Texas Longhorns Secure 10-Win Season Despite Ewers’ Injury, Set Sights on Texas A&M Rivalry
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns are making waves in their first season in the SEC, clinching a second straight 10-win season with a gritty 31-14 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats. But the win didn’t come without its challenges, as quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered an ankle injury that forced Texas to lean heavily on its running game to seal the deal.
After a strong start, the Longhorns hit a rough patch in the third quarter. Kentucky capitalized on a fumble by Ewers, returning it for a touchdown and cutting Texas’ lead to 24-14. Sensing the momentum shift, head coach Steve Sarkisian made a bold decision to double down on the ground game. The result? A commanding 15-play, 86-yard drive consisting entirely of running plays that put the game out of reach.
“The ball wasn’t clean in the third quarter,” Sarkisian admitted after the game. The Longhorns managed just 14 passing yards in the second half compared to 132 rushing yards. Ewers, who was visibly limited after being tackled on a scramble earlier in the game, said his ankle “just kind of kept tightening up.”
Sarkisian explained his decision to shift the game plan: “At that point, I just said I didn’t feel like it was worth having to expose him, the way we were starting to run it. And so it was like, well, let’s get to what are we doing best today? For weeks we’ve been talking about, well, the run game is a byproduct of the passing game. Well today the run game was the key to the drill.”
Ewers Focused on Recovery Ahead of Rivalry Game
Despite the injury, Ewers remains optimistic about his recovery. “It’s just a little tender,” he said. “I was around the 50-yard-line and I stepped up and kind of took off running a little bit and then kind of got hip-drop tackled and I think he kind of just rolled up on it a little bit. But it’s football and stuff like that happens.”
With the Longhorns’ regular season now in the books, all eyes turn to their highly anticipated rivalry game against Texas A&M on Nov. 30 in College Station. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2011, and the stakes couldn’t be higher with a berth in the SEC championship game on the line.
Players and Coaches Embrace the Rivalry
The excitement is palpable among the Longhorns. Defensive back Jahdae Barron is already preparing for the showdown. “I need to start watching film right now,” he said. “I need to hurry up and answer these questions so I can go get in my playbook. … I won’t take it for granted.”
Sarkisian isn’t shying away from the significance of the game, both for the team and for fans across the state. “I know for us the game is the game as far as what we are trying to accomplish to win that game to get to the SEC championship game,” he said. “But I’m not naive to know the rivalry is the rivalry and what this game means to the entire state of Texas and households being divided Thanksgiving weekend.”
He added, “I think it’s great for college football that this game with us and them is going to matter on a grander scale than just what’s happening in the state of Texas. But I also know how much it means to every household in the state of Texas. So it’s pretty cool to be part of. I’m excited.”
Anticipation Builds for Kyle Field Atmosphere
Texas players are bracing for the intensity of Kyle Field, one of the most raucous environments in college football. Defensive back Michael Taaffe said, “Probably the loudest environment I’ve ever been in, that’s what I’m expecting. But we can control what we can control and that’s all that we can do. We’re playing really good football right now.”
Ewers, who grew up hearing about the rivalry, shared a personal anecdote: “My dad told me that for many years, the rivalry against Texas A&M was a bigger game than Texas’ rivalry with Oklahoma.” Despite his ankle pain, Ewers is ready for the challenge. “I know this whole team is fired up for just another opportunity and especially for this one to be coming back, the tradition that it has in it,” he said.
Key Takeaways from Texas’ Win Over Kentucky
- Texas clinched its second straight 10-win season, its first in the SEC.
- Quinn Ewers suffered an ankle injury but is optimistic about playing against Texas A&M.
- The Longhorns leaned heavily on their running game, with 132 rushing yards in the second half.
- The upcoming rivalry game against Texas A&M will determine a spot in the SEC championship game.
As the Longhorns prepare for their biggest game of the season, one thing is clear: the stakes, the history, and the passion surrounding this rivalry make it a must-watch event. Buckle up, college football fans—this one’s going to be special.
Originally Written by: Dave Wilson
