Texas Moves On Unspectacularly, As Some Fans Still Wonder If There Should Be A Shakeup At QB

Texas fended off a late charge from Clemson for a 38-24 win in its first-round College Football Playoff matchup, and it did so in a very "Texas" way - running the ball and playing defense.

Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner went over the 100-yard mark on the ground, and the Longhorns defense held the Tigers to just 3.2 yards per rush in a game that, aside from a slight scare early in the fourth, was in their control from their first drive of the game.

AUSTIN, Tex. - Quinn Ewers of the Texas Longhorns throws the ball during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the Playoff First Round Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)

The hidden truth is that quarterback Quinn Ewers was a very pedestrian 17-of-24 for 202 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the Tigers on Saturday. Unfortunately, that’s par for the course.

The second-year starter has been nursing an ankle injury and, for the most part, has been more of a game-manager than a difference-maker - especially down the stretch. That had some asking if coach Steve Sarkisian might consider turning to sophomore signal-caller and hot shot recruit Arch Manning.

AUSTIN, Tex. - Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns scrambles with the ball during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the Playoff First Round Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)

Sark trotted Manning out in specific packages on Saturday and at times prior to the CFP, but a full-time switch has never been a legitimate option. It’s hard to imagine Sark making that move now considering Texas is three games away from winning the national title, but it’s clear