When Steve Sarkisian confirmed Hudson Card was going to be the starter against Louisiana, he immediately followed it up by saying Casey Thompson was going to get some playing time as well. The head coach mentioned both quarterbacks had “earned” their roles throughout fall camp.
Card impressed through the first two and a half quarters. His final stat line finished at 14 of 21, 224 passing yards, three total touchdowns (two passing). You could not have asked for a better debut from the redshirt freshman.
Then, Thompson was inserted, playing out the rest of the game. He finished with 80 passing yards on 4 of 5 passing. A swing screen out to Jordan Whittington in the red zone resulted in a touchdown as well.
In the end, it worked out for the Longhorns but ending Card’s night early was a mistake from Steve Sarkisian. A first-year starter does not need to be sitting on the sidelines after winning a competitive battle in practice.
Before Thompson was inserted into the game, here is how the previous three drives ended with Card running the show: Touchdown, touchdown, and touchdown.
The latter of the two was to begin the second half where the tempo was beginning to pick up. Texas scored both in just over three minutes compared to the first half where the scoring drives were 5:51 and 7:45. Card was just getting into the flow of Sarkisian’s high tempo and producing positive results.
Louisiana was still technically in striking distance as well. Texas was only up by two scores at the time of Thompson’s entrance. At home. Against a ranked opponent. The experience for Card would have been valuable heading into Arkansas and Big 12 play.
Thankfully, Thompson is the best backup in the conference and was able to march 83 yards down the field for a score. His second drive was after an onside kick and resulted in a field goal.
In no way, shape, or form is this an attack on Thompson and his ability. The competition was close throughout spring and fall camp for a reason. He could have been the one leading the troops out on Saturday.
But getting Thompson reps just to get him reps, after three consecutive touchdown drives from Card, does not follow the “All gas, no brakes” mentality Sarkisian has been trying to preach.
Let Card play a full four quarters and put Louisiana to bed himself. Keep calling the same offense and continue to hit the gas pedal. Get into the realm of 40 points and build even more confidence in the young starter.
Since the connection with Alabama is relevant via Sarkisian, here is one way to put it. Back in 2018 when Tua Tagovailoa beat out Jalen Hurts to be the starter, do you think Nick Saban would have switched guys just for the sake of it only up two possessions? The answer is no. Hurts’ role all season was being the backup and when the game was out of reach, he was able to get his snaps and throw the ball.
Thompson needs to be put in a similar role for the season but not because he is a bad quarterback. If Sarkisian is going to declare Card as the guy, make him the guy for the entirety of the game.
If the all too famous transfer portal is a fear of Sarkisian, then fair. But at some point down the road, Card’s experience and comfort level in the offense is going to be the difference between wins and losses.