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.

The Quinn Ewers era at Texas is most certainly over. Before the Cotton Bowl, Ewers told ESPN that he was going to enter the draft. There have also been rumors of a hefty NIL deal waiting for the Southlake Carroll product if he transfers.