Road Warrior: Hostile environments bring out the best in Quinn Ewers

This past Saturday, No. 3 Texas traveled to Ann Arbor to face the defending national champions, No. 10 Michigan, at The Big House on Sept. 7. 

The top-10 showdown was predicted to be a close game due mainly to the Wolverines’ defense and the home-field advantage of playing in the largest stadium in college football. However, neither seemed to phase Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, who proceeded to put on a show in the Big House, throwing for 246 yards and three touchdown passes, leading to a 31-12 Longhorns victory. 

“I’ve never really noticed noise on the road before,” Ewers said. “But I feel like on that first drive, that was the first time I was in my head, I was like, ‘Okay, well, it’s really loud here.’ But overall, I think we did a great job of staying poised.”

-Ewers on playing road games

Ewers has a history of playing his best in tough environments. Last year, Texas knocked off Alabama in Week Two at Bryant Denny Stadium 34-24. In that game, Ewers outdueled Crimson Tide quarterback and fellow Texas native Jalen Milroe by going 24-38 for 349 passing yards and three touchdowns.  Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian praised Ewers’ composure in hostile environments following the Michigan game. 

“There’s something about Quinn and his demeanor,” Sarkisian said. “He’s a very calm guy; he’s very collected. He never rides the emotional rollercoaster. He stays even keel, and that demeanor helps him in these environments because he just doesn’t get affected by crowd noise or the emotions of a game. He stays clear-minded and focused on what he needs to do.” 

-Sarkisian on Ewers composure

The ability to block out intense crowds and play well didn’t come naturally to Ewers but instead through experience. In Week 8 of the 2022 season against former Big 12 foe Oklahoma State, Ewers had one of his worst games in the orange and white. Ewers completed 19 out of 49 passes for 319 yards, a pair of touchdown passes, and three interceptions. 

“There’s some learning lessons in there, too,” Sarkisian said. “He didn’t have a great game his first year with us at Oklahoma State. We’ve had to grow through some of that with him, but it’s paying off. We can go into these tough environments and know our quarterback is going to be under control.” 

-Sarkisian on Ewers growth

The Longhorns won’t have another road game until October 12, when they’ll meet arch-nemesis Oklahoma in Dallas and then travel to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas. The Longhorns will end the season against in-state rival Texas A&M in Aggieland, arguably their hardest remaining road test.  Ewers said he embraces the challenge of Texas going on the road and playing in more loud environments in the coming weeks. 

“I enjoy just having that 100 or so guys against 100,000 people,” Ewers said. “I don’t know what it is, but I enjoy going into other places and having that bond with just 100 guys, and you feel like it’s us versus everybody. I enjoy that feeling.”

-Ewers on opposing crowds