The Lone Star Showdown in the evening slate tied together a CFB Saturday for the history books. At least for those of a neutral persuasion, this game was the epitome of rivalry weekend leading in. Sworn enemies taking their feud to the gridiron, 13 years in the making. In a virtual SEC semi-final, no less. 

What transpired in College Station was essentially one-way traffic. The Texas Longhorns dominated almost every facet. However, The Texas A&M Aggies were afforded plenty of let-ups. Some of these let-ups even transpired into early Christmas presents. Texas A&M managed to keep it a contest right up till the dying embers. Santa, in this scenario, was the Longhorn lined up under centre- Quinn Ewers.

Shannon Sharpe laid a rather harsh assessment of Ewers’ performance during Nightcap in the aftermath. “Texas A&M’s best player was Quinn Ewers. Unfortunately, he’s the quarterback for the Texas Longhorns,” he said. The statement was hardly made in jest. Unc expanded upon the quarterback’s night and gave a take which perhaps is not consensual among the Longhorns faithful.

“[Quinn Ewers] almost gave this game away. If Texas A&M could have done anything offensively they beat Texas. Because Ewers did not play particularly well last night. A bad interception. He fumbled the ball where he’s [sliding down]. This game should have been put away in the third quarter”, continued Shannon.

Ewers turned over the ball twice in the red zone, including a pick-6, which he can hardly be absolved of. The other one was a contentious fumble call. Ewers was seemingly on the verge of sliding at the 8 after gaining a few yards with his feet. His knee touched the ground almost simultaneously as the pigskin escaped his grasp. Alas, the play was deemed a fumble. These two instances kept the Aggies looming with skin in the game and perhaps even misled Shannon Sharpe. 

Quinn Ewers’ overall performance marred by two moments of weakness

By all accounts, Quinn Ewers wasn’t the primary reason his team conquered enemy territory. The Longhorns’ defense and O-line showed out to a much greater extent. But Shannon saying Ewers “did not play particularly well” is an opinion not shared by many.

Football fans are a fickle bunch. The most glaring action is often the only one that sticks out in memory, be it a dime from 40 yards or, in this case, a freak interception. A pick-6 is a cardinal sin, let alone one when you’re in scoring position yourself. However, the one-off play wiping out the rest of Quinn Ewers’ performance would be revisionist.

Ewers led his offense to drive up and down Kyle Field all game. It was the final action that was lacking. Perhaps some levy can be afforded in that aspect, given he was coming off injury. Regardless, Ewers played a solid game in a tough environment. It was the offense, or lack thereof, from the Aggies that accentuated his errors. The only time Texas A&M got on the scoresheet was the pick-6.

The domination of the Longhorns’ defense inadvertently cast a shadow on Quinn Ewers’ own performance. It was that special. As the dust settles on Saturday’s affairs, Sarkisian will hope he can carry this momentum into Atlanta in the SEC Championship Game. Texas have definitely put Kirby Smart and Georgia on notice.

Carson Beck will have his work cut out against this Texas defence. Its two best teams have emerged from the chaotic southeast, and there can hardly be an argument otherwise.