AUSTIN, Texas — Coach Steve Sarkisian expressed his unwavering support for quarterback Quinn Ewers, despite the player’s recent struggles, including a disappointing performance against No. 1 Georgia. Ewers, who is in his third year as a starter, was briefly replaced during the game, which highlighted his difficulties on the field.

In what was arguably one of the low points of his career, Ewers completed 25 out of 43 passes for 211 yards, but he also threw an interception and lost two fumbles. His play was particularly concerning during Texas’ initial six drives, where he managed only 17 yards on 6-of-12 passing. The Longhorns found themselves trailing 23-0 at halftime, prompting Sarkisian to send in Arch Manning for the remainder of the second quarter. Ewers did manage to rebound in the third quarter, directing two touchdown drives, but the overall performance fell short of expectations for a quarterback regarded as a potential first-round NFL draft pick.

With Texas unable to lead at any point during the game, Ewers appeared flustered against a formidable Georgia defense. Nevertheless, Sarkisian firmly stated that Ewers will remain the starter. “We have confidence and belief in him,” said Sarkisian. “I think he’s going to come out and play really good football for us here in the second half of the season.” The Longhorns, who currently hold a 6-1 record (2-1 Southeastern Conference), are set to face No. 25 Vanderbilt this Saturday.

Ewers did not speak to the media following the game, but he had previously demonstrated his capabilities in crucial matchups over the last two seasons. Early this year, he was even mentioned as a likely contender for the Heisman Trophy after the Longhorns secured a notable victory against defending national champion Michigan. However, he suffered an abdomen strain in the first half of a subsequent game against UTSA, which kept him out for two weeks. Upon his return in Texas’ convincing 34-3 victory over Oklahoma, he threw for merely 199 yards and one touchdown, admitting he had to elevate his play.

In the contest against Georgia, Ewers faced significant challenges, particularly under the intense pressure of their defensive front, which racked up seven sacks. Ewers missed several key throws during the game. Meanwhile, Georgia’s quarterback Carson Beck recorded his struggles, finishing with 23 completions on 41 attempts for 175 yards and three interceptions. After Texas managed to narrow the score to 23-15, Beck responded effectively, leading a subsequent touchdown drive that sealed the victory for Georgia.

“I think Quinn definitely can play better. We’ve got to continue to work on his pocket presence,” Sarkisian added. “But I also think we need to play better around him. You know, our offense isn’t about one player playing well.” The team’s struggles were further highlighted by their lackluster rushing performance, totaling just 29 yards and 259 yards of offense overall against the Bulldogs. Offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. assured that the Longhorns remain behind Ewers. “We’re always going to trust Quinn. We’re always going to believe in Quinn,” Banks stated firmly.