Quinn Ewers, No. 3 Texas Leave CFB Fans Unimpressed Despite Win vs. Arkansas

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IINovember 16, 2024

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - NOVEMBER 16: Quinn Ewers #3 and Matthew Golden #2 of the Texas Longhorns celebrate after a touchdown in the first half during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

No. 3 Texas escaped Arkansas with a 20-10 win on Saturday afternoon, moving to 9-1 overall (5-1 SEC) on the season.

The Longhorn defense took control and propelled Texas to victory. The unit held Arkansas scoreless on its first eight drives, which totaled just 56 yards and resulted in six punts, an interception and a drive that stalled out at the end of the first half.

However, Texas couldn't put the game away due to the offensive struggles. In particular, the passing game sputtered most of the afternoon. Quarterback Quinn Ewers completed 20-of-32 passes for just 176 yards (5.5 YPA) and two touchdowns, both of which went to wide receiver Matthew Golden. The first one was a 20-yarder in the first quarter to open the scoring.

Texas Football @TexasFootball
Coming right at ya 🤘<a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewGolden_2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MatthewGolden_2</a> <a href="https://t.co/sr3hcBRloI">pic.twitter.com/sr3hcBRloI</a>

Arkansas finally got on the board with a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped by a Ja'Quinden Jackson one-yard touchdown run with 3:38 remaining in the third quarter. The Razorbacks then forced a three-and-out to give themselves a chance to take the lead.

Arkansas got as far as the Texas 26-yard line, but the drive stalled there. Matthew Shipley's 44-yard field goal cut the Texas lead to 13-10 early in the fourth quarter.

The Longhorns then engineered a timely drive backed largely by three Jaydon Blue runs for 41 yards that got the team down to the Arkansas 14-yard line. Four plays later, Golden caught a one-yard TD pass, and Texas led 20-10 after the PAT.

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Texas Football @TexasFootball
The Golden Child™<a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewGolden_2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MatthewGolden_2</a> <a href="https://t.co/UPjtaF6kQr">pic.twitter.com/UPjtaF6kQr</a>

The Razorbacks drove into Texas territory and looked to be in position for a first down after a CJ Brown 12-yard catch, but Alfred Collins forced a fumble recovered by teammate Michael Taaffe. In response, the Longhorns ran out the final 6:49 of game time.

Texas Football @TexasFootball
.<a href="https://twitter.com/alfredcollins99?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alfredcollins99</a> 🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelTaaffe4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MichaelTaaffe4</a> <a href="https://t.co/LGwqtTrWUU">pic.twitter.com/LGwqtTrWUU</a>

This was ultimately an ugly win against a 5-5 Arkansas team that's now 3-4 in the SEC. It didn't inspire confidence in the Longhorns, as fans were left unimpressed with the uninspiring performance. In particular, Ewers received some criticism for his outing.

Todd Fuhrman @ToddFuhrman
I continue to watch <a href="https://twitter.com/TexasFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TexasFootball</a> each week<br><br>I continue to be unimpressed when watching <a href="https://twitter.com/TexasFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TexasFootball</a>

College Football Report @CFBRep
Stats mislead people on how bad this Texas offense is

Michael Borkey @MichaelBorkey
Texas is a benefactor of their schedule. They're no better, if not clearly behind, the top teams in the SEC

Pete Blackburn @PeteBlackburn
I refuse to believe Texas' best football is behind them but it is seriously annoying and concerning how committed they are to allowing teams to hang in games

pinto @pinto479
Not impressed with Texas. We're just…bad

🂾 @RAZ0RBACKS
Texas is actually so bad its unbelievable

Josh Rugger @RugsWX
Not even be salty…I have been pretty unimpressed by this "unbeatable" Texas team. Quinn Ewers isn't taking them to a title. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WPS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WPS</a>

Nathan Morris @nathanpmorris
Texas is very bad. Ole Miss put a 75 piece on us without half of their starters. <br><br>I'm shocked at what I'm seeing

Reed Reynolds @reed_reynolds5
Texas might not be who everyone thought they were

Hunter 🤘🏽 @HookEm_Hunter
I'm sorry, this Texas offense is very underwhelming considering all of the athletes the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Longhorns?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Longhorns</a> have on the offensive side of the football. It's been very disappointing for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Texas</a> offensively today.

Jakota Sainsbury @jakotasain
I do think Texas is over rated.. no wins vs ranked teams. Not impressed today, were bad lol

Jake Sirkus @JakeSirkus
After 10 games, Texas will only have 0 impressive data points on the season

HTown Brodie @BodieWeeBey
The Quinn Ewers era cant be done soon enough man.. dude has some of the worst feet and pocket presence in CFB

Darrion West @dawest76
Texas is the most talented team in the country. They are being held back by Quinn Ewers. He's just not good enough. He hasn't really improved in 3 years at Texas. I just don't see it man

David @RollingPrez2390
Genuinely cannot think of a more frustrating Texas player to watch than Quinn Ewers.

On the other hand, a win is a win, and Texas still looks well-positioned for a spot in the SEC Championship Game and a College Football Playoff berth.

Up next is a home date with Kentucky on Saturday followed by a difficult road matchup with No. 15 Texas A&M on Nov. 30.

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