Ehlinger’s return riles fans
Let’s start this week’s Whys of Texas mailbag with something Tom Herman addressed Monday. Fans flooded social media and my inbox with questions about Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger.
The overall tone of the queries were similar: Why would Herman put an injured player back into the game? Apparently, several fans were irate that Herman would expose Ehlinger to more injury after he was taken down hard by OU’s Kenneth Murray in the fourth quarter.
Trainers told Ehlinger to lie still on the sideline for a few moments, and then he was escorted inside UT’s medical tent for further evaluation. Backup Shane Buechele came into the game, ran twice, threw two passes and got sacked. Ehlinger then returned.
“Was I surprised? I mean, no,” Herman said. “When it comes to injuries, we do what the doctor tells us to, and when he says he’s fine, he’s fine. And then, yeah, we followed up. He was cleared for practice (Sunday). He practiced, and he feels great.”
How can I say this is the strongest way possible? I do not believe the Texas training staff would put an injured player back on the field. No way. Most of the anti-Herman emails on this topic have focused on the fact that Ehlinger threw the ball out of bounds on fourth down. He clearly wasn’t right in the head, all the armchair doctors are telling me.
I would say this point is debatable. Ehlinger rolled to his right after getting flushed out on fourthand-13. He was pushed to the UT sideline and simply threw the ball into the bench area. Ehlinger should have just launched it toward the end zone just to see what would happen. That was probably just a freshman mistake.
It’s simply my belief that Texas would have never let him back on the field if he was truly dazed or had suffered any legitimate head injury. That’s not how the Texas medical staff operates.
On to this week’s mailbag, with questions culled from Facebook, Twitter and email ...
Yes, the offensive line has problems, and Warren may be a great third-down back with his ability to catch and block. That said, our current backfield lacks mobility and speed. We MUST try to work in the freshmen. — Stuart
This team’s inability to run the ball has to be considered one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Warren simply can’t get going. Kyle Porter can’t make anyone miss. Part of that stems from this odd rotation that running backs coach Stan Drayton insists on. One player will get a few carries and then come off the field. The next player will get a few carries and then come off. Nobody gets into any rhythm.
Question: why do we keep getting beat deep? Looks like missed assignments. — Terry
Before the season started, Herman was adamant that Kris Boyd was the team’s best defensive back. Maybe he was then. Opponents are certainly going after him now. Frankly I was a little surprised Boyd didn’t have better closing speed to at least knock the ball away from Jeff Badet on that 54-yard touchdown catch. I truly thought Boyd would get a few fingers on it and knock it down. The 59-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews late was a clear breakdown in coverage throughout the secondary. He was so open, it was difficult to determine who was at fault.
Cornerbacks play on an island. Get beat one play, you still gotta get ready for the next one. The Horns are playing the best athletes they have defensively. It’s defensive coordinator Todd Orlando’s job to coach ’em up.
As one of the beat reporters for the UT football program, I would urge you to keep an eye on the potential landing spots for Shane Buechele if he finishes this season as the #2 QB and decides to transfer. — Tom
At this point, I think it’s wrong to just assume that Buechele will transfer. I mean, he might, if Ehlinger finishes the year as the clear-cut starter. But I firmly believe Texas will need both quarterbacks in the final six games. That’s why Herman must be delicate in how he handles the quarterbacks. He can’t write off Buechele; Herman needs him. If I’m Buechele, I continue to work every day to get better. He may become the starter again if something happens to Ehlinger. Or, let’s say he does transfer, who’s going to want someone who mailed in the second half of his sophomore season?
Hola from Madrid. So I was able to watch the Red River Rivalry on computer. All flaws have been exposed by you and your colleagues. So what happens last half of season? 3-3 for 6-6 season? — Ron
Well, getting to a bowl game is an absolute must. So that means Texas must finish at least 6-6. Is that possible? Sure. Anything from 5-7 to 9-3 is still possible at this point, which is frustrating for Texas fans, I’m sure. This roller-coaster ride is far, far, far from over.