Alamodome could showcase Robinson’s many talents
AUSTIN — One day, hopefully as soon as next fall, a packed college football stadium will rumble and sway to the moves of Bijan Robinson.
Playing inside reduced-capacity arenas suffused with artificial noise has robbed Robinson — and everyone else — of that atmosphere in 2020, a shame considering howthe joint would’ve exploded during, say, a thunderous game-opening 54-yard run against West Virginia. That relatively muted ambiance will carry over next Tuesday during when the true freshman running back goes to work at the Alamodome in front of, at most, 11,000 fans.
Still, Robinson’s likely to send jolts coursing through those who manage to get inside the stadium. Asked what teammates he’s most eager to see work in next week’s Alamo Bowl matchup with Colorado (4-1, 3-1 Pac-12), senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger mentioned only one Longhorn by name.
“I’m excited to see Bijan play again,” Ehlinger said Wednesday. “I’m always excited to see him play. There’s a lot of guys, it’ll be interesting to see who really steps up, but I’m always excited to watch
Bijan.”
Eight games into his career, Robinson is already an event.
Last time out he rumbled for 172 yards on just nine carries, finding the end zone on a third of those totes. Oh, and Robinson added 51 yards on three receptions in the 69-31 win over Kansas State.
That performance was a month removed from his breakout game against West Virginia. Robinson accumulated 113 yards on 12 carries, including the aforementioned 54-yarder, and averaged 10.8 yards per touch in a 17-13 win over the Mountaineers.
Robinson’s most impressive run that afternoon wasn’t the one spanning half the field. It was his second carry, an 18-yard scurry equal parts balletic and brutal, that demonstrated how much the first-year Longhorn has grown.
The 6-foot, 222-pound tailback shifted gears multiple times on the counter design, twisting around
one edge defender with a hypnotic spin before capering outside to stiff-arm two Mountaineers into the ground. Somehow, Robinson stayed upright the whole time — a sliver of sideline prevented what would’ve been an 82-yard touchdown.
“It’s just like for every level, you got to get use the speed of the game,” Robinson said Wednesday. “I feel like as running back I’ve been anxious to just go and not really think about it, just kind of go off of my God-given ability, but it’s more than that. But it’s a blessing to see what it’s come to and how comfortable in the backfield (I am). Not anxious or nervous at all.”
Robinson has shrugged off the freshman jitters just as effectively as he shakes off befuddled defenders. He recently earned honorable mention as Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year after
catching fire over No. 20 Texas’ past five games, averaging 7.9 yards per touch and 110.6 total yards per game (90.6 rushing).
Even the loss of senior center and Reagan High
product Derek Kerstetter (ankle) and first-team AllBig 12 left tackle Sam Cosmi (NFL Draft), shouldn’t slow Robinson much. Most of his damage against Kansas State came with true freshman center Jake Majors and left tackle Andrej Karic in the game, the same configuration No. 20 Texas (6-3, 5-3 Big 12) will use against Colorado.
“Those are some beasts,” Robinson said of the two freshmen linemen.
That young trio will play a vital role in the Longhorns’ next chapter.
Five captains and junior wideout Brennen Eagles opted out of the Alamo Bowl and declared for the NFL draft. Junior tailback Keaontay Ingram (ankle) shut it down because of an injury and is considering a transfer. Ehlinger is weigh
ing whether to return for a fifth year in 2021. And Herman’s hold on the job remains tenuous despite what athletic director Chris Del Conte’s statement said.
Robinson is the type of generational talent that could act as a salve for this program’s blemishes. If Texas does transition to a new quarterback next season — redshirt sophomore Casey Thompson and true freshman Hudson Card would duel to replace Ehlinger — the backfield will take on even greater importance.
“Bijan Robinson fits our culture, our way of doing things, to a T,” Herman said last Sunday. “He has really, really blossomed as the season has gone on, and has really helped energize not only the offense, but certainly the running game portion of that offense.”
Robinson is still best appreciated in person. Television just doesn’t do justice to howhe crumples defenders and dodges tackles and accelerates to corral a pass from Ehlinger.
For now, with COVID-19 cases still accelerating, Robinson still remains bestviewed from the couch. Just consider the Alamo Bowl a tantalizing appetizer for the stadium-shaking performances to come.
“I feel like this has just been a build-up year for something great,” Robinson said. “This game will set the demeanor for next season because this is leading what I feel can be very special with this team, this whole program.”