Quinn Ewers has done it again! The Texas Longhorns star quarterback came back from a four-week hiatus due to an abdomen strain to lead his team to another massive victory over their Red River rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners. But this wasn’t just any game—this one marked the first matchup between the two teams in the Southeastern Conference, making it even more significant. Ewers returned in style, throwing for 199 yards, scoring the go-ahead touchdown, and even running in another score as Texas dominated 18th-ranked Oklahoma 34-3 on Saturday. Talk about a comeback story!
In a way, the game felt like déjà vu for fans who remember Ewers’ first Red River game two years ago. Back then, he led the Longhorns to an unprecedented shutout over Oklahoma, which felt like a statement win for the program. In that game, Ewers tossed four touchdowns in a 49-0 blowout win. Now, two years later, he’s back to doing what he does best—winning big games. “It’s been fun the past three years, and I’m super glad to be 2-1, and over .500 in the game,” Ewers said, reflecting on his Red River rivalry experiences. He added, “The overall experience and atmosphere, it’s unbeatable.” It's safe to say, Ewers thrives on these high-stakes moments.
But this game wasn’t all smooth sailing, especially for Ewers. After missing two games following an injury on September 14, he struggled early in his return. On the first play of the game, he was sacked, and on his first pass, he threw an interception. A shaky start, no doubt. But the real story here is how he bounced back. Ewers went on to complete 20 of 29 passes, showing his resilience and leadership on the field. “A rough start, but overall I think we did a good job of overcoming some adversity early,” Ewers admitted.
The Longhorns didn’t rely solely on Ewers, though. Quintrevion Wisner had a standout performance, rushing for 118 yards and a touchdown. Wisner’s day was highlighted by a critical moment late in the first half. After a long run, he fumbled near the end zone, but fortunately, teammate Silas Bolden recovered it in the end zone for another Longhorns touchdown. This sequence helped Texas take a commanding 21-3 lead into halftime. Those two quick scores right before the break were pivotal in securing the win.
What made this game extra special was its historical significance. This was the first Red River rivalry played under the Southeastern Conference banner. The 120th meeting between these two storied programs dates all the way back to 1900, and since 1929, it’s been held annually at the Texas State Fair. Oklahoma had dominated recent matchups, winning five of the last six meetings when both teams were still in the Big 12. However, Texas now holds a 64-51-5 series advantage, and their latest win brought back the coveted Golden Hat trophy. “Getting the Golden Hat back is a tremendous honor for these guys to have as part of their legacy here,” said Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian. “We’re going to enjoy it, but the journey is far from over. We got more work to do.”
That work will continue next Saturday when Texas faces off against No. 5 Georgia. The Longhorns are only halfway through their season, and it looks like they’re just getting started. But let’s not overlook the significance of this win. This victory puts Texas in a prime position in the SEC and could shape the rest of their season.
One of the highlights of the game came when Ewers connected with Gunnar Helm for a 7-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. This play gave Texas a 7-3 lead, and from there, they never looked back. It was also the first time all season that Texas had trailed in a game, but they responded like champions. As Coach Sarkisian noted, “When the offense was struggling early, we had the defense. We felt like we built a team to do that.”
And let’s not forget about the Oklahoma Sooners, who came into the game with a lot of question marks. Michael Hawkins Jr., a true freshman, was tasked with starting at quarterback in one of the biggest rivalry games of the season. Hawkins completed 16 of 24 passes for 120 yards, but he faced constant pressure, being sacked five times. Oklahoma’s offense just couldn’t get going, managing only 225 total yards. Hawkins also ran the ball 20 times but gained just 27 yards, a testament to Texas’ stout defense.
One of the most critical plays of the game came just before halftime when Texas’ Silas Bolden made a heads-up recovery in the back corner of the end zone after Wisner had fumbled the ball. This gave Texas a comfortable lead, and from there, the Longhorns were in control. After a two-minute timeout, Hawkins fumbled on the Sooners’ next play, which set up a 43-yard touchdown run by Wisner on the very next snap.
Sooners head coach Brent Venables didn’t hide his disappointment in his team’s performance. “What I was most disappointed in was the defensive side of the ball,” Venables said. “We’re capable of playing in a more consistent, precise way.” Giving up 406 yards to the Longhorns is something Oklahoma will want to address moving forward.
So, what’s the takeaway from this game? For Texas, it’s clear that Quinn Ewers is their guy, despite some rumors swirling during his absence. Arch Manning, the highly touted freshman, filled in admirably while Ewers was out, winning both of his starts. However, Coach Sarkisian made it clear there was no quarterback controversy—Ewers was always the starter once healthy. After returning to practice before last week’s bye, Ewers was ready to go for this pivotal rivalry game.
For Oklahoma, the loss stings. Injuries plagued their receiving corps, with five key players out, and their rushing game was virtually non-existent. The Sooners put a heavy load on their freshman quarterback, who was playing his first rivalry game in his hometown. Although they won his first start at Auburn, this time they could only muster a field goal, courtesy of Tyler Keltner’s 42-yard kick after an early interception by Billy Bowman.
As for the poll implications, Texas’ dominant win should keep them in the conversation for the No. 1 spot, especially after No. 2 Ohio State faced off against No. 3 Oregon later that same night. It’s been a long time since Texas was ranked this high—they last held the top spot for six polls during the 1977 regular season. For Oklahoma, the loss might push them out of the Top 25 for the first time this season.
Looking ahead, the Longhorns already have a statement win over defending national champion Michigan, and they’ll get a chance to add another marquee win to their resume when they face Georgia next Saturday. The road ahead won’t be easy, but Texas has shown they’re up for the challenge.
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