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Quinn Ewers And Texas Stun Nick Saban And Alabama

Quinn Ewers and Texas were able to avenge their loss to Alabama last season.

The first half of No. 11 Texas' matchup against No. 4 Alabama saw the Longhorns come out aggressive and look like the better of the two teams.

With revenge on their minds due to last season's loss against Alabama, the Longhorns had multiple opportunities to blow the game open in the first half but were unable to hit that kill-shot. Regardless, they still benefited from arguably the biggest throw of Quinn Ewers' young career who connected with Xavier Worthy on a...wait for it...deep ball that went 44 yards for a touchdown.

Heading into the second half the Longhorns had a lead 13-6 lead, but it was Alabama who answered with 10 unanswered third-quarter points headlined by a 49-yard touchdown pass by Jalen Milroe who Texas appeared to have rattled in the first half.

Sep 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) scrambles out of the packet against the Texas Longhorns during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

With Texas down 16-13, they went on a game-changing 14-point swing which may have been the first time of the Steve Sarkisian era that Texas responded to second-half adversity. Ewers hit AD Mitchell on for a touchdown to retake the lead, the defense picked off Milroe, which led to a Jonathan Brooks touchdown. 

The Crimson Tide answered again, but in what may be a Heisman-like moment for Ewers, he delivered another massive throw to Mitchell for a 39-yard touchdown. 

While a Week 2 win should never determine a season, this could be a program-shifting win for Texas which has been on a quest to be "back" for over a decade. The Texas program needed a win like this and could go a historical run now that they have finally exercised their demons of losing against non-conference opponents. To make things better, they beat Alabama in the process which makes it that much sweeter. 

The win for Texas marks the first time ever a Nick Saban assistant has beaten Saban at home. It also likely means Texas will skyrocket up the rankings from their current spot at No. 11.