Road, USC make Horns underdogs
Jefferson: UT must fix ‘lack of focus’ away from home.
Junior linebacker Malik Jefferson stays off social media, so he’s missed a lot of the internet-based chatter about the Longhorns’ 1-1 start. But not all of it. “Of course, people still talk and I hear things,” Jefferson said Tuesday night.
What is he hearing about the game Saturday at fourthranked USC, the Horns’ first road game of the season?
“That we aren’t good enough. That they’re going to kill us,” he said. “They know that it’s going to be a very competitive game, and we know it as well.”
Multiple Longhorns acknowledged Tuesday that being a two-touchdown underdog isn’t ideal. Texas (1-1) shouldn’t worry about what oddsmakers say, though. The Longhorns need to focus on improving a dismal record away from Royal-Memorial Stadium.
Texas was 2-8 in true road games the past two seasons under former coach Charlie Strong. Those were mostly blowouts. In 10 road games, the Horns allowed an average of 35.1 points and scored an average of 21.4. That includes the embarrassing 38-3 loss at No. 11 Notre Dame and a 50-7 final at No. 4 TCU in 2015.
“I guess a lack of focus and not being together in that bunker that coach talks about,” Jefferson said. “It’s going to be very focused in that defensive room every day knowing that we have to be out there setting that tone in the game.”
Buechele practices: Quarterback Shane Buechele had limited throwing work but otherwise went through the entire practice on Tuesday, according to a team spokesman.
“He looked pretty good to me,” running back Chris Warren III said.
Other players demurred when asked about Buechele and his status against the Trojans. Coach Tom Herman has indicated he wants the sophomore to play if possible. Offensive coordinator Tim Beck was scheduled to meet with reporters after practice Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Texas defense spent Tuesday working on coverage drills to prepare for USC quarterback Sam Darnold.
Nickel back P.J. Locke III said Darnold has the potential to keep plays going and can find an open receiver from either hash mark.
“Basically, he’s a great quarterback all around,” Locke said. “He’s obviously an NFL quarterback, and he’s only a sophomore. I can imagine going through the season how much better he’s going to get. I’m glad we’re catching him now.”