specifically.

This is not about the season. This is not about two weeks from now in the Cotton Bowl or two months from now in the SEC Championship game (hopefully). This is about Saturday. Specifically. Who should start for the Texas Longhorns against Mississippi State? Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning?

It is clear Texas coach Steve Sarkisian wants to give Ewers a chance to play in the program’s first SEC conference game. Or, make Ewers think he’s getting every chance to play against the Bulldogs.

“Just want to give Quinn every opportunity to see if he’s ready to play and what he looks like,” Sark said on Thursday.

But if Ewers injury is such that the coaching staff is having to make the call 24 hours before kickoff, is it really a good idea to start him?

Manning has been good in relief, but after the ULM game, it’s pretty clear Texas’ best option at QB for 2024 is Ewers. It doesn’t seem close. Ewers is the quarterback the Longhorns want playing in Red River and against Georgia and down the stretch of the season. If he gets hurt again, Texas has an amazing backup.

https://twitter.com/LonghornsWire/status/1839365644069879824

But if you’re able to give Ewers the Mississippi State game off, with a bye week next, Ewers would have two more weeks to recover from his strained oblique. That would be a full month of rest to make sure it’s as close to 100% as possible before the meaty stretch of the schedule.

Mississippi State seems to be the worst team in the SEC. It is probably about the level of Colorado State. Maybe a tick better. The Bulldogs have also lost their starting QB for the year. They are wounded coming into Austin.

Starting Manning seems like a win-win. Ewers gets his full month of recovery. Manning gets another weak team to learn against. The coaching staff gets two QBs that are each better prepared to face Oklahoma and Georgia.

Why Steve Sarkisian is waiting to announce Texas’ starting QB vs. Mississippi State in SEC opener

It’s unclear who will start for Texas at quarterback in Week 5.

Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning? Well, for Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian, it remains undecided who will start at quarterback for the Longhorns when they make their official SEC debut against Mississippi State.

Ewers was Texas’ starting quarterback to open the season, but the Heisman Trophy contender has been dealing with an oblique strain the last couple weeks. So in Week 4 against UL Monroe, Manning was named the starter, and he didn’t disappoint, leading the Lonhorns to a 51-3 victory. His Heisman odds also skyrocketed when he replaced injured Ewers against UTSA in Week 3.

But when it comes to the Texas-Mississippi State game Saturday, Sarkisian is holding off on announcing a starter, although he previously noted that Ewers has looked good in practice, ESPN reported.

Thursday, Sarkisian explained the situation. More via ESPN:

“We’re going to decide on the quarterback thing tomorrow,” Sarkisian said. “It won’t be a secret. We’re not trying to pull the wool over anybody’s eyes. Just want to give Quinn every opportunity to see if he’s ready to play and what he looks like.”

Against UL Monroe, Manning completed 15-of-29 passes for 258 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. On the season before Ewers suffered an injury, he rocking a 73.4 completion percentage, throwing for 691 total yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions.

Both quarterbacks are clearly talented, but there’s a chance that with Ewers’ injury, they both may be out of Heisman Trophy contention.

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Ewers Injury Update: Sark still unsure of Longhorns starting QB for Mississippi State

Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian says Texas will decide Friday if Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning still start against Mississippi St.

Who will start at quarterback for the Texas Longhorns when they open SEC play against Mississippi State Saturday? Not even head coach Steve Sarkisian knows.

In his weekly Zoom call, Sark said they will decide on Friday if it will be Arch Manning again or Quinn Ewers.

“We’re going to decide on the quarterback thing tomorrow,” Sarkisian said. “It won’t be a secret. We’re not trying to pull the wool over anybody’s eyes. Just want to give Quinn every opportunity to see if he’s ready to play and what he looks like.” — Steve Sarkisian on Thursday

Sark says he’s been encouraged by what he has seen all week, even from third-string true freshman QB Trey Owens.

“I’d say he’s improved every day,” Sarkisian said on Thursday. “I think Arch has had a very good week, and I would say this: Trey Owens probably had his best practice as a Longhorn today, so that was really encouraging as well.” — Steve Sarkisian on Thursday

Earlier in the week, Sarkisian said Ewers was still ‘questionable.’

“He’s got to do enough to show me he can play. Can he execute the game plan? I kind of need to see how he responds,” Steve Sarkisian on Monday

The Bulldogs are dealing with QB issues of their own. Last week, Hail State lost its starting quarterback Blake Shapen for the season with a shoulder injury. True freshman Michael Van Buren Jr. has been named the starter for the Texas game. Sark says the lack of film on Van Buren makes it challenging for the Longhorns defense.

“It’s a small sample size. They’ve had a week now to prepare a game plan for the things that he does well, and that’s what we’re going to have to sort through and figure out. But knowing Jeff Lebby, a really good offensive mind, he’s going to put him in a good position to have some success. … Our job is to try to get him uncomfortable and we’ll see how effective we are.” — Steve Sarkisian on Thursday

Kickoff Saturday is at 3:15 p.m. CT.

Longhorns offense getting unexpected boost from Gunnar Helm

While the 2024 campaign is far from over, Helm is putting together the best season of his college career

Over the last few years, Gunnar Helm has been a steady presence in the Longhorns’ offense. In his senior year, the Colorado native has taken his game to a new level and has been a bright spot every week. While the 2024 campaign is far from over, Helm is putting together the best season of his college career.

Through four games, the Longhorns tight end has recorded 11 receptions for a career-high 197 yards. He has also added one touchdown catch to his resume, leaving him one short of matching his total from the 2023 campaign. In an offense full of explosive pieces, Helm has seen his targets increase and taken advantage of his opportunities.

While catching passes from Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers, Helm is averaging a career-high 17.9 yards a catch. That is a decent bump from last year, as he averaged 13.7 yards. The increase has partly been due to speedsters such as Ryan Wingo and Isaiah Bond, who have drawn the focus of defensive coordinators.

With the first month of the season in the books, Helm ranks third on the team in catches and receiving yards. He is one of only three Longhorns players with more than ten receptions. His rise in production has been a welcome sign.

If Helm can keep up his current play, the Longhorns should be able to hold their own in the SEC. They have already shown they can put points on the board quickly while being backed by a very good defense. That combination could lead to a national championship.

Regardless of what this team accomplished, Helm is putting together a season he will never forget.

Quinn Ewers questionable again, Sark needs QB to ‘show me he can play’

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian gave an injury update on Longhorns starting QB Quinn Ewers, he’s questionable but is practicing with team again.

For the second straight week, Texas Longhorns starting QB Quinn Ewers is questionable with a strained oblique. Ewers returned to practice this week after suffering a non-contact abdominal strain in Week 3 against UTSA.

At his weekly media availability, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said they are monitoring the Southlake junior closely.

“Quinn practice today. I would say if, again, if I had to put a report out, he’d be questionable for Saturday. But we’ll see how he goes throughout the week and monitor how he responds to tomorrow coming off of today’s practice.” — Steve Sarkisian

Sark says Ewers has to show improvement in order to play in Texas’ first ever SEC game against Mississippi State on Saturday.

“He’s got to do enough to show me he can play. Can he execute the game plan? I kind of need to see how he responds from today’s work, and then what it looks like on a Tuesday, then a Wednesday, which are pretty heavy days for him, and then how he rebounds on Thursday. It’s going to be kind of a work in progress. But today was a good start. I was actually impressed with where he was today, but that’s been his trajectory since the injury happened. I feel like he keeps getting incrementally better day by day.” — Steve Sarkisian

If Ewers can’t go against the Bulldogs, Arch Manning will get the second start of his career. Sark said he was impressed by how Manning turned things around after throwing an interception on Texas’ opening drive.

“I’ve seen a lot of young quarterbacks have a rough start, and then that rough start turns into a rough game. It was a little bit of a rough start for him, but I thought he rebounded and did some nice things for us.” — Steve Sarkisian

Sark took some responsibility for the Longhorns repeated deep shots. The coach said he put them in the game plan because he knows Manning loves to throw them. Manning attempted eight passes of 15 or more yards.

“Arch is a really good deep-ball thrower, and it gives guys chances to go make plays on those shots down the field. With a young quarterback, I’m kind of kicking myself a little. I wish I had a few other freebie completions for him, just so that there could have been a little bit more balance getting that completion percentage up, being efficient, moving the chains.” — Steve Sarkisian

Sarkisian said there were four or five plays where Manning had opportunities to check the ball down without forcing throws that he missed.

“That’s a difference of completing 50% to 52% of your passes to 65%. So room for growth there.” — Steve Sarkisian