Read the full transcript from Quinn Ewers' Postgame press conference on December 28, 2025.
Q: When you mentioned quarterback math to us, what was the quarterback math on that pass to WR Theo Wease Jr.?
If I recall correctly, I think they were trying to show Cover 0, and then they rolled out of it into Cover 2. So I knew the corner was going to have his eyes on me. So I just had to look at Darren (Waller) and throw right over the top of the corner, and Theo ended up making a great play on it.
Q: So when that safety crashed down on the flat route, that was you looking him off?
On the one to Theo (Wease)? Yeah. It's hard because I could see it in the peripheral in my vision, looking at Darren (Waller) and throwing to Theo, if that makes sense.
Q: So it is like a no-look pass?
Yeah but it is in the same area, so I don't really know if you'd consider it a no-look pass.
Q: It was your first touchdown pass in a regular season game, his first touchdown catch, who gets the ball?
I do. (laughter) He came running over to me, and was like are you going to keep it? Are you going to keep it? I said I'm going to keep this one, you can have the next one. (laughter) We can share it, how about that? We'll split it weekly. (laughter)
Q: You'll have many more, right?
No doubt.
Q: What was going through your mind as you ran for that first down in the fourth quarter?
With that, it was kind of like the game on the line, if you will, in my head. So get the first (down) and get down. It was a cool moment for me, to be honest. To be able to run and get past the guy and then end up getting the first down, I was pretty fired up.
Q: When you look at the accomplishments of this rookie class, what do you think? Do you think you guys have done well? Tell me about the accomplishments so far.
Yeah, I think we've done pretty well. The way that we all came in together and built a relationship, being in the hotel together, hanging out outside of football, that chemistry only helps us. It's been fun to watch the growth of these rookies on the team, including myself.
Q: How much did you appreciate the defensive effort on the other side when you were on the sideline?
No doubt. They helped us out a ton with turnovers. It is the stat that is directly correlated to the wins and losses, the turnover margin. We did a great job of taking care of the ball tonight, and they did a great job of getting after it. Big props to the defense for sure.
Q: Did you feel a greater comfort level, this being your second start?
Yeah, it definitely helps. Experience is always going to help in the quarterback position. I felt comfortable with the guys. They had confidence in me. I felt very well prepared. It's fun being back out on the field.
Q: Is there anything you can verbalize that you've learned these two games or that maybe you didn't know or you're not sure of before you get out there?
I think that adversity is going to strike, and coming out in the third quarter, adversity did strike. We had a negative play the first play with a false start, and I thought we did a really good job of staying present and staying in the moment. Hopefully we just continue to get better at that.
Q: When you went to TE Greg Dulcich several times, especially early, what is he showing you in terms of confidence that you can get the ball to him and he'll take care of it? Also, what happened on the touchdown to him?
Yeah, he's very reliable. We have a great tight end room, and it's always nice to have good, big-bodied tight ends with sure hands like him. Man, he did a great job of winning on that. We call it a spin route. He did a great job of crossing his guy's face, and I knew that if I put it in a spot, that he was going to be able to go grab it. It's fun when plays work out that way.
Q: You had third-and-11 at your own 3 in the fourth quarter, I believe. You went to TE Julian Hill. Was that play designed for him?
Yeah, it was a fake toss and roll left. He did a great job of giving presence to the d-end and then going out to the side. Yeah, he was the first read on that. I thought he did a great job of securing the catch because I had to kind of go around the d-end, and it worked out.
Q: On that TE Greg Dulcich touchdown, I think anticipation plays a role in that. You kind of throw it before you see that he gets open crossing the defender. Are there any teaching points that you picked up this season that helped lead you to that?
Yeah, I mean, it's going back to the QB math. It's the same thing. Obviously we worked a lot in practice this week, and I kind of had a great idea of where he was going to be.
Q: How did Head Coach Mike McDaniel sort of make sure from your perspective that even though the playoff consideration was not at play, it was for the opponent, and that you guys would bring a proper focus and effort?
I mean, we're playing for each other at the end of the day, and we have a lot of pride. I told these guys today, we've got to play for something bigger than ourselves because you end up playing better. I told them to think back on their why, even including myself, just to get fired up and ready to go because like you said, we're not playing for the playoffs.
Q: What was your why today?
The guys around me. Just the amount of confidence that I want to continue to build with these guys, and I want to keep building relationships with these guys. I thought we did a great job today. It's always nice to get the first win.
Q: How does that feel? I don't think we've asked you that. How does that feel to lead the guys to your first win, I guess?
It's special, no doubt. It's what I always dreamed of is playing in this league at the highest level in this position, and it's special whenever you've got a group of guys like we do this year. Going back to it, we're not playing for a Super Bowl, so I thought we did a really good job of coming out here and playing for each other and playing for our last names and playing for the organization and showing that when adversity strikes, we're going to respond, and I thought we did a great job of that.
Q: What empowers you in start number two, what empowers you to give messages like that to your teammates? Guys who have been in the league 10 years, five or whatever years, what empowers you to do that?
I think it comes with the position. No matter who's starting at the quarterback position, it's important that you tell your teammates how you feel and how you want them to play. Whether it's my second start, or if God willing, I'm playing four or five years from now, it's always going to be the same message. You've got to find out what makes these guys tick and what makes these guys go. But it comes with the shoes.
