Texas Longhorns College Football Pregame Quote, 01/08/2025

Q. What is your comfortability in that stadium (AT&T Stadium)?

QB QUINN EWERS: Yeah, I’ve played in it a couple of times, dating back to high school. I really do enjoy playing there. Obviously, it’s close to where I’m from (Southlake, Texas). The Dallas area is a little different. It’s nice. I think I’ve lost one game there?

Q. Quinn, the other day you talked about how excited you were to reunite with some guys like Jack Sawyer, Tyleik Williams, guys you’ve played with. Does it feel real that you’re actually here? Talk about what that’s going to mean to you.

QB QUINN EWERS: Yeah, it’s wild. I don’t think it’s ever going to feel real until we get on that field. I’m excited to get to see those guys.

Q. When you think back to those two games in 2020, walking off that field with a loss for Southlake, and then your great performance in ’23 in the Big 12 title game, what do you remember about just the emotions and the difference in that building (AT&T Stadium)?

QB QUINN EWERS: Yeah, like you said, it’s completely two different outcomes of a game. You know, winning is a whole lot nicer, especially a Big 12 championship game.

But going back to it, again, I just enjoy playing in this stadium for sure.

Q. You got to the Semifinals last year. You’ve had to win a couple extra games to get there this year. How does it feel to have these games stacked on top of each other?

QB QUINN EWERS: I feel like we’re in a good spot. I like the 12 team playoff. And I forget how many weeks we had off for the four man playoff. Two, two and a half, three, or something like that.

But it’s nice to still be playing football and keep that momentum rolling.

Q. Do you think it was inevitable that one of these days you were going to play against Ohio State? You understand what I’m saying. It’s kind of ironic, right?

QB QUINN EWERS: Yeah, it is. A full circle moment, for sure. Excited to get to see those guys and get to be up against them.

Q. What’s the best thing you picked up the four months you were there that kind of still sticks with you?

QB QUINN EWERS: CJ [Stroud] was in front of me, so being able to watch how CJ and Coach [Ryan] Day and those guys prepared at a high level for the college games. That was really my first time getting implemented into college football, so that’s one thing.

Q. You said you felt that you belonged there. I know it was for a short period of time, but how special was that culture for you?

QB QUINN EWERS: Yeah, like I said, they all welcomed me with open arms. It was weird for me, just because I skipped my senior year, and I’m going in in the middle of fall camp. It’s just a weird dynamic for somebody to do that.

They all welcomed me, and everybody was friendly. So, I felt it all clicked early. I’m glad I got to do that.

Q. Do you think it’s going to feel like a home game?

QB QUINN EWERS: Yeah, being in Texas, an out of state opponent coming in, it does feel like a home game. Obviously, got a lot of guys from DFW, so that helps, for sure.

Q. What’s the biggest difference between being at Ohio State and Texas now?

QB QUINN EWERS: I guess being closer to home is one big difference. Closer to all my resources. I get to use my resources more often.

Q. Was it a mistake to go to Ohio State? How do you reconcile those things?

QB QUINN EWERS: I don’t think it was a mistake at all. I don’t like to play the “what if” game and all that sort of stuff.

I learned a lot while I was up there. Learned a lot about myself while I was up there. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Q. You said you were roommates with [Jack] Sawyer. Have you reached out to him or anybody else?

QB QUINN EWERS: We haven’t talked, so far.

Q. Is that going to make it maybe more special, like you haven’t really talked? Are you going to reunite again?

QB QUINN EWERS: Maybe. I don’t know. We’ll see.

Q. You weren’t even 2 years old the last time Texas won the national title. Have you gone back and watched that game at all?

QB QUINN EWERS: I’ve seen it a couple times.

Q. What do you think when you watch that game? What does it mean, the thought of building more legacy for this program?

QB QUINN EWERS: Yeah, I mean, it’s obviously special for all those guys. They’re not supposed to win that game, whatever it was. They go out there, and it was one of the best college football games of all time. It’s definitely special.

For us to be in that mix the past two years.

Q. Can you kind of draw from that game? They were underdogs. This game here now, you are underdogs.

QB QUINN EWERS: Every season is a different season.

Q. They only had to play one game, though. You got to play five, counting the Georgia SEC game. What kind of grind is that?

QB QUINN EWERS: It’s a new dynamic, for sure. Like you said, it’s a little different. Every year is a little different.

But I like the new playoff dynamic. It’s fun.

Q. Coach Sark (Steve Sarkisian) said that you guys were underdogs heading into this game. How unusual is that feeling to be that, given that it’s in Texas?

QB QUINN EWERS: I mean, personally, I don’t even know or pay attention to all the whoever the lines are and all that sort of thing. It doesn’t do anything for me.

Q. When you look at Ohio State’s defense, what jumps out at you most of all? They kind of had a renaissance there in the middle of the year after the Oregon game. What jumps out at you about them?

QB QUINN EWERS: Well, I think they play really hard. They’re a sound defense. They do a good job on the interior of creating one on ones and hard matchups.

Overall, I think they’re just a disciplined football team, and they’re always in the right spot.