No. 11 Texas traveled to Tuscaloosa and handed Alabama its first loss of the season, upsetting the No. 3 Crimson Tide 34-24. Here’s what you need to know:
- Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers showed off his arm strength, completing 24 of 38 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns.
- Alabama QB Jalen Milroe got off to a slow start but finished with 255 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-27 passing. He tossed two interceptions, the first of which Texas’ Jahdae Barron picked early in the first quarter and the second Jerrin Thompson snagged in the fourth.
- Ja’Tavion Sanders was the Longhorns’ leading receiver with 114 yards on five catches, but AD Mitchell hauled in two of Ewers’ TD tosses. Xavier Worthy also accounted for a touchdown.
- Alabama struggled with penalties, getting hit with 10 for 90 yards.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What the win means for Texas
Last year Texas felt good keeping it close with Alabama. Though the loss hurt, the Longhorns told themselves the growth of the program was tangible by staying on the same field as mighty Alabama. This year, staying close wouldn’t have been enough. And when Alabama took control of the game late in the third quarter, it felt like a “here we go again” moment.
But no, Texas got right up after being punched in the mouth and scored 14 consecutive points on the road against the most talented team in the country. There is no telling whether Texas will be able to avoid the dumb upsets that have been so costly, but it’s fair to say this team is different. It rose to the occasion during a close game against an elite opponent on the road. If you don’t have them as one of the favorites to make the College Football Playoff now, you weren’t watching. — Wasserman
Highlight of the game
target acquired 🎯
📺 https://t.co/eM6elaePIa pic.twitter.com/HBv0ek6hyT
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 10, 2023
Further reading
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty)
