"It definitely left a dry taste in our mouth": Texas QB Quinn Ewers on playoff loss to Michael Penix Jr's Washington last season
Led by Quinn Ewers at quarterback, the Longhorns tasted the possibility of national glory, only to have it ripped away by Michael Penix Jr’s Washington. The Texas Longhorns hope to return to the College Football Playoff after losing to the Washington Huskies in the 2023 semifinals.
“We kind of know what it takes to get where we want to go and what more we need to do,” Ewers said via ESPN. “Obviously, it wasn’t enough, so we know we need to take that extra step whether it’s on the field or off the field, but it definitely left a dry taste in our mouth.”
The Longhorns were one win away from the national championship game. That experience has fueled their motivation for the upcoming season, where Texas is poised to be a major contender once again.
Quinn Ewers returned for his senior season instead of entering the 2024 NFL Draft. Ewers' can elevate his draft stock for the 2025 NFL Draft if he ends up with a championship.
Quinn Ewers faces SEC in Texas' national title quest
The Texas Longhorns are ready to take a major leap in 2024, but their path to national glory just got a whole lot tougher.
After a successful run in the Big 12, they'll be tested by the Southeastern Conference, arguably the toughest conference in college football.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers, however, isn't shying away from the challenge. He led the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth last season, showing the program's growth under coach Steve Sarkisian.
While the competition will be fierce, Ewers has the talent; he already got a taste of the SEC in a week-two matchup against Alabama last year, proving he can compete with the conference's elite.
Texas remains a national championship contender. Their experience in last year's four-team playoff, where they fell to Washington in the Sugar Bowl, is invaluable. The upcoming expansion to a 12-team playoff offers a slightly easier path to get back in, but the road to the title will still be grueling.