Here are the highlights of Texas sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger’s media availability on Tuesday:
- Ehlinger was asked about last year’s loss against USC and said, “It was really tough. It was a crazy game. One of the loudest atmospheres I’ve ever been in. My first road game. I was 18 years old. Looking back on it, it was a pretty surreal moment, regardless of the outcome. Just being in the Coliseum, it is such a historic place. To play against one of the top quarterbacks (Sam Darnold), it was just an amazing experience.”
- When asked if coach Tom Herman needs to stress the importance of Saturday's game against USC, Ehlinger said the team did not need extra motivation. The quarterback believes the team should be motivated to play every week.
- Ehlinger on his performance against Tulsa: “It’s really easy to play quarterback when your offensive line is giving you time, as well as pushing dudes around in the run game. I think that was a huge step for me. It made me feel comfortable back in the pocket. Like we talked about after the game, there were some things in the check-downs, instead of forcing it, and just taking the easy ones. I think that helped as well. I think overall, our offense is moving in the right direction, and the receivers are going to get the ball. We’re getting some push up front. That makes it a lot easier on the quarterback.”
- During Texas’ final possession against Tulsa, Ehlinger said he hit three check-downs on that drive.
- When asked about the lack of quarterback runs this season, Ehlinger attributed that to being more comfortable in the pocket. Ehlinger said he previously would make two reads, and if the target was not wide open on the second read, he would take off. However, he is more comfortable making full progressions now.
- In addition, Ehlinger does not believe there were any designed quarterback runs for him against Tulsa.
- Ehlinger said the offense is focused on improving in the red zone. He took the blame for his team’s struggles in that area this season.
- Ehlinger praised Derek Kerstetter and Samuel Cosmi’s offensive line performance this year. Kerstetter played right guard and Cosmi was at right tackle. Ehlinger said he did not feel any defensive pressure from the right side against Tulsa.
- The connection between Lil’ Jordan Humphrey and Ehlinger began in the offseason, according to the quarterback. Ehlinger said he has a close relationship with Humphrey, and said his receiver knows how to find holes in opposing defenses.
- Ehlinger said Tulsa played a lot of off-coverage on receiver Collin Johnson. In addition, Tulsa clouded Johnson. That resulted in Ehlinger targeting Johnson.
- Ehlinger on running back Keaontay Ingram’s performance against Tulsa: “We knew he would do that all along. He had a great fall camp, and he’s a very special talent. He’s got great field awareness, and great wiggle, obviously, as you saw. Really excited for what he’s going to do in the future. It was good to see him make guys miss. Not make one miss and get tackled, but make one miss and break the tackle, or make two miss and gain extra yardage. I’m really, really excited for him.”
- When Ehlinger was asked how many times he watched last year’s game-changing fumble against USC, he said no more than once. He blamed that fumble on bad ball security.
- Ehlinger on the freshmen quarterbacks: “They’ve been great. They’ve been really attentive. I think that they’re going to be really good players. They are understanding the playbook. It’s really good for them to be able to sit back and watch a season unfold, understand what happens through the course of a season, and how to approach it from a quarterback perspective because it’s different than any other position. I think they’ve done a great job of handling that, and they’ve also, on the sideline, done a great job of reminding me tips, and trying to help me out in whatever they can do. I’ve been very proud of them.”
- Ehlinger was asked about last year’s loss against USC and said, “It was really tough. It was a crazy game. One of the loudest atmospheres I’ve ever been in. My first road game. I was 18 years old. Looking back on it, it was a pretty surreal moment, regardless of the outcome. Just being in the Coliseum, it is such a historic place. To play against one of the top quarterbacks (Sam Darnold), it was just an amazing experience.”
- When asked if coach Tom Herman needs to stress the importance of Saturday's game against USC, Ehlinger said the team did not need extra motivation. The quarterback believes the team should be motivated to play every week.
- Ehlinger on his performance against Tulsa: “It’s really easy to play quarterback when your offensive line is giving you time, as well as pushing dudes around in the run game. I think that was a huge step for me. It made me feel comfortable back in the pocket. Like we talked about after the game, there were some things in the check-downs, instead of forcing it, and just taking the easy ones. I think that helped as well. I think overall, our offense is moving in the right direction, and the receivers are going to get the ball. We’re getting some push up front. That makes it a lot easier on the quarterback.”
- During Texas’ final possession against Tulsa, Ehlinger said he hit three check-downs on that drive.
- When asked about the lack of quarterback runs this season, Ehlinger attributed that to being more comfortable in the pocket. Ehlinger said he previously would make two reads, and if the target was not wide open on the second read, he would take off. However, he is more comfortable making full progressions now.
- In addition, Ehlinger does not believe there were any designed quarterback runs for him against Tulsa.
- Ehlinger said the offense is focused on improving in the red zone. He took the blame for his team’s struggles in that area this season.
- Ehlinger praised Derek Kerstetter and Samuel Cosmi’s offensive line performance this year. Kerstetter played right guard and Cosmi was at right tackle. Ehlinger said he did not feel any defensive pressure from the right side against Tulsa.
- The connection between Lil’ Jordan Humphrey and Ehlinger began in the offseason, according to the quarterback. Ehlinger said he has a close relationship with Humphrey, and said his receiver knows how to find holes in opposing defenses.
- Ehlinger said Tulsa played a lot of off-coverage on receiver Collin Johnson. In addition, Tulsa clouded Johnson. That resulted in Ehlinger targeting Johnson.
- Ehlinger on running back Keaontay Ingram’s performance against Tulsa: “We knew he would do that all along. He had a great fall camp, and he’s a very special talent. He’s got great field awareness, and great wiggle, obviously, as you saw. Really excited for what he’s going to do in the future. It was good to see him make guys miss. Not make one miss and get tackled, but make one miss and break the tackle, or make two miss and gain extra yardage. I’m really, really excited for him.”
- When Ehlinger was asked how many times he watched last year’s game-changing fumble against USC, he said no more than once. He blamed that fumble on bad ball security.
- Ehlinger on the freshmen quarterbacks: “They’ve been great. They’ve been really attentive. I think that they’re going to be really good players. They are understanding the playbook. It’s really good for them to be able to sit back and watch a season unfold, understand what happens through the course of a season, and how to approach it from a quarterback perspective because it’s different than any other position. I think they’ve done a great job of handling that, and they’ve also, on the sideline, done a great job of reminding me tips, and trying to help me out in whatever they can do. I’ve been very proud of them.”
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