It was a nightmare scenario for Texas Longhorns fans when Quinn Ewers left the game in the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide after falling hard on his left shoulder.
But backup Hudson Card proved that he could be a serviceable option under center for the time being.
After taking over, Card completed 4-of-6 passes for 59 yards. He marched Texas down the field at the end of the half to try to take a halftime lead, but after a missed kick, the Longhorns had to settle for a tie ball game as they headed into the locker room at 10-10.
The moment may not be too big for Card, being as he has experience in the Texas program. The junior has 619 yards passing and five touchdowns during his three year career.
Last season, Card won a quarterback battle against Casey Thompson, but was replaced by the now-Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback after just two games under center.
“Last year was difficult in having two players that were new to the [offensive] system, and that’s always hard, especially when one of them isn’t a returning starter who had really been in the fire,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said to ESPN. “This year, even though they’re new, Hudson’s got a little experience, and Quinn is coming in from another program. The reality is Quinn should really be a freshman in college. He reclassified after preseason camp had started. It was kind of a wash of a season for him.”
Even after being benched in favor of another QB in back-to-back seasons, Card never considered leaving Texas to try to get an opportunity as a starter elsewhere.
“There’ll be competition everywhere,” Card said. “I just decided to give it my best shot. A lot of it too was faith. This is just where I want to be at this moment.”
It’s unclear if Ewers will return to the game against Alabama, but this could wind up the biggest opportunity of Card’s career. Perhaps he’ll just seize the moment.
