Tag: Jake Smith

Texas vs Texas Tech: Wide Receiver Tale of the Tape

A look at the tale of the tape for the wide receivers. Who has the better group between Texas and Texas Tech?

The Texas and Texas Tech game on Saturday is sure to feature some teams that will throw the ball around the yard. Texas Tech has been known for the ‘Air Raid’ offense for the better part of the last two decades dating back to Mike Leach. The Longhorns are known more for running the football over the years but with Mike Yurcich calling the shots, we could see a lot more passing than we have come accustomed to over the years. Against UTEP, the Longhorns accounted for 481 yards passing.

In this version of the “Tale of the Tape”, the focus is on the pass catchers and more importantly the wide receivers. Joshua Moore and KeSean Carter led their teams in receiver in their opening wins to kick off the 2020 college football season. Which one could have the last laugh on Saturday afternoon?

Leading receivers for each team on Saturday, Sept. 12

Joshua Moore vs KeSean Carter
6-1 Ht 5-11
170 Wt 190
Rs-So Year Jr
8 Targets 7
6 Rec 6
75 Catch % 85.7
127 Yards 86
92 YAC 52
1 TDs 1
81.3 PFF Grade 87.7

These two teams will throw the ball to more than just one receiver, so it isn’t just about Moore vs Carter. For the Longhorns they hope to have Jake Smith ready to go on Saturday along with Tarik Black, Brennan Eagles and the new sensation Kai Money.

For Texas Tech it starts with T.J. Vasher on the outside along with Erik Ezukanma, Dalton Rigdon and Ja’Lynn Polk. Their group combined for 247 yards receiving, without adding in Carter’s numbers. If the Longhorns don’t get the run game going in this one, we could see a lot of yards racked up through the air.

Notable receivers career numbers

Tarik Black Brennan Eagles vs TJ Vasher Erik Ezukanma
6-3 6-4 Ht 6-6 6-3
217 229 Wt 215 220
Sr Jr Yr Sr Rs-So
45 34 Rec 135 48
587 592 Yards 1,835 778
3 7 TDs 19 6

 

Locked on Longhorns Podcast: ‘Depth Chart, Jake Smith’

The Locked on Longhorns Podcast discusses the depth chart that was released on Monday. Should the team rush Jake Smith back?

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With three days remaining before the Texas Tech game we look at the depth chart that was released on Monday. Who stood out on the offensive side of the ball? Will the Longhorns use more of the 12 personnel packages against the Red Raiders? Plus we dive into the Jake Smith situation, should the they hold him out for this game to allow more time to recover?

With the Wake Forest-Notre Dame game being postponed, do we expect any Big 12 games being postponed this week? The Baylor Bears have already had to cancel two games and TCU cancelled once, how many more could we see? Plus a look at the upcoming slate of games and which teams fans should be keeping an eye on this year. Who could challenge the teams near the top of the conference?

In the final segment Patrick and Cami take a look at the plans as the team prepares to travel to Lubbock. Is Sam Ehlinger getting his own plane? How will the team operate when they arrive in Lubbock for the game? How many tortillas will we see when they kickoff the game?

Texas Football: Breaking down the depth chart

The Texas Longhorns have released their depth chart ahead of the Texas Tech game. Longhorns Wire takes a look at each group.

The Texas Longhorns released their depth chart for the game against Texas Tech. The team is hoping to have Jake Smith back for this matchup as he recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered in practice ahead of the UTEP game.

The Quarterbacks

Sam Ehlinger Sr Casey Thompson So Hudson Card Fr Ja’Quinden Jackson Fr

No real surprises here, Jackson makes his first appearance on the depth chart at QB4. He won’t see any action without injury and a major blowout against Texas Tech on Saturday. Sam Ehlinger looks to improve upon his career stats against the Red Raiders. In his last two wins over Tech, Ehlinger has thrown six touchdowns to no interceptions.

The Running Backs

Keaontay Ingram Jr Roschon Johnson So Bijan Robinson Fr

Once again the team lists Keaontay Ingram at the top of the list. With the running backs it doesn’t mean much give the fact that Roschon started the last game despite being second on the list. Tom Herman has stated that all of the backs will get equal share of the carries. Look for Texas to run the ball more against the Red Raiders than they did with UTEP.

The Wide Receivers

X WR Tarik Black Sr Brennan Eagles Jr
H WR Jake Smith So Kai Money So <or> Brenden Schooler Sr
Z WR Joshua Moore Rs-So Al’Vonte Woodard So

No changes at the two outside wide receiver position. However, Kai Money and Brenden Schooler were added to the H receiver depth chart. With the injury to Jordan Whittington and the questions about Smith, they needed depth. Both Schooler and Money scored touchdowns in their first action of the season.

Next we look at the tight ends and offensive line.

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Texas walk-on WR Kai Money listed on depth chart, expected to play

Sophomore walk-on wide receiver Kai Money is expected serve as Jake Smith’s backup in the slot against Texas Tech.

Texas walk-on wide receiver Kai Money may not be a one-hit wonder after all. Continue reading “Texas walk-on WR Kai Money listed on depth chart, expected to play”

Texas Football: Tom Herman provides injury updates ahead of Texas Tech

Texas head coach Tom Herman spoke with the media on Monday and provided injury updates on Jake Smith and Jordan Whittington.

Texas head coach Tom Herman spoke with the media on Monday and provided injury updates for wide receivers Jake Smith and Jordan Whittington. Continue reading “Texas Football: Tom Herman provides injury updates ahead of Texas Tech”

Texas Longhorns Football: Three offensive keys against UTEP

Yes, Texas is favored by 42 points but the Longhorns must execute in certain areas. Here are three offensive keys to the game against UTEP:

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Texas football is finally back with a home game against UTEP on Saturday. It has been a long and difficult break since the Longhorns’ last game on Dec. 31. Even if it is not in a normal circumstance, it feels good to have a football game to discuss.

One of the reasons football season needed to be played is so the Longhorns could unleash their new-look offense under offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. Coming over from Ohio State, Yurcich is going to help quarterback Sam Ehlinger hit a brand new level. His air raid attack will be more pass-heavy than Tim Beck’s offense the past three seasons.

It will all begin on Saturday against the Miners, with fresh offensive faces taking the field. From transfer wide receiver Tarik Black to true freshman running back Bijan Robinson. Some of the weapons Texas has acquired this offseason will be fully unleashed.

Yes, Texas is favored by 42 points but the Longhorns must execute in certain areas to make sure things so smoothly. Here are three offensive keys to the game against UTEP:

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Texas Football vs UTEP: Areas of concern for the upcoming game

With the Texas Longhorns set to kick off the season on Saturday, Longhorns Wire takes a look at areas of concern for the opener.

Image courtesy of Texas Sports

The start of the Texas Longhorns football season is finally upon us. A little over 24 hours away from the UTEP Miners and Texas Longhorns kicking off at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Recently the Texas Longhorns named their team captains for the season, really no shocking selections. It just means that we are that much closer to 18,000 fans piling into DKR. Hopefully this is a Big 12 Championship contending season for the burnt orange faithful.

This game is not expected to be one that is even relatively close. The UTEP Miners are coming off a 1-11 season in 2019. They struggled to defeat a FCS foe in Stephen F. Austin, in which they fell behind early 14-3. While they were able to rally from behind, if the Miners and quarterback Gavin Hardison find themselves down early it could be over before the first quarter ends. Texas is clearly the more talented team, it is just a matter of if the Longhorns buy into their own hype and overlook UTEP.

Even being heavy favorites according to BetMGM, there are still areas for concern in the upcoming game. This is the first live action for many of these Longhorns. The incoming freshman class such as Bijan Robinson and Alfred Collins getting their opportunity to prove their value and why they were 247Sports Composite five-star recruits.

We start with Longhorns Wire’s areas of concern with the health of the team.

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Locked on Longhorns Podcast: ‘Jake Smith update, UTEP preview’

Locked on Longhorns giving you updates on the Jake Smith injury, UTEP chat with Adrian Broaddus and football on Thursday Night.

The latest Locked on Longhorns podcast opens up discussing the Jake Smith injury that occurred on Tuesday What does this mean for the depth chart? With Jordan Whittington now healthy ahead of the opener, how much will we see of the talented redshirt freshman talent? A player with his injury history is a concern.

Head coach Tom Herman  updated the injury news on Thursday morning with an appearance on The Horn in Austin. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich stated the team would be going with a wide receiver by committee. With the injury to Smith, could we see more tight ends in the game?

Chris Ash spoke with the media bout his Rugby style of tackling. How they might improve their defense in 2020 with his coaching. Ash also had quite the compliment for quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

Adrian Broaddus of ESPN El Paso helps break down the UTEP Miners football team. What were some of his takeaways from the victory over Stephen F. Austin? Can the Miners challenge the 42.5 point spread in this game and what is his final prediction.

What do we expect to see on Saturday night? Could the Longhorns cover the spread? Takeaways from the Broaddus interview plus can UTEP find a way to do enough to keep it interesting. What football game are we looking for ward to on Thursday night? Plus what the host of Locked on LSU said about Tom Herman and the Texas Longhorns.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

We have a forum and message board now. Get in on the conversation about Texas Longhorns athletics by joining the Longhorns Wire Forum.

Texas head coach Tom Herman provides injury update on WR Jake Smith

Texas wide receiver Jake Smith will not be playing in the season opener against UTEP.

Texas wide receiver Jake Smith will unfortunately not be available for the season opener against UTEP on Sept. 12. Continue reading “Texas head coach Tom Herman provides injury update on WR Jake Smith”

Report: Texas WR Jake Smith suffers injury prior to Saturday’s opener

Report from Horns247 states that Jake Smith has suffered an injury ahead of the Texas Longhorns season opener. Jordan Whittington is next up

The hits just keep on coming to the wide receiver group. According to a report from Horns247, sophomore wide receiver Jake Smith has suffered a hamstring injury. The severity of the injury is not yet known but now his availability for Saturday is in question.

The Longhorns recently released their two-deep depth chart in which Smith was listed as the starter in the slot. His backup Jordan Whittington, who has had his own injury woes, is listed as his primary backup. According to the report from 247Sports, Smith suffered the injury during one on one drills. It was speculated that it was his hamstring.

Given the importance of Smith to the offense, they will likely hold him out for precautionary reasons. The Longhorns are heavy favorites in the upcoming game according to BetMGM’s odds. Whittington missed all of last season with a sports hernia, is finally looking healthy again. DaJon Harrison was another receiver who could have seen playing time behind Whitt, but he opted out of the 2020 college football season.

The Longhorns and Miners will kickoff the game at 7 pm CST at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. You can watch the game on the Longhorns Network. This game should give fans an early look at the younger players by the time this game ends.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

We have a forum and message board now. Get in on the conversation about Texas Longhorns athletics by joining the Longhorns Wire Forum.