Know Wyoming’s foe: No. 4 Texas Longhorns
AUSTIN, Texas -- The former top prospect is finally starting to play like one.
Quinn Ewers has already thrown for 609 yards and six touchdowns while completing 63.2% of his passes. That's through two games, including an impressive 34-24 victory last Saturday night in Tuscaloosa.
The sophomore from Southlake gashed Alabama to the tune of 349 yards through the air. He fired three scoring strikes, two to Adonai Mitchell.
"He's the real deal," Craig Bohl said.
So, how do you limit Ewers and this high-powered Texas passing attack, which averages 324.5 yards per game?
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"We've been scratching our heads with that," Wyoming's head coach added. "I mean, you know, because you have so many weapons. We've got to be able to take the quarterback out of his comfort zone and try to put some pressure on him. Like I said, they take great shots and they have receivers that can stretch the field. You know, they have a capable running game.
"The offensive line does a great job in protection, but we've got to get Ewers off his spot and make him have to go to someplace he doesn't want to go. It's a daunting task."
Ewers has attempted 184 passes without throwing an interception. In fact, he hasn't tossed a pick since a Nov. 12 loss against then-fourth-ranked TCU. He tossed five of his six interceptions through the first five weeks in 2022, three of which came in a loss at Oklahoma State.
Wyoming and Texas will meet Saturday night inside Darrell K Royal Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Mountain Time and the game will be televised on the Longhorn Network.
* Head coach: Steve Sarkisian (3rd year at Texas) 15-12 overall record
* Offensive coordinator: Kyle Flood (2nd season); Defensive coordinator: Pete Kwiatkowski (2nd season)
* Record in 2022: 8-5 overall, 6-3 in Big 12
* Offense in 2023: Average 35.5 ppg, 456 ypg (131.5 rush, 324.5 pass)
* Defense in 2023: Allow 17 ppg, 269 ypg (67 rush, 202 pass)
* Key Returners - Offense: Quinn Ewers (QB - 43-68, 609 yds, 6 TD; 11 rush, 23 yds, TD), Jonathon Brooks (26 rush, 109 yds, TD), CJ Baxter (RB - 16 rush, 69 yds), Xavier Worthy (WR - 12 catch, 165 yds, TD), Ja'Tavion Sanders (TE - 7 catch, 158 yds, TD), Adonai Mitchell (WR - 6 catch, 104 yds, 3 TD), Jordan Whittington (WR - 7 catch, 91 yds)
* Key Returners - Defense: David Gbenda (LB - 12 tackles, 1.5 sack), Jaylan Ford (LB - 10 tackles, INT), Ethan Burke (DE - 7 tackles, 2 sacks), Anthony Hill Jr. (LB - 7 tackles, 2 sacks)
* Overview: Craig Bohl said earlier this week this is the best Texas team he's seen. That says a lot considering he has faced the Longhorns 10 times, dating back to his days at Rice and Nebraska. He only has one win over UT. That came in the 1999 Big 12 championship game. The proud new owners of the No. 4 ranking in the national polls after a 34-24 road win over Alabama, the 'Horns are the toast of college football right now (Sorry, Coach Prime). Deservedly so. Ewers and Co. have been dynamic through the air so far, averaging more than 320 yards per game. Three UT pass catchers -- Xavier Worthy, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Mitchell -- have already eclipsed the 100-yard mark through the air. Jordan Whittington is knocking on the door with 91 yards on just seven catches. "They take a lot of shots and they're not long foul balls," Bohl said. "They hit a lot of home runs." The Texas running game hasn't gotten going quite yet, averaging just 131.5 yards per game. That shouldn't change against a stout Wyoming defense that has yet to allow 100 yards on the ground in wins over Texas Tech (93) and Portland State (90). The Longhorn defense has already forced five turnovers -- four interceptions, fumble recovery -- through two outings. Wyoming, on the other hand, has coughed the ball up three times and Andrew Peasley tossed an interception last Saturday. That can't happen in Austin. In fact, Bohl thinks the Cowboys will likely have to finish with a plus-3 in this category if they have a chance. He's right.
* Thoughts on Texas: "You know what, I've had a chance to look at the University of Texas for 35 years. I've spent some time coaching against them -- a lot of years coaching against them -- and this is the best Texas football team I've seen. I think they're as good as what's been advertised. I know a lot of the national writers have had really, I think, great things to say about them. I think Coach Sarkisian has done a great job, meshing in with the fabric of the University of Texas. It's a unique place. I have a lot of dear friends who have coached there. Oscar Giles (Wyoming's defensive tackles coach) had played there and I think he's done a great job with this program. They are hitting on all cylinders. You know, Ewers is the real deal. I mean, he's as good as advertised. They have great receivers, people who can stretch the field ... Over on defense, I think their defensive front is very disruptive. They run well. Their back seven guys tackle well, they have great speed and they matched up with 'Bama and ran step per step with them. I think we all know what kind of team that they have to go into Tuscaloosa and win the way they did. So, they're a really impressive team. I think they deserve to be in the conversation for the national championship. We will get their best shot and I'm sure we're going to give them our best shot. So, we're excited about the game, but there's a lot of work ahead. We have to move forward as a football program and this will be a great opportunity to do that." -- Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl
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