Sarkisian, Longhorns 'feel very good' with Ewers as starting QB

Any intrigue about the Texas quarterback race was quickly put to rest on Saturday, as Quinn Ewers appeared comfortable and in command, according to coach Steve Sarkisian.

«I thought Quinn was really efficient today,» Sarkisian said after Saturday's game in which Ewers completed 16 of 23 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown, a leaping one-handed grab by Georgia transfer A.D. Mitchell. «I think it's pretty clear to say that Quinn's our starting quarterback and we feel very good about that.»

The remainder of the highlights came from redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy, who was playing in his first game action at Texas after being injured most of last season and missing the first five practices this spring. He finished 9-of-13 for 165 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Johntay Cook. Arch Manning, who drew a large ovation from the crowd upon entering the game, was 5-of-13 for 30 yards and often didn't have much time to throw.

Ewers, who had an up-and-down first season in Austin, said he took a new approach to preparation this offseason after feeling like he didn't live up to his potential last season when he threw for 2,177 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He looked on the verge of a breakout against Alabama before suffering an injury that sidelined him for three games before he returned with four touchdowns in a 49-0 win over Oklahoma. But he also struggled at times, like against TCU, when he had 11 off-target passes in a 17-10 loss and passed for 171 yards and an interception. Ewers' 64.3 QBR ranked 53rd nationally.

«I wasn't where I wanted to be last year,» he said. «I feel like I let most of the fans down, and I don't want to be in that same situation this year.»

Sarkisian said