ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Quinn Ewers stepped up in the pocket and saw green grass ahead of him. He could scramble for a first down. Ewers, though, looked past the first-down sticks.
Why run, when the Texas quarterback could unleash that big right arm?
His tight end, Gunnar Helm, slipped into that sweet space behind the linebackers and between the defensive backs. All alone in the back of the end zone.
Zip.
Touchdown.
Ewers made it look easy. All day long.
Ewers and his Longhorns had Michigan on a string Saturday afternoon at Michigan Stadium. The defending national champions dried up like an old road apple that Texas kicked aside.
No. 3 Texas 31, No. 9 Michigan 12.
The 111,170 fans who spent big bucks on tickets probably expected a heavyweight clash.
Michigan cheated those fans out of a good game. Only one heavyweight showed his face.
A top-10 showdown became a beatdown.
Texas (2-0) pulverized the Wolverines (1-1). Flat whipped ‘em, and left ‘em buried under the foundation of the Big House.
Some might call this overdue comeuppance for Michigan after it stole signs and flouted NCAA rules en route to an undefeated season and its first national championship since 1997, but karma could take Saturday afternoon off. Her services weren’t required. The Longhorns handled this themselves.
Texas bullied Michigan at the lines of scrimmage. Ewers took care of the rest, with his 246 passing yards and three touchdowns. Michigan looked drained of the dominance it showed under Jim Harbaugh.
Yes, cheating prospered, but reducing the 2023 Wolverines’ success to Connor Stalions’ handiwork is overly reductive. Harbaugh’s Wolverines had everything they needed to pursue glory, including a dependable quarterback, a dominant offensive line and a disruptive defense.
These Wolverines feature none of that. The offense lacks downfield punch while first-year starting quarterback Davis Warren mans the controls. He didn’t receive much help, either.
If Michigan doesn’t develop some offense – and a quarterback – throughout the next two months, even Ryan Day will beat this team.
A pair of clocks tucked inside the left corner of the scoreboards here track time of possession. For most of the game, the clock on Texas’ side of the ledger seemed to operate at turbo speed while the Longhorns marched on long scoring drives, and the Wolverines’ clock struggled to keep pace.
A two-play sequence late in the first half encapsulated Michigan’s day. Wide receiver Semaj Morgan ran free through Texas’ secondary for what should have been a big gain, but Warren’s pass soared over his head. Warren found some touch on the next play and connected with Colston Loveland. Texas’ nearest defender stood 5 yards away, while Loveland stumbled toward the first-down line.
No matter. Loveland let the ball slip from his hand.
Texas recovered Loveland's fumble.
The Longhorns forced three turnovers – they intercepted Warren twice – but it would be more appropriate to call this one gifted. OK, so maybe karma helped a bit.
Loveland is projected to be a first-round NFL draft pick, but Texas’ Helm claimed the starring tight end role on this day, with his 98 receiving yards.
Helps having Ewers as your quarterback.
Ewers looked really good on first and second downs. He turned masterful on third downs.
The windy conditions were more conducive to kite-flying than pigskin tossing, but the breeze didn't affect Ewers.
This was the quarterback we saw lift Texas past Alabama last September on the road. He's the quarterback keeping Arch Manning on the sideline.
That Steve Sarkisian developed Ewers from five-star prospect to star performer seems obvious.
Sark arrived in Austin with a well-earned reputation as an ace recruiter and a deft guide of quarterbacks. He's all of that, but he instilled a much-needed mean streak in Texas, too.
While Texas stumbled through years of mediocrity, the Longhorns were soft. They failed to play up to their talent level. They became a punchline. That’s old news. These Longhorns are no joke.
Texas’ veteran offensive line punished Michigan to an extent rarely seen in the Harbaugh era.
Midway through the second half, with the rout fully on, a Texas fan wearing a fringed western shirt held up Hook ‘em Horns and urged more Texas fans clad in burnt orange to join in the jubilation.
Michigan fans stood in stunned silence.
Horns up. Maize cut down.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.
Subscribe to read all of his columns. Also, check out his podcast, SEC Football Unfiltered, and newsletter, SEC Unfiltered.
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