What happens when your past pulls up uninvited to the biggest moment of your career? For Texas Longhorns QB1 Quinn Ewers, Saturday’s playoff matchup against Clemson isn’t just another game—it’s a backyard brawl with history. Ewers isn’t just squaring off against the Tigers; he’s facing Cade Klubnik, the guy who handed him an L back in their high school days, and R.J. Mickens, an old teammate turned rival. Oh, and did we mention the Longhorns’ season is riding on this one? Talk about a pressure cooker.

Texas rolls in with an 11-2 record, but those two losses? Straight-up gut punches courtesy of the Georgia Bulldogs—once in Week 8 and again in the SEC Championship. Now, all eyes are on Ewers and head coach Steve Sarkisian. This game isn’t just about surviving; it’s about proving Texas ain’t no fluke. And Clemson? Dabo Swinney’s squad might be the No. 12 seed and barely took that W against Rhett Lashlee’s SMU in ACC championship, but don’t get it twisted—those Tigers are hungry, and Klubnik’s itching to remind folks why he’s a big deal.

On December 20th, Quinn Ewers hopped on The Field Talk podcast with Field Yates. Field leaned in and shoots “What’s going through your brain as you’re awaiting the bracket reveal a couple of Sundays ago?” Quinn Ewers smirked for a sec and responded with, “Yeah, I mean, I was just most curious about who we were going to be playing. You know, it’s funny—I get to play against somebody I played with in high school. He’s number nine, RJ Mickens, the safety for them. So, he’s a good buddy of mine. It’s gonna be fun to get to play him.” Yeah, fun like running into your ex at a party. When asked if they’d be chopping it up before the game, Ewers laughed, “Nah, he called me right after the bracket came out. He was one of my good buddies at Southlake. It’s gonna be cool.”

Rewind to January 2021. Jerry World literally packed, the energy was electric, and Klubnik’s Austin Westlake straight-up handled Ewers’ Southlake Carroll, 52-34, in the Texas 6A-Division I State Championship. Klubnik was cool as a popsicle, running the show with three TDs and zero mistakes. Meanwhile, Ewers balled out with 350 yards and three touchdowns, but those three turnovers? Killer. Now, two years later, they’re back at it—this time under the college football spotlight.

Quinn Ewers vs. Cade Klubnik: Texas Gunslinging Showdown 2.0

This is Texas football at its finest, y’all. Two gunslingers with unfinished business are about to throw down in Austin. Klubnik? He’s the smooth operator, the dude who keeps it steady and delivers when it counts. Ewers? He’s got that swagger, the arm, and a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. It’s the classic clash: cool precision vs. all-out flash.

And let’s not sleep on R.J. Mickens, Clemson’s safety and Ewers’ former Southlake Carroll teammate. Mickens knows Ewers’ game like the back of his hand, which could spell trouble for the Longhorns. “He called me as soon as the bracket dropped,” Ewers said. ” It’s gonna be cool.” Cool? Mickens ain’t out here trying to reminisce—he’s trying to send Texas packing.

For Klubnik, it’s about leveling up and showing he’s built for the big stage. For Ewers, it’s personal with all hate talks surrounding him. The last time these two faced off, Klubnik walked away with the crown. This time? Ewers is trying to rewrite the script and remind everyone that he’s not the same kid from Jerry World. On Saturday night, under the lights at DKR, it’s all going down. Buckle up, because this one’s gonna be a straight-up barn burner.