Ewers expected to start Saturday
Ohio State transfer missed 3 games with left shoulder injury
AUSTIN — After missing Texas' past three games with a sternoclavicular strain, redshirt freshman quarterback Quinn Ewers is expected to start for the Longhorns on Saturday against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, ESPN'S Pete Thamel reported Thursday.
Earlier Thursday, coach Steve Sarkisian said Ewers and redshirt sophomore Hudson Card were “probably as healthy as they've been in about a month,” though he declined to name a starter.
“We feel very confident with both guys going into Saturday,” Sarkisian added.
Ewers suffered the injury to his nonthrowing shoulder late in the first quarter of a 20-19 loss to No. 1 Alabama on Sept. 10. The Ohio State transfer and former Southlake Carroll sensation exited that sold-out game at Royalmemorial Stadium after throwing for 134 yards in one quarter.
Aside from senior running back Roschon Johnson handling snaps out of the Wildcat formation, Card has run the offense while playing through a high ankle sprain as Ewers rehabilitated his injured shoulder.
In three games as a starter, Card completed 56 of 80 passes for 741 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. In his last outing, a 38-20 win over West Virginia, Card set personal records in completion percentage (77.8), passing yards (303) and passing touchdowns (three).
“I give Hudson a lot of credit,” Sarkisian said. “Two months ago, when he didn't get named the starter, a lot of guys in that position, it's hard to come out to practice every day with the same mental intensity to do what you need to do. Hudson stayed engaged. He's earned a lot of respect, even
more than he had.”
Ewers started Texas’ first two games after winning the job in preseason camp. He’s completed 25 of 36 passes for 359 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Oklahoma (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) has been gashed through the air this season. It has allowed 261.8 passing yards and 25.8 points per game, outside the nation’s top 99 in both categories.
Texas (3-2, 1-1) ranks 23rd in passing efficiency (164.0), 31st in scoring offense (36.8) and 46th in passing offense (263.0).