[ad_1]
-
Dave Wilson, ESPN staff writer
Coach Steve Sarkisian expects quarterback Quinn Ewers to be ready to start when No. 1 Texas plays No. 18 Oklahoma in the Allstate Red River Rivalry on Saturday in Dallas, but the Longhorns will continue to monitor his recovery during the week.
Ewers suffered an oblique injury while throwing over his body and was replaced by Arch Manning in Texas’ win over UTSA on September 14. Manning has started the past two games — wins over UL Monroe and Mississippi State.
Sarkisian said Ewers practiced three times last week and again on Monday.
“I thought he looked good after the bye,” Sarkisian said. “I think if anyone took advantage of the time off, it would probably be him. We’ll be monitoring him every day just to see how he continues to progress, but I feel good about how he’s doing (Monday).”
“I feel good about him being there on Saturday, but that remains to be seen.”
Sarkisian said he expects the unexpected against the Sooners (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC), as they are both coming off their bye weeks. The Longhorns know they’ll have to prepare for rookie Michael Hawkins Jr., who took over for struggling Jackson Arnold.
Hawkins, a freshman, was 10-for-15 for 161 yards, ran for 69 yards and a score and added a two-point conversion in his first start — a 27-21 road win at Auburn.
“He went for a 50-touchdown against Auburn, so we have to really recognize his ability to extend the play and then create explosive (plays) with his legs,” Sarkisian said.
Nine of the last 10 matches between the rivals have been decided by one score or less. Last year was another classic, as No. 12 Oklahoma drove 75 yards in five plays, capped by Dillon Gabriel’s 3-yard pass to Nick Anderson with 15 seconds left to defeat the No. 3 Longhorns 34-30. In that game, Ewers threw for 346 yards, but had two interceptions and was sacked five times, the most tied in a game of his career.
This is the 44th time both teams have been ranked prior to the game, second only to the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry (49). This is the fifth time Texas has entered the game ranked No. 1; The Texans are 3-0-1 in the previous four.
“There are things that happen in this game and I think that’s what makes this game special,” Sarkisian said. “We’re lucky to be a part of it. And this week is no different.”
Between the risks and the atmosphere at the State Fair of Texas, Sarkissian said he won’t need any motivational tricks.
“To think that I’m going to have to give some Knotty Rockne speeches to prepare for this game is probably not true,” Sarkisian said. “Maybe I can be there at kickoff and our players will be ready to play on Saturday morning.”
[ad_2]
