As the Texas Longhorns prepare for their matchup with the Utah Utes, we highlighted the big key on defense for the Longhorns to win. For the offense it all falls on the shoulders of quarterback Sam Ehlinger. He has been on this stage before, backs against the wall needing a big performance in a bowl game as the underdog.
Sugar Bowl MVP, Ehlinger rose to new heights and gave this team confidence that they were on the right road heading into the offseason. Even though this season hasn’t been the year that many were hoping for, it is important for the team to end the year on a high note. With the wide receiver availability for this game, Ehlinger needs to big game.
Statistically Ehlinger is coming off a slightly better season than he had in 2018 but two of their losses this year, Sam wasn’t at his best. Against the Horn Frogs he completed just 45.8% of his passes with four interceptions. That kind of performance against the Utes would put a damper on their thoughts of an upset. Those kinds of efforts for Ehlinger have been few and far between.
What Ehlinger has done is show poise and moxie on the bigger stages. Against the LSU Tigers, he went punch for punch with the Joe Burrow and if it hadn’t been for getting down early, that 45-38 loss might’ve swung the other way with how Ehlinger kept his team in the game. Down 20-7 at halftime and they came back strong in the second half. The Longhorns offense grinded out a couple 10-play drives including a 19 play methodical drive to start the second half.
It won’t be Sam the passer that will be the only cause for concern for Utah. Sam the rusher will also be a key with injury to Keaontay Ingram. Ehlinger has shown the ability to kill defenses when he escapes the pocket or on designed runs. The dual-threat is what will be the biggest reason why Texas could pull of this win to give head coach Tom Herman his third-straight bowl win at Texas.