Tom Herman met with the media on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the conference opener against Texas Tech. The head coach provided injury updates, how Texas will line up from a personnel standpoint, and how the Longhorns are dealing with COVID-19 and traveling for the first time this season.
Who starts at running back?
Going into the season, Keaontay Ingram and Roschon Johnson were seen as running back 1A and 1B with true freshman Bijan Robinson closely behind. In the season opener against UTEP, Johnson got the official start instead of Ingram.
However, Ingram was the team’s leading rusher, having nine touches for 44 yards. Johnson ended with eight carries for 38 yards and a touchdown.
When head coach Tom Herman was asked about the decision, he said there is nothing to read into. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich still wants to make sure all three running backs get an equal amount of carries.
When asked about Roschon Johnson starting over Keaontay Ingram, Texas football coach Tom Herman said Ingram missed a few practices, but downplayed Johnson starting. Herman said his goal is for the RBs to have an equal distribution
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) September 21, 2020
Going into Texas Tech, all three backs are going to be healthy and ready to go. Robinson will be getting his first Big 12 conference play action, while Johnson will be remembering his three-touchdown day against the Red Raiders last season. Ingram will be hoping to remain Texas’ leading rusher.
The beauty of having three capable running backs is the ability to keep everyone fresh when needed. Watching how often Ingram, Johnson, and Robinson are used down the stretch will show who Herman has the most faith in.
Slot receiver injuries
A one-two punch of Jake Smith and Jordan Whittington in the slot was supposed to be the most exciting dynamic of the wide receiver group. Now, both are dealing with injuries and could be out for multiple weeks.
For the redshirt freshman Whittington, he had surgery on a torn lateral meniscus suffered against UTEP. He had surgery this week and it “went well”. Whittington will be out three to four weeks, coming back as late as the Oct. 31 matchup against Oklahoma State.
Smith did not play against the Miners, dealing with a hamstring injury in practice. Herman said the sophomore is still rehabbing and is going to be in practice on Wednesday. His availability for Texas Tech is still unknown but he is listed as the starter on the depth chart.
.@CoachTomHerman says Jordan Whittington's surgery went well and that they're looking at "about 3-4 weeks there."
Jake Smith is "continuing to rehab. We're going to try to get him running on the ground tomorrow or Wednesday."
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) September 21, 2020
Use of 12 personnel
With Smith and Whittington dealing with injuries, Herman acknowledges it will change up the offensive gameplan. If healthy, Sam Ehlinger would love have to have three wide receivers on the field at once but that may not be the case against Texas Tech.
12 personnel, one running back and two tight ends, will be used a lot more on Saturday. All four tight ends in Cade Brewer, Jared Wiley, Malcolm Epps, and Brayden Liebrock got snaps against UTEP and will be doing the same in Lubbock.
Brewer is seen as the biggest threat in the pass game and the starter. The senior caught a wide-open 20-yard touchdown in the season opener. He also added two more catches for a total of 40 yards.
Herman on TE: "I do think, especially with J-Whitt out and Jake on the mend, you'll see more and more 12 personnel. Our guys are versatile enough to do it."
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) September 21, 2020
Epps would prove to be an interesting option as a former wide receiver. He spent the 2019 season as an outside receiver but moved to tight end thanks to his 6-6 244 pounds frame. He could provide a downfield threat if called upon by Ehlinger.
COVID-19 protocols on the road
Texas will be dealing with its first road game of the season on Saturday. With that comes rules and regulations surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The Longhorns have been one of the few teams in the country to not have any complications with the virus.
Herman talked about steps the team will make the ensure all the players remain healthy and are able to play against Texas Tech.
First, Texas will have to strategically place people on the airplane to Lubbock. According to Herman, if someone tests positive for COVID-19 after the flight, everyone within two rows, in front of and behind, will not be able to play against the Red Raiders.
Herman said the Horns will strategically seat the airplane to Lubbock. With contact tracing, if someone tests positive, “the two rows ahead of him and the two rows behind him are going to get wiped out.”
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) September 21, 2020
Next, nobody will have a roommate the night before the game. Every player will be by themselves to make sure people are as distanced as possible. This is nothing new for Texas players and staff, as the same occurred at home on Sept. 11.
Texas football coach Tom Herman players will not have roommates on the road at Lubbock (same applies at home). He also said they will strategically sit players on the plane.
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) September 21, 2020
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