QB Ehlinger taking control of Texas offense
Oct 17, 2017 - 2:18 AM AUSTIN, Texas -- For the first time this season, Texas coach Tom Herman was not asked during his Monday media availability who his starting quarterback would be that week.True freshman Sam Ehlinger has grabbed the position and won't let go, even though he's listed as the "or" starter along with sophomore Shane Buechele on the Longhorns' depth chart.
Instead, Herman was queried about the toll that Ehlinger, who is the Longhorns' second-leading rusher with 271 yards despite not playing in two of the contests, is taking week to week.
"I worry about it -- we don't want our quarterback carrying 20, 22 times," Herman said. "Now if you've got to have it to win the game, you know, we're going to do whatever it takes to win the game."
Ehlinger has become the heart and unquestioned offensive leader of this team. He had 278 yards passing with a touchdown and a gutsy 106 yards on the ground on 22 bone-crunching carries against Oklahoma on Saturday.
The Sooners won 29-24, but Ehlinger continued to show his moxie and swagger, especially in the running game.
"Sam is like a wild horse right now that you're trying to tame him a little bit," Herman said. "But you don't want to take away his energy and one of the things that makes him so effective. There's always a fine line in dealing with guys that can make those plays with their feet."
Ehlinger has completed 85 of 156 passes (54.5 percent) for 1,178 yards, with six touchdowns and three interceptions.
Texas (3-3, 2-1 Big 12 play) hosts No. 10 Oklahoma State (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) on Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas advanced stats preview Dec 26
- How UTSA transfer edge Trey Moore fits at Texas Dec 24
- Elite transfer edge Trey Moore signs with Texas over Alabama Dec 23
- Report: UTSA edge Trey Moore set to decide between Alabama and Texas on Saturday Dec 23
- Updates on Texas players in the NCAA transfer portal: Maalik Murphy commits to Duke Dec 23
- Four-star WR Aaron Butler signs with Texas over Arizona and Washington Dec 23
- Longhorns Daily News: Texas football’s Xavier Worthy, T`Vondre Sweat land on Mel Kiper’s latest NFL Draft prospect list Dec 22
- Staff Roundtable: Early Signing Day Dec 22
- Texas players, coaches confident in freshman QB Arch Manning as the backup Dec 21
- Updates on Texas players in the NCAA transfer portal: Casey Cain reunites with Brennan Marion at UNLV Dec 21
- The story behind Texas commissioning billboards for 2024 signees Dec 21
- Longhorns Daily News: Texas’ Steve Sarkisian: ‘Our players get a lot of credit for this recruiting class’ Dec 21