Houston Cougars Coach Dana Holgorsen Is A Big Fan Of Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers
AUSTIN -- As the absolute leader of the team and playing the most important position in the sport, it should come as no surprise that quarterback Quinn Ewers is a main point of preparation for the Houston Cougars against the No. 8 Texas Longhorns this Saturday.
When asked about Ewers during his press conference this week, Cougars head coach Dana Holgoren had nothing but good things to say about the Longhorns gunslinger.
That said, he was also quick to point out that they could not get too focused on Ewers alone.
“Not only him (Ewers) but the back is good, the three receivers are good, the tight end is good, they’re big up front. You gotta prepare for all of it," Holgorsen said. "And then the running back, you’re like ‘Who’s this dude?’ He played behind two NFL guys last year and so that dude’s exceptional, as good as anybody in the country.”
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) throws a pass during the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns
BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK
Holgorsen, of course, has coached his fair share of elite quarterbacks, including Graham Harrell, Case Keenum, Brandon Weeden, Geno Smith, and Will Grier.
In two seasons under Holgorsen, Greir through for 7,354 yards and 71 touchdowns, completing 65.7 percent of his passes, while Smith threw for 11,353 yards and 97 touchdowns in three seasons as the starter.
Brandon Weeden also put up electric numbers under Holgorsen in 2010, throwing for 4,277 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Meanwhile with Holgorsen as their offensive coordinator, Keenum threw from 10,691 yards and 88 touchdowns in two seasons, while Harrell tossed for 15,371 yards and 131 touchdowns.
Halfway through this season, current Cougars starter Donovan Smith is lighting it up himself as well, throwing for 1,601 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Suffice it to say, when Holgorsen speaks on quarterbacks, it is smart to listen - and he is a big fan of what Ewers can do.
"The quarterback is playing well, Ewers is playing well," Holgorsen said, "I didn’t really watch much of what he did last year. We’ve just really focused on what it is this year and he’s playing at a high level. He’s a pocket guy, he can make every throw, and his arm talent is there. They don’t run him a whole lot but he can scramble around and get some first downs."
Through six games this season, Ewers has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for 1,704 yards and 11 touchdowns and has rushed for five more scores.
On Saturday, Ewers is looking to increase those numbers in a big way against a Houston defense that ranks 117th in the country against the pass, giving up 267 yards per game.
And Holgorsen knows that coming off of a loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, the Horns will be motivated to do just that.
"They’ve had two weeks coming off a loss to Oklahoma," Holgorsen said. "I could only imagine what their mindset is. They’ve been dominant all season but to have two weeks coming off that game I’m sure they’re going to be about as motivated as anyone in college football coming into Houston on Saturday afternoon.”
