PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Sam Ehlinger, a sophomore, has become the unquestioned leader of the Longhorns offense. He went toe to toe with likely Heisman Trophy finalist Will Grier of West Virginia last week acquitted himself very well, going 25-of-36 for 354 yards and three touchdowns while adding 52 yards and another score on the ground. He continues to build on his school-record 246 consecutive passes without throwing an interception, besting Major Applewhite’s previous school record of 156 set in 1999.
–WR Collin Johnson, a junior, had four catches for 47 yards against West Virginia. With every game Johnson is continuing his role as the go-to receiver that the Longhorns have been looking for. Johnson is the huge, intermediate target that Texas needs to help open up the offense because the 6-foot-6 receiver can go over or through most of the defensive backs that are covering him. He now has 50 receptions for 675 yards and five TDs combined in the first nine games. Texas is one of just seven teams in FBS to have two receivers with 50-or-more catches (Lil’Jordan Humphrey, 55; Collin Johnson 50).
–LB Gary Johnson registered just two tackles and a pass breakup in the loss to West Virginia.
–CB Kris Boyd had six tackles and three pass breakups in the loss to West Virginia. He has 36 stops, a sack, 1.5 tackles for a loss, an interception, and 13 pass breakups for the season.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads Texas Tech 50-17. Saturday’s matchup will be the 31st meeting in Lubbock, with Texas having a 20-10 advantage. The Longhorns have won seven of the past nine in the series and 12 of the last 15 overall. Since the start of the Big 12 Conference, the Longhorns are 16-6 against the Red Raiders.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “There’s been a lot of bright eyes, chins up, all that good stuff walking around the facility today. That’s a good sign. I think our guys are ready to go back to work. We know that there is no rest for the weary in this conference. We don’t have time to pout, to wallow in self-pity about losing a ballgame. We’re moving on. We’re 0-0 this week against Texas Tech.” — Texas coach Tom Herman
