Before we start, Texas defensive back Josh Thompson was moved to the concussion protocol. He sustained the injury near the end on Tuesday’s practice. There is no timetable on his return.
However, linebacker Gary Johnson fully participated in Wednesday’s practice.
Here are the highlights of Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s media availability on Wednesday:
- Beck said Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger are receiving reps in practice this week. Of cource, Beck did not say who was getting first-team reps. From what we told, Buechele has received first-team reps this week.
- When asked which quarterback would play long-term, Beck said he focused on trying to beat West Virginia, and figuring out who gives them the best chance to do that.
- Beck believes Ehlinger is back at 100 percent. He said they wanted to play Ehlinger more against Kansas, but hit some “road bumps” and needed to work through it.
- Beck on what his offensive group does best: “It’s hard because it’s ever changing. Okay, coach. What do you mean? We changed running backs. Our o-line may have changed this week. Sam was playing quarterback, he was moving along, oh, here comes Shane. It’s hard to say this is what we’re really good at when the pieces are constantly changing.”
- Beck said anything they can get out of Connor Williams this week will be “awesome.”
- Beck on Lorenzo Joe earning more playing time: “One thing about Lo-Jo is, in my opinion, I think he’s probably one of the most consistent receivers. Here’s where he needs to be, when he needs to be. He understands coverage, leverage. It’s funny, he’s not the tallest guy, he’s not the fastest guy, he’s not the strongest guy, but just kind of seems to always be open, and always making plays.”
- Chris Warren III did a great job in his new role, according to Beck: “Chris is a very gifted, talented athlete. He can bend and he’s strong. That’s one thing about him. He’s able to get great leverage on blocks. He’s always been a really good blocker for us. He can do a lot of things. He’s got great hands out of the backfield. I think there's some things for him. It’s just more tools in his toolbelt. He can do all those things. We direct snapped it to him and he scored a touchdown. We kind of use him wherever we need to use of. Kind of a utility man.”
- When asked if Toneil Carter was on a pitch count against Kansas, Beck said, “No. He’s got to hang onto the football.”
- Beck said freshman running back Daniel Young is explosive, breaking tackles and moving the chains, which is why he has received more playing time.
- Beck said there is not much of a difference between Terrell Cuney and Zach Shackelford at center: “Both of those guys have done a great job for us all year. I think (offensive line coach) Derek (Warehime) has been rotating those guys in and out. He watches the pitch count a little bit, makes a rotation, and tries to keep guys healthy, as much as we can.”
- Beck described Lil’ Jordan Humphrey as a consistent, big-play guy.
- Beck on trying to balancing max protection to prevent quarterback sacks versus hoping his receivers have enough time to get open: “You hope through scouting and breakdowns that you can figure out their philosophy enough to be right the majority of the times. You’re not going to be perfect. Nobody has ever called a perfect game. Nobody has ever played a perfect game. You sit there and say, ‘Okay, in this situation, they play this defense this percentage of times, so, we’re safe at doing this.’ Now, is it going to right 100 percent? No. You try to give them, ‘If this happens, this is your out, so to speak.’ That’s kind of what you go with.”
However, linebacker Gary Johnson fully participated in Wednesday’s practice.
Here are the highlights of Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s media availability on Wednesday:
- Beck said Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger are receiving reps in practice this week. Of cource, Beck did not say who was getting first-team reps. From what we told, Buechele has received first-team reps this week.
- When asked which quarterback would play long-term, Beck said he focused on trying to beat West Virginia, and figuring out who gives them the best chance to do that.
- Beck believes Ehlinger is back at 100 percent. He said they wanted to play Ehlinger more against Kansas, but hit some “road bumps” and needed to work through it.
- Beck on what his offensive group does best: “It’s hard because it’s ever changing. Okay, coach. What do you mean? We changed running backs. Our o-line may have changed this week. Sam was playing quarterback, he was moving along, oh, here comes Shane. It’s hard to say this is what we’re really good at when the pieces are constantly changing.”
- Beck said anything they can get out of Connor Williams this week will be “awesome.”
- Beck on Lorenzo Joe earning more playing time: “One thing about Lo-Jo is, in my opinion, I think he’s probably one of the most consistent receivers. Here’s where he needs to be, when he needs to be. He understands coverage, leverage. It’s funny, he’s not the tallest guy, he’s not the fastest guy, he’s not the strongest guy, but just kind of seems to always be open, and always making plays.”
- Chris Warren III did a great job in his new role, according to Beck: “Chris is a very gifted, talented athlete. He can bend and he’s strong. That’s one thing about him. He’s able to get great leverage on blocks. He’s always been a really good blocker for us. He can do a lot of things. He’s got great hands out of the backfield. I think there's some things for him. It’s just more tools in his toolbelt. He can do all those things. We direct snapped it to him and he scored a touchdown. We kind of use him wherever we need to use of. Kind of a utility man.”
- When asked if Toneil Carter was on a pitch count against Kansas, Beck said, “No. He’s got to hang onto the football.”
- Beck said freshman running back Daniel Young is explosive, breaking tackles and moving the chains, which is why he has received more playing time.
- Beck said there is not much of a difference between Terrell Cuney and Zach Shackelford at center: “Both of those guys have done a great job for us all year. I think (offensive line coach) Derek (Warehime) has been rotating those guys in and out. He watches the pitch count a little bit, makes a rotation, and tries to keep guys healthy, as much as we can.”
- Beck described Lil’ Jordan Humphrey as a consistent, big-play guy.
- Beck on trying to balancing max protection to prevent quarterback sacks versus hoping his receivers have enough time to get open: “You hope through scouting and breakdowns that you can figure out their philosophy enough to be right the majority of the times. You’re not going to be perfect. Nobody has ever called a perfect game. Nobody has ever played a perfect game. You sit there and say, ‘Okay, in this situation, they play this defense this percentage of times, so, we’re safe at doing this.’ Now, is it going to right 100 percent? No. You try to give them, ‘If this happens, this is your out, so to speak.’ That’s kind of what you go with.”
