After a strong 13-3 season, the Texas Longhorns fell short in the College Football Playoff semifinals, losing 28-14 to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl. The defeat marked the end of another impressive campaign under head coach Steve Sarkisian, who praised his team’s resilience and, in particular, the leadership of quarterback Quinn Ewers.
Sarkisian’s praise for Ewers
Ewers, who has been instrumental in leading Texas to consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, earned high praise from Sarkisian despite the loss. Speaking to On Texas Football, Sarkisian highlighted Ewers’ dedication, perseverance, and ability to rise above external expectations.
“I’m super proud of Quinn,” Sarkisian said. “He’s taught me a lot. Probably unknowingly to him. What he went through every year, dealing with injuries. What he goes through, where, I don’t know if he’d ever live to the standards of what everybody thinks he’s supposed to be. But, at the end of the day, all he did was show up every day and work and be a great leader and be a great teammate.”
In the Cotton Bowl, Ewers showcased his talent by throwing for 283 yards, two touchdowns, and completing 23-of-39 pass attempts. However, the Buckeyes‘ relentless defense, including a pivotal play by Jack Sawyer, ultimately thwarted Texas’ hopes for a comeback.
Over the 2024 season, Ewers delivered consistently strong performances, finishing with 31 touchdowns, 3,472 passing yards and a 66.5 percent completion percentage
A potential NFL future
While Ewers has not officially declared his intentions for the 2025 season, his comments and demeanor suggest this was likely his final chapter with the Longhorns. Having already been considered a potential first-round pick, Ewers is expected to turn his attention to preparing for the NFL Draft.
If this is indeed his farewell, Ewers leaves behind a legacy of leadership and success that will be remembered fondly in Austin. He helped elevate Texas back to the national stage, making the Longhorns a consistent playoff contender.
For Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns, the focus now shifts to reloading and preparing for the next season. The team will look to build on its recent success while addressing areas of improvement exposed in the Cotton Bowl.
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