The BYU Cougars (5-2, 2-2) will face a backup quarterback for the third consecutive week. After the AC joint injury to Longhorns signal-caller Quinn Ewers, Texas will go with backup Maalik Murphy. He was part of the same recruiting class that landed Ewers as a transfer from Ohio State.
Two weeks ago the BYU defense would face Josh Hoover who got the nod for the injured Chandler Morris. Hoover threw the ball all over the field to the tune of 439 yards and 4 touchdowns. The TCU Horned Frogs easily won that game 44-11 after jumping out to a 31-8 halftime lead.
Things went a little differently the following week against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders lost starter Tyler Shough to a broken fibula sustained against West Virginia in Week 4. That same game backup quarterback Behren Morton suffered an AC joint injury that he had been playing through. Morton didn’t return to the field in the second half of the Kansas State game before also being sidelined against BYU in Provo, Utah.
True freshman quarterback Jake Strong would get his first collegiate start against BYU. Much like the second half of the Kansas State game, he would throw three interceptions in a losing effort.
This week it is about facing Murphy. There was some speculation that prized 2023 recruit Arch Manning might see some playing time after he worked with the second team leading up to the Houston game, but it is Murphy who will get the nod. Murphy has only thrown eight passes in his career, all this season. Either way, the quarterbacks behind Ewers are inexperienced.
Will BYU upset their former quarterback Steve Sarkisian this week, or will the Longhorns keep the wins coming in despite who is under center?
BYU vs. Texas is set for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff and the game can be seen on ABC.
For more on Texas check out Longhorns Wire, part of the College Wire Network.
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