'It's Pretty Rare': Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers Reflects On Win vs. Alabama

Quinn Ewers is the first quarterback to defeat a Nick Saban-led Alabama team by 10-plus points.

Just how exceptional was Quinn Ewers' performance for the Texas Longhorns against Alabama last Saturday? He's in his own category when it comes to beating Nick Saban at home. 

Ewers dazzled en route to a 34-24 win over the then-No. 3 Crimson Tide, throwing for 349 yards and three touchdowns. Under pressure, Ewers delivered, helping the Longhorns pick up their first AP top-three win since 1969. 

“I wouldn’t say redemption, but like I said earlier, it sucks not to finish out that last game at home especially," Ewers said Monday. "But it was awesome to come in here and do what we did. It’s pretty rare. So it’s a really cool feeling."

Ewers isn't wrong. Since being hired in 2007, Saban has lost nine times at Bryant-Denny Stadium to seven different quarterbacks. Entering Saturday, Alabama was on a 21-game home winning streak, with its last loss coming against eventual national champion LSU in 2019.

Saban, who enters his 17th season on campus, has never lost by more than seven points in front of the Alabama faithful. Multiple standouts — including Cam Newton, Johnny Manziel, Chad Kelly and Joe Burrow — have defeated the seven-time national champion, but never by more than a score. 

Ewers, who left last season's 20-19 contest in the first quarter after suffering a shoulder sprain, never wavered under the pressure. Each time the Crimson Tide found their way into the end zone, the Longhorns' offense delivered. 

© Aaron E. Martinez, Austin American-Statesman

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe spruced life into the fanbase with a 49-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Burton at the end of the third quarter to give the Tide a 16-13 lead. Ewers responded with a 50-yard pitch-and-catch to Ja'Tavion Sanders before connecting with Adoni Mitchell for the 7-yard score and eventual lead. 

The Tide fought back with a 39-yard touchdown reception to Amari Niblack to put them down by three. Ewers shut the door on the comeback with a 39-yard score to Mitchell with 8:23 left on the clock. 

For his efforts, Ewers was named the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week and Big 12 Player of the Week. 

"Quinn's a dog," defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat said of Ewers' performance Saturday night. "I'm not surprised."

The No. 4 Longhorns (2-0) return to Royal-Memorial Stadium this Saturday to take on Wyoming at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on the Longhorn Network.