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Jake Trotter, ESPN Senior Writer
ANN ARBOR, Michigan — Vince Young and Texas came to Big Ten state 19 years ago and sent a statement. Unflappable, Young propelled the Longhorns past No. 2 Ohio State, setting the stage for Texas’ magical run to the national championship that ended with Young’s iconic run through the Rose Bowl pylon.
The Longhorns are back in the Big Ten on Friday. And behind another unflappable quarterback, Texas again sent a statement – this time in the Big House – that the Longhorns were primed for their own title.
Behind junior quarterback Quinn Ewers, who, like Young, continues to save his best performances for the bright lights, Texas thoroughly dismantled No. 10 Michigan on the way to a resounding 31-12 victory.
“This one game is not going to define our season,” Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said. “But I think it’s going to be a good barometer of the type of team we’re capable of.”
With Ewers at his level, the Longhorns could become a team that wins its first national championship since 2005.
Facing a Michigan defense still loaded with various first-round NFL draft picks, including defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson, Texas moved the ball at will. Wolverine blitzed. They went down again. They disguise coverages. He tried everything. No one can stand up to Ewers.
“We did a really good job of playing calm and composed,” Ewers said.
The Longhorns converted seven of eight first down attempts on third down, with Ewers finding receivers over and over. He even converted on another third-down attempt, but a scrambling, 24-yard touchdown strike to DeAndre Moore Jr. on the opening drive was negated by a holding call.
The penalty resulted in a missed field goal, but it didn’t matter. Ewers returned and continued to complete the pass.
“There’s something about Quinn in his demeanor. He’s a very calm person. He’s very collected. He never rides an emotional rollercoaster,” Sarkisian said. “When you have a quarterback that everybody can trust, it just adds to their confidence and belief that, ‘Hey, let’s do our part, because that’s the guy who catches the ball on every play.'”
The Longhorns have reason to believe in Ewers, who is now the only FBS quarterback in the country since the start of last season to throw three touchdowns without an interception against multiple AP top-10 opponents, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Last year, Ewers passed for 349 yards in a win over then-third-ranked Alabama.
Against Michigan, Ewers was just as prolific. He completed 24 of 36 passes for 246 yards, as Texas scored four straight drives in the first half, including three touchdowns, to put the Wolverines on their heels.
He threw a 21-yard touchdown to tight end Gunnar Helm, who finished with a career-high seven receptions for 98 yards. Then, after a Michigan fumble in the final minute of the first half, Ewers completed four straight passes, capped with a 5-yard touchdown throw to Matthew Golden on third-and-goal with 10 seconds to go. The pass put Texas up 24-3 and, effectively, eliminated the Wolverines.
“When he was confident (we felt) he was unstoppable,” Golden said of Ewers. “We (feel like) we can score 60.”
But with a good offensive line now apparently built for the SEC, and a defense that overwhelmed the Wolverines, Texas does not need to score 60 to keep winning games.
Michigan produced just 88 yards of offense in the first half, and managed to get off just nine plays the entire first quarter – the fewest in a first quarter since 2011, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
When Ewers swung a 7-yard touchdown pass to running back Jaydon Blue late in the third quarter, the Big House began to empty.
“I’m looking forward to learning about myself,” Sarkisian said. “Are we going to be overwhelmed by the environment?
“Our guys play a very structured game of football. They play tough, they play physical. … We’re not really trying to come here to prove anything. We want to play our brand, our style of football.”
Nineteen years ago, the Longhorns learned in Week 2 at Ohio Stadium that they had a special quarterback who could lead them to victory against anyone. Then Young did just that, leading Texas to a dramatic win over USC in the Rose Bowl.
The Longhorns have another special quarterback right now. And while the other tests still loom, Ewers showed again, that Texas is ready to beat anyone anywhere.
