Photo via AP
Here are the highlights of Texas senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger’s media availability via Zoom on Tuesday:
--- Ehlinger said his team needs to focus on the details during each play to avoid falling behind in future game. He said the team fell asleep in the third quarter against Texas Tech. Ehlinger’s message to his teammates this week has been pay attention to details, and play with an edge on every play.
--- Ehlinger on facing Gary Patterson's defense: "TCU’s defense is always extremely challenging, and we're definitely going to have our hands full. I think they have incredible athletes, and they are really, really, well-coached. They always have schemes for [your] formations, and coach Patterson always gets them in a good call for whatever our tendencies are. It's always a handful against them. They tackle well in space. They're great athletes, and they play very sound. They're really well-coached. We're going to have to be the same way. We're going to have to be really attentive to details and take what they give us. We're definitely going to have our hands full.”
--- Ehlinger on forming a connection with grad transfer receiver Brenden Schooler so quickly: “I've really appreciated the way that he's come in and handled a new offense and a new team. He's a guy that's come in and worked extremely hard and done everything the coaches have asked. Very cerebral guy. Obviously, has been able to pick up … he played Z two weeks ago against UTEP. Last week, with Texas Tech and J-Whitt [Jordan Whittington] going down, he had to switch to slot to H and play there. So, for a guy that's only been here for two months, not super familiar with the offense, I think that shows just how smart he is, and his ability to pick up a new position, let alone a new offense. In one week, you got to learn exactly what you're doing at a different position. I really, really, appreciate the way that he's worked so hard and just bought into the program. Obviously, incredible athleticism. But what stood out most is the way that he's been able to adapt and pick up the playbook so quickly.”
--- Ehlinger said his teammates were happy to survive Texas Tech, but there is a lot to fix. In addition, Ehlinger said he had a conversation with center Derek Kerstteter about the miscommunication up front against Texas Tech, and the quarterback took ownership of his mistakes.
--- Ehlinger on the potential of this year’s offense: “We've been able to put up some points, but the really cool thing is we haven't even scratched the surface of what we're capable of doing. We actually haven't played great in either game, and we've been at able to average in the upper 50s [points per game], or whatever it may be. I think that's encouraging for us because we have so much room for improvement, and the explosiveness that we can have if we do actually play a good game is pretty scary."
--- When asked what needs to be clean up on offense, Ehlinger wants better communication.
--- Ehlinger believes there is still a home-field advantage even with a limited number of fans in attendance.
--- Ehlinger said one of the reasons why Texas was successful against Texas Tech is because of the hard running of Keaontay Ingram.
