Here are the highlights of Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger’s media availability before practice on Tuesday:
--- Ehlinger was visibly frustrated after Texas went three-and-out on its final possession, a stalled drive that enabled Iowa State to run out the clock and a kick a game-winning field goal. Ehlinger admitted he was frustrated by the lack of execution during that three-and-out.
--- Texas had success with four and five wideouts against Iowa State, and when asked if he could have checked out of those plays, Ehlinger said, “No, I completely trust the play-calling, and I do what I'm supposed to do.”
--- Ehlinger said his goal is to keep everyone focused during the final two regular season games. In addition, Ehlinger said the Longhorns have a group of seniors who have been through a lot, and it would be unfair for the team to give up when those guys worked so hard. Ehlinger also believes it is important for young players to develop and get better during the remaining games.
--- Ehlinger’s response when asked about if he is surprised his team is at this point, and to express the level of frustration in the locker room: “I don't like to set expectations because life is so unpredictable. Definitely a high level of frustration because the standard of what we believe that we're capable of has not been attained for us as players, and that's frustrating. We can't control the past, and we have to focus on the future.”
--- One reporter reminded Ehlinger he said, “We’re back” after the Sugar Bowl, and wanted to know how frustrating is it because the fan base is disgruntled: “That has no implication on how we approach continuing to develop every day.”
--- Ehlinger on what he has liked and disliked about his performance this year: “We'll have to kind of sit down and evaluate the season as a whole in a few weeks. Off the top of my head, doing a better job of sitting in the pocket, and trusting the guys down the field to make plays. I think when things do break down, I can do a better job keep my eyes downfield because of the scrambling threat that I pose over the past few years, I think the linebackers, and some of the defensive guys, have to respect that. So when things do break down, there might not be anything initially open when I do break the pocket, keep my eyes down the field to have a chance to make a big play, because they do have to come up to respect the run.”
--- Ehlinger was asked if Texas needs to run an up-tempo offense more often and said, “It’s not up to me.”
--- When asked why up-tempo works so well for the Longhorns, Ehligner said, “Just because we have incredible athletes, and when we start getting in tempo, we get a rhythm. I think the passing game in turn opens up the running game and vice versa. We’re more comfortable when we're rolling and playing carefree and not thinking.”
--- Ehlinger was visibly frustrated after Texas went three-and-out on its final possession, a stalled drive that enabled Iowa State to run out the clock and a kick a game-winning field goal. Ehlinger admitted he was frustrated by the lack of execution during that three-and-out.
--- Texas had success with four and five wideouts against Iowa State, and when asked if he could have checked out of those plays, Ehlinger said, “No, I completely trust the play-calling, and I do what I'm supposed to do.”
--- Ehlinger said his goal is to keep everyone focused during the final two regular season games. In addition, Ehlinger said the Longhorns have a group of seniors who have been through a lot, and it would be unfair for the team to give up when those guys worked so hard. Ehlinger also believes it is important for young players to develop and get better during the remaining games.
--- Ehlinger’s response when asked about if he is surprised his team is at this point, and to express the level of frustration in the locker room: “I don't like to set expectations because life is so unpredictable. Definitely a high level of frustration because the standard of what we believe that we're capable of has not been attained for us as players, and that's frustrating. We can't control the past, and we have to focus on the future.”
--- One reporter reminded Ehlinger he said, “We’re back” after the Sugar Bowl, and wanted to know how frustrating is it because the fan base is disgruntled: “That has no implication on how we approach continuing to develop every day.”
--- Ehlinger on what he has liked and disliked about his performance this year: “We'll have to kind of sit down and evaluate the season as a whole in a few weeks. Off the top of my head, doing a better job of sitting in the pocket, and trusting the guys down the field to make plays. I think when things do break down, I can do a better job keep my eyes downfield because of the scrambling threat that I pose over the past few years, I think the linebackers, and some of the defensive guys, have to respect that. So when things do break down, there might not be anything initially open when I do break the pocket, keep my eyes down the field to have a chance to make a big play, because they do have to come up to respect the run.”
--- Ehlinger was asked if Texas needs to run an up-tempo offense more often and said, “It’s not up to me.”
--- When asked why up-tempo works so well for the Longhorns, Ehligner said, “Just because we have incredible athletes, and when we start getting in tempo, we get a rhythm. I think the passing game in turn opens up the running game and vice versa. We’re more comfortable when we're rolling and playing carefree and not thinking.”
