Even With Quinn Ewers Back, Texas Longhorns Backup QB Maalik Murphy Must 'Stay Ready'

Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers is making his return to the field on Saturday against TCU, but Steve Sarkisian needs Maalik Murphy to remain ready to go vs. the Horned Frogs.

AUSTIN, TX -- Texas Longhorns fans were looking for some good in regards to their starting quarterback Quinn Ewers news ahead of the team's matchup with the TCU Horned Frogs in Fort Worth.

And it looks like they got just that, with Ewers set to return after missing the last two games due to injury.

However, despite Ewers returning to the lineup in Fort Worth, Sarkisian wants his backup, Maalik Murphy, to remain ready.

"What I'm telling him is you've got to stay ready, you've got to stay prepared," Sarkisian said. "You've got to stay focused, you've got to stay locked into the plan, like he always does."

Texas Longhorns QB Maalik Murphy and head coach Steve Sarkisian :: Jay Janner/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK

Murphy has started the last two games for Texas in the absence of Ewers, and while he had his struggles, he has also shown tremendous upside throughout both games. 

During his first start vs. BYU on October 28, Murphy showed glimpses of something special, completing 16 of 25 passes for 170 yards and two scores with one interception.

Murphy cooled down a bit vs. Kansas State in his second start, completing 19 of 37 passes for 248 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions.

Despite the struggles in his second outing, however, Sarkisian was more than pleased with what the redshirt freshman brought to the table, but also reminded him that he is just unfortunately one play away from being right back on the field.

"He played some pretty good football for us, and he should be proud of that," Sarkisian said. "He's setting himself up for what the future can be, but that future can be Saturday night."

Texas and TCU will kick off at 6:30 pm CT in Fort Worth, with Murphy ready to roll if his name is called yet again.