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Sam Ehlinger’s defining moment as a Texas Longhorn is easily identifiable to anyone familiar with the program. It occurred on January 1, 2019. Ehlinger led his 15th-ranked Longhorns to an unexpected victory against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. This was a Georgia team many college football observers believed deserved a spot in the playoffs that season. After Bevo nearly ran over Uga X prior to the game, Ehlinger rushed for three touchdowns during that victory. Texas won its 10th game, its first double-digit win season since 2009. Ehlinger was just a sophomore with two more years of anticipated success ahead of him.
“Longhorn nation, we’re backkkkkkkkkkkkkkk,” Ehlinger proclaimed on the podium.
Texas fans in attendance went wild. Supporters watching at home received an instant adrenaline rush. Tom Herman’s heart dropped in disbelief. The French Quarter partying lasted all night long. Ehlinger instantly raised the expectation of a historically successful football program. It was a great moment for Ehlinger.
However, Texas was not back in 2019. The Longhorns finished the regular season 7-5, which included four conference losses. Texas knocked off Utah in the Alamo Bowl, but that was a consolation prize. Texas is back meant competing for the Big 12 title and appearing in major bowl games. It did not mean settling for a postseason game in San Antonio.
As Texas prepares for the season opener against UTEP on Saturday, it is time for one final reminder.
This season will determine Ehlinger’s Longhorn legacy.
Photo via HookEm.com
To be clear, Ehlinger is already one of the best quarterbacks in school history. He is definitely the best quarterback since Colt McCoy. There is no denying Ehlinger has emerged into one of the finest college quarterbacks in the country. Nobody will be surprised if Ehlinger becomes a Heisman Trophy contender this season.
Here is where Ehlinger ranks statistically in Longhorn history:
MOST PASSING YARDS (CAREER)
1. Colt McCoy 13,253 (2006-09)
2. Sam Ehlinger 8,870 (2017-current)
3. Major Applewhite 8,353 (1998-2001)
4. James Brown 7,638 (1994-97)
5. Peter Gardere 7,396 (1989-92)
6. Chris Simms 7,097 (1999-2002)
7. Vince Young 6,040 (2003-05)
8. Bret Stafford 4,735 (1984-87)
9. David Ash 4,728 (2011-14)
10. Shane Buechele 4,636 (2016-18)
MOST PASSING YARDS (SINGLE SEASON) - 2,000 OR MORE
1. Colt McCoy 3,859 (2008)
2. Sam Ehlinger 3,663 (2019)
3. Colt McCoy 3,521 (2009)
4. Major Applewhite 3,357 (1999)
5. Colt McCoy 3,303 (2007)
TOP FIVE COMPLETIONS (SINGLE SEASON)
1. Colt McCoy 332 (2009)
2. Colt McCoy 332 (2008)
3. Sam Ehlinger 296 (2019)
4. Colt McCoy 276 (2007)
5. Sam Ehlinger 275 (2018)
MOST CONSECUTIVE PASSES WITHOUT AN INTERCEPTION
1. Sam Ehlinger 308 (2018)
2. Sam Ehlinger 162 (2019 Sugar Bowl-2019)
3. Major Applewhite 156 (1999)
4. Major Applewhite 138 (1999)
5. Case McCoy 126 (2012-13)
MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES (CAREER)
1. Colt McCoy 112 (2006-09)
2. Sam Ehlinger 67 (2017-pr.)
3. Major Applewhite 60 (1998-2001)
4. Chris Simms 58 (1999-2002)
5. James Brown 53 (1994-97)
Those numbers cement Ehlinger’s legacy as an exceptional Longhorn quarterback.
Nevertheless, Ehlinger has appeared in only one Big 12 Championship Game during his career – and is 1-3 against Oklahoma.
Ehlinger must win a Big 12 title this season to solidify his legacy.
Let me take you back to something I wrote in February. Considering how much has changed since that time of innocence, now is a great time for a refresher.
Ehlinger will become the fourth four-starter at quarterback in Longhorn history (minimum of six starts each year). The other three players are Bobby Layne (1944-1947), Peter Gardere (1988-1992), and Colt McCoy (2006-2009).
What do those three quarterbacks have in common?
Each won a conference title during their tenure at Texas.
Now, let us look at career starts for Longhorn quarterbacks.
1. Colt McCoy: 53 (2006-09)
2. Peter Gardere: 41 (1988-92)
3. James Brown: 39 (1994-97)
4. Marty Akins: 36 (1973-75)
5. Bobby Layne: 34 (1944-47)
6. Bret Stafford: 34 (1985-87)
7. Sam Ehlinger: 33 (2017-present)
What do most of those guys have in common?
Five of the quarterbacks on that list won a conference title.
--- McCoy in 2009
--- Gardere in 1990
--- Brown won three (1994 and 1995, SWC; Big 12 in 1996)
--- Akins in 1973 and 1975
--- Layne in 1945
Stafford and Ehlinger are the only quarterbacks on that list without a conference championship.
Ehlinger was recently asked if he needed a Big 12 title to solidify his legacy at Texas and took the high road.
"That's up for you to determine,” Ehlinger said. “I know for myself, my mission at the University of Texas is to leave the program better than it was when I got here. That's kind of my mindset with everything that I do in life. That's my main mission. If I feel that in December, or whenever the season ends, if I'm leaving and the program is better than when I first got here three-and-a-half years ago, I would say that was a success in my mind."
I seriously doubt Ehlinger’s only goal was to surpass the legacy of Tyrone Swoopes .
We have the image of Ehlinger throwing the Hook 'em Horns sign as a kid. He grew up a Longhorn fan. Playing for Texas was his dream. Even if he does not want to publicly admit it, logic says Ehlinger’s goal was to lead Texas to a national championship. Heck, the moment Ehlinger thought Texas was on the right path, he could not contain himself on that podium in New Orleans.
Let us keep it real.
Ehlinger deserves a ton of credit for what he has accomplished during his tenure.
He successfully battled against Shane Buechele as a freshman. Yes, Ehlinger has turnovers against USC that year. There was that interception against Oklahoma State. That back-breaking interception against Texas Tech. I give Herman credit for seeing past those mistakes and believing his young quarterback would improve.
Ehlinger eventually became so good, Casey Thompson, Cameron Rising and Buechele entered the transfer portal after realizing they could not beat him out. Ehlinger was arguably better than Kyler Murray during a regular-season victory against Oklahoma. He did not throw an interception in 10 consecutive games that season. Ehlinger also stood toe-to-toe with LSU quarterback Joe Burrow last year.
Maybe having Texas offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich will help achieve greatness. Maybe being better than every quarterback Texas will face this season is a sign of things to come. Maybe staying healthy this season is all Ehlinger needs.
We know there is greatness inside of Ehlinger.
To be remembered as an all-time great, he just needs one more achievement.
This season will determine Ehlinger’s Longhorn legacy.
Funniest Things You Will See This Week
I know we are not supposed to discuss politics on OB, but there are certain issues that cannot be ignored
Billy, got out that camera
Dude is lucky she did not climb over that counter and whip him (bad language alert)
Sports On A Dime
1. After TCU postponed the season opener against SMU, the Big 12 announced its football cancellation thresholds. We need to memorize this:
“The minimum number of players required to play a game has been set at 53. The number is based on the entire roster, including all scholarship and walk-on players.
Additional minimum thresholds of available players were also established for offensive linemen (7), interior defensive linemen (4) and quarterback (1). Teams falling below any of these benchmarks, based on game week test results, could still elect to play as scheduled if so desired. Otherwise, upon approval by the Commissioner, the game would be declared a no-contest if it cannot be moved to a later date.”
2. I clearly missed the criticism some OB members were throwing at Herman this offseason as it relates to taking a pay cut. Some Longhorn observers believed Herman was unwilling to absorb a salary reduction, but that assumption is incorrect. According to my sources, Herman approached Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte several months ago and offered to take a pay decrease, but was told to wait. In fact, I recently learned Herman offered having a portion of his salary allocated to save the jobs of multiple staff members. Of course, Herman’s 15 percent pay cut may have indirectly saved jobs. Just know Herman, along with other staff members, were willing to do whatever it took to help UT.
3. UT announced its LEVERAGE program this past week, which is designed to help players maximize their branding opportunities. It will be interesting to see if student-athletes utilize school resources to aid in NIL or elect to use an outside company.
Check out this from SportsBusinessDaily.com this past week:
NEW AGENCY AIMS TO BE THIRD PARTY FOR NIL DEALS
• The name, image and likeness movement has slipped under the radar because of football season, but behind the scenes, ADs are scrambling to keep up with the latest legislation that’s expected to take effect in 2021. Now is the time to be having conversations about managing NIL before it becomes part of college athletics. That’s what Doug Fillis is counting on.
• Fillis has worked on both sides of the desk, as a regional exec at IMG College and as an administrator at Rutgers. He’s putting those experiences together to form Accelerate Sports Ventures, a new agency focused on NIL. Fillis has begun meeting with ADs and senior administrators about how they’ll handle NIL issues. Fillis’ pitch: “We want to be the NIL experts for athletic departments. When questions come up, come to us.”
• Knowing that schools will not be able to act on behalf of athletes for NIL deals, Fillis is positioning Accelerate as a third party that can connect a sponsor with an athlete or an athlete’s agent. “It has to be clear that the school is not involved in any transaction,” Fillis said. Accelerate’s services could range from reviewing disclosure agreements from NIL deals to providing support to compliance offices that will be tracking endorsement deals.
4. Here are two press releases lost in the shuffle this past week, but worth passing on to Longhorn fans:
“ATLANTA – Texas Football head coach Tom Herman was named the Dodd Trophy preseason watch list, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl announced Thursday. It is the third-straight year that Herman has been on the watch list for the award that celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the field, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophy.
“Herman has led the Longhorns to 25 victories through his first three seasons on the Forty Acres, the third-most victories by a head coach in his first three seasons at UT all-time. His tenure at Texas has been highlighted by a 10-win campaign in 2018, as well as a 3-0 record in bowl games, which includes wins over No. 5 Georgia (2018 Sugar) and No. 11 Utah (2019 Alamo). The Longhorns have collected 40 All-Big 12 honors, including 11 players garnering first-team recognition, in Herman’s first three seasons. He also helped coach the 2017 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (LB Malik Jefferson), the 2017 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year (P Michael Dicks), a pair of Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year recipients (Poona Ford, 2017; Charles Omenihu, 2018) and the 2018 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (DB Caden Sterns).
“A midseason watch list for the Dodd Trophy will be released later in the fall. A panel consisting of previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd Family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2020 season. The winner of the 2020 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.”
Here is the second press release:
“AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football senior QB Sam Ehlinger was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award preseason watch list on Tuesday. Ehlinger was a semifinalist for the Tyler Rose Award in 2019.
The award, which is named after 1977 Heisman Trophy winner and Longhorn Legend Earl Campbell, is given annually to the top offensive player in the FBS who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Campbell – integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity. In addition, it is limited to players who were born in the state of Texas, attended a high school in Texas or attended a Texas junior college or university.
The watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award will be narrowed to 16 semifinalists and then up to five finalists later in the 2020 season. Those nominees will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and previous winners. The winner will be announced at the end of the upcoming season.”
5. Sometimes when one door closes, another one opens. Let us hope DeGabriel Floyd finds success outside of football.
6. Speaking of press releases, here is another one for those who might be interested:
A re-calibrated version of Big 12 Football Media Day presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ from Monday, September 7 through Friday, September 11. The five-segment show will be available each night at 7 p.m. CT with two teams highlighted per episode.
ESPN reporters Matt Schick and Dusty Dvoracek will host the “Media Day” season preview show, which will include comments from head coaches in addition to player interviews conducted by Big 12 Digital Correspondent Morgan Uber. Content will also be posted on the Big 12’s official social media platforms.
Academy Sports + Outdoors is in its first year as the presenting sponsor of Big 12 Football Media Day as included in its official partnership with the Conference announced in March 2020.
The Big 12 football season is slated to begin on Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12 with 10 non-conference games.
Big 12 Football Media Day presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors Schedule
Big 12 Now on ESPN+, 7 p.m. CT
Monday, September 7: Baylor and Iowa State
(https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=e3592900-6811-4f2f-bcef-63282735d4ac)
Tuesday, September 8: Kansas and Kansas State
(https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=cdbec8ff-a412-4053-a179-de9767c8aea7)
Wednesday, September 9: Oklahoma and Oklahoma State
(https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=0c40c5fd-acaa-42c0-86b5-be232d2c6f5c)
Thursday, September 10: TCU and Texas
(https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=32aa5c98-123a-4f1d-bc2a-f926a6d4e2ea)
Friday, September 11: Texas Tech and West Virginia
(https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=6e536d35-ca86-44cf-8014-442903942ea6)
7. Props to former Texas defensive end Malcolm Roach for making the Saints squad
8. The best part of Ferrari’s qualifier on Saturday was knowing Carlos Sainz Jr. (No.3 position at the F1 Italian Grand Prix) will be driving for them next year. Unfortunately, for Ferrari fans, they do not have a car in the top-10 of the starting grid for their home race on Sunday for first time since 1984. I need the veterans of F1 to help me understand what are Ferrari's biggest issues this season.
9. RIP John Thompson
10. I cannot be the only person who just wants Conor McGregor to go away. Nobody in their right mind would pay $6 to watch Manny Pacquiao destroy McGregor in one round. Sure, McGregor lasted 10 rounds against Mayweather. However, we know Mayweather carried McGregor to make the lopsided bout watchable. Pacquiao will not agree to an MMA fight, and fight fans do not care about McGregor anymore.
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