Ewers throws 4 TDs as No. 7 Texas bids farewell to Big 12 with 49-21 title win over Oklahoma State

— Texas needed to finish off its Big 12 Conference era in style in hopes of impressing the College Football Playoff selection committee enough to have a shot at garnering a top-four ranking.

The Longhorns certainly did that, pounding Oklahoma State 49-21 in the Big 12 title game Saturday at Cowboys Stadium. All the Longhorns can do now is wait until Sunday to learn its CFP fate. It’s the fourth Big 12 title in the program’s history.

Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers had a career day to help his squad win the conference title, throwing for 452 yards on 35 of 46 passing with four touchdowns and an interception. He broke the Big 12 title game record for passing yards in a game previously held by Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and tied the record for touchdown passes.

It was the fourth Big 12 title for the Longhorns (12-1, No. 7 CFP), and their first since 2009. They also won the championship game in the league’s inaugural 1996 season and in 2005 when they were last national champs.

Texas wideout Adonai Mitchell had 109 yards on six catches while tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders hauled in eight catches for 105 yards. Each had a touchdown reception. Xavier Worthy caught six passes for 86 yards but left in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be an ankle injury. He was helped to the locker room and returned to the sideline with a boot on his leg and crutches.

Keilan Robinson needed four carries to rack up 75 rushing yards, which included a 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and an 11-yard scoring run in the fourth. CJ Baxter had 13 carries for 43 yards with a touchdown while Jaydon Blue gained 33 yards on 10 carries. Blue also had 38 receiving yards on three catches with a touchdown. Texas rushed for 198 yards on 40 attempts, and the Longhorns outgained Oklahoma State 662-281.

The Texas run defense was tremendous once again. Coming into the game No. 4 in FBS with 85 rushing yards allowed per game, they shut down Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II, the nation’s leading rusher. Gordon gained 34 yards on 13 carries after averaging more than 130 rushing yards per game coming in. As a team, Oklahoma State rushed for 31 yards on 18 carries.

Defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat, who was named the Big 12 defensive player of the year earlier in the week, caught a 2-yard touchdown pass with 1:41 left in the first quarter to give Texas a 21-7 lead. After he caught the pass, he hit the Heisman Trophy pose to celebrate.

For Oklahoma State, quarterback Alan Bowman finished 22-for-38 for 250 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Brennan Presley hauled in nine catches for 93 yards with a touchdown and Rashod Owens scored twice on four catches and 85 yards.

The CFP selection committee will announce its four semifinal teams at 11 a.m. Sunday, but Sarkisian said even if the Longhorns don’t end up in the semifinals, this season would still be “an amazing success.”

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