Steve Sarkisian, players explain goal-line call that spoiled Texas’ season and ended Quinn Ewers’ career

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas was on the edge of the end zone with a chance to tie the game with only minutes remaining in the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State. The Longhorns had the ball with first-and-goal at the 2-yard line. After a pass interference call on the Buckeyes, it was first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. 

At that point, almost nothing bad can happen. As a play caller, you have four plays to reach the end zone. As long as your calls go forward, you’re unlikely to lose much ground. Even if you get stuffed, the opposing offense starts in the shadow of their own end zone. Ironically, Texas learned this the hard way in the Peach Bowl when Arizona State forced a safety after a red zone stop. 

For quarterback Quinn Ewers, it was set to be a validating moment. The Longhorns were major underdogs and Ewers made a handful of miraculous plays in the second half to swing the game, including a long pass to tight end Gunner Helm and magical toss to a running back while being tackled for a third-and-10 conversion. 

There’s only two rules when facing a goal line stand: Don’t give up ground, and don’t turn the ball over. With their season on the line, in the 16th game of the season, in the final game for numerous mainstays of the program, Texas failed on both counts in a decision that iced a 28-14 loss against Ohio State. 

Texas ran a dive with their heavy set and running back Jerrick Gibson. It went nowhere. On second down, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian dialed up a bizarre, inexplicable, unacceptable call — a toss sweep to running back Quintrevion Wisner to the short side of the field. Ohio State’s uber talented secondary jumped all over it. Thanks to the play, 2nd-and-1 turned into 3rd-and-8. A likely tie game turned into a dire…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/steve-sarkisian-players-explain-goal-line-call-that-spoiled-texas-season-and-ended-quinn-ewers-career/

Author : Shehan Jeyarajah

Publish date : 2025-01-11 14:33:00

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