Former Heisman Trophy winners criticize Steve Sarkisian
Dec 2, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
A couple of former Heisman Trophy winners did not like one of Steve Sarkisian’s decisions on Saturday, and they weren’t shy about sharing their opinion.
Sarkisian made a quarterback change during the second quarter of his Texas Longhorns’ 30-15 loss at home to Georgia. With his team down and not moving the ball on offense, Sarkisian decided to switch from Quinn Ewers at quarterback to Arch Manning. Manning led the Longhorns for their final two series of the first half, but the possessions only resulted in a punt and a fumble.
After Sark made the switch, former USC quarterback Matt Leinart questioned the decision.
“Premature Sark going to Arch there. How do you go back to Ewers now? A lot of ball left this game and season,” Leinart wrote on X at the time.
Premature Sark going to Arch there. How do you go back to Ewers now? A lot of ball left this game and season.
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) October 20, 2024
Former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, a former Heisman Trophy winner like Leinart, couldn’t believe the benching.
Texas BENCHED QUINN EWERS?!?!?!
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 20, 2024
“Unless Quinn Ewers is injured you ride or die with your guy. What the hell is Arch Manning gonna do against Georgia down 20? That’s not a great spot to put the young Manning in AT ALL,” Griffin wrote on X.
Unless Quinn Ewers is injured you ride or die with your guy. What the hell is Arch Manning gonna do against Georgia down 20? That’s not a great spot to put the young Manning in AT ALL. https://t.co/aCf1b4nroU
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 20, 2024
Sarkisian did not go back to Manning in the second half. Manning finished 3/6 for 19 yards and rushed for -1 yard in the game. Ewers went 25/43 for 211 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception. He at least made Texas more competitive in the second half, but the Longhorns weren’t able to do enough and lost for the first time all season.
Sarkisian explained his thinking after the game, saying that he wanted to give Ewers the chance to regroup.
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said he felt Quinn Ewers was uneasy and wanted to give him a chance to step back and regroup by putting in Arch Manning
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) October 20, 2024
The plan may have worked as Ewers played better in the second half, though Texas did not do enough to come back.
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