Mike Yurcich should dial up a few wide receiver screens
Stephen F. Austin exposed UTEP’s defense early in the game, calling a few screen plays that turned out to be incredibly effective. On the Lumberjacks’ opening drive, two outside wide receiver screens resulted in 50 yards and a touchdown. A later first-quarter screen on third and 10 inside the red zone set up a first and goal from the 1-yard line.
If an FCS team like Stephen F. Austin can attack UTEP the way they did with screens, Texas should be licking their chops.
Offensive coordinator Mike Yurchich can take explosive inside receivers such as Jake Smith or Jordan Whittington, get them in one-on-one situations, and watch them fly into the endzone. You can line those two up outside and set up blockers inside with offensive lineman or run a bubble and let Texas’ bigger receivers win their blocks outside.
Getting the ball out of the hands of Sam Ehliger quickly could provide big-time plays throughout the game. Letting the Longhorns’ skill position players do all the work will not only be key against UTEP but the entire season.