7 hours Ago By Eric Smithling, Yardbarker
Texas found an answer to its quarterback controversy in the first half of its College Football Playoff first-round game against Clemson. It doesn't matter who takes snaps from center when Texas's running game is as dominant as it has been. In the first two quarters, the Longhorns had 22 carries, 148 yards and three touchdowns.
Entering Saturday's game, 12-seed Clemson (10-3) allowed an average of 150.5 rushing yards per game. Per the TNT Sports CFP broadcast, 5-seed Texas (11-2) gained 116 yards before contact, illustrative of Longhorns running backs' speed against the slower-footed Tigers defense.
Quintrevion Wisner led the Longhorns with 87 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Jaydon Blue chipped in with seven carries for 56 yards and a touchdown. The duo combined for five carries of 10 yards or more, including Blue's 38-yard touchdown to break a 7-7 tie.
38-YARDS UNTOUCHED FOR BLUE Texas takes a 14-7 lead over Clemson!!️ pic.twitter.com/diwPMNgCeN With Texas' rushing attack overwhelming Clemson's defense, quarterback Quinn Ewers didn't have to carry the team.
In the lead-up to Saturday's game, some have expressed a desire in head coach Steve Sarkisian to insert backup Arch Manning into the starting lineup. But Ewers performed well in the first half, going 11-of-14 for 141 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Ewers' turnover came after wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr.
failed to reel in a pass that hit him on the hands. It bounced to Tigers safety R.J.
Mickens, giving Ewers little responsibility for that miscue. Clemson picks off Quinn Ewers An illegal blindside block negated the TD. pic.
twitter.com/mg0HhM8DwR Texas' running game was a major question mark at the beginning of the season, but it's become the team's strength in the postseason. In August, the team lost 2023 opening-game starting running back CJ Baxter (knee) and true freshman Christian Clark (Achilles) to injuries.
At the time, Ewers remained upbeat. "I think we have guys that are going to be more than capable of stepping in and filling up those roles," Ewers said. Wisner and Blue have proved his optimism wasn't unwarranted.
They also might have saved his job..
