Texas overcomes Ehlinger harm, routs Colorado 55-23


SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Texas has been examined all yr, however shedding senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger to a shoulder harm was an impediment the Longhorns by no means anticipated.

The identical spirit that pushed the workforce by this complete chaotic season helped the Longhorns thrive with out him.

Sophomore signal-caller Casey Thompson got here off the bench and handed for 170 yards and 4 touchdowns, and No. 20 Texas overcame Ehlinger’s harm to beat Colorado 55-23 within the Valero Alamo Bowl on Tuesday night time.

Freshman operating again Bijan Robinson had 183 yards on 10 carries with a TD for Texas (7-3). He was chosen the bowl’s offensive MVP.

”We had a whole lot of younger guys that stepped up on this recreation,” Robinson stated.

The Longhorns are undefeated in 4 bowl video games beneath Tom Herman, unbeaten as a head coach in 5 bowls total.

”That is the end result of a whole lot of arduous work by some actually devoted younger males that 10 months in the past decided that they had been going to go to work daily and do no matter it took to get by this season collectively,” Herman stated. ”And so they did. We had our ups and downs, however they by no means wavered. They by no means gave up hope. They by no means gave up confidence. They stored enjoying for one another. I could not be prouder of my workforce.”

Extra adversity developed towards the Buffaloes (4-2).

Ehlinger missed the second half after sustaining a shoulder harm within the second quarter. Herman stated he was unsure when the harm occurred, however Ehlinger returned to the sphere within the third quarter in warmups, together with his proper arm in a sling. There was no quick phrase on the extent of his harm.

”I hated that he could not end the sport, however we would not be right here with out him,” Herman stated. ”He was the chief behind this senior class. I do not know what the longer term holds for him, however I do know that I am grateful for him being on our workforce, being on my workforce every day. What he means to us is indescribable.”

The NCAA is providing athletes an additional yr of eligibility given the weird circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s unknown if Ehlinger will return.

He performed your complete first half Tuesday, finishing 10 of 16 passes for 160 yards and a rating.

Colorado was enjoying its sixth recreation of the season as a result of coronavirus. The Pac-12 initially canceled its season solely to reverse the choice and delay the beginning till Nov. 7.

The Buffaloes had two video games canceled because of virus points, however competed within the Alamo Bowl regardless of failing to succeed in the standard six-win threshold required for the postseason.

The Longhorns appeared extra polished all through, placing shortly to open each halves.

Fueled by a 39-yard cross from Ehlinger to Joshua Moore, Texas drove 74 yards on 4 performs in 50 seconds on its opening possession. Robinson dove in for an 8-yard TD run with 12:51 left within the opening quarter.

Robinson scored once more two possessions later, catching a 14-yard cross from Ehlinger with 5:28 remaining within the first.

The Longhorns did not take a step again with out Ehlinger.

Thompson began the second half instead of Ehlinger and led Texas to a landing on its opening possession. Thompson accomplished a 13-yard scoring cross to Moore simply 37 seconds into the third for a 24-10 benefit.

Thompson added a 25-yard landing cross to Moore, a 23-yarder to Robinson and a 73-yarder to Kelvontay Dixon. The backup was 8 of 10 on the night time.

”I am actually happy with the younger guys,” Herman stated. ”I am actually, actually excited concerning the future. What these final two video games enjoying so many younger guys has proven is the trajectory of our program and what we’re able to with these younger guys.”

Cameron Dicker set an Alamo Bowl file with a 53-yard subject aim late within the first half that prolonged the Longhorns’ result in 17-7.

Colorado’s solely sustained drive of the primary quarter led to an interception when Sam Noyer threw into a gaggle of 4 defenders. Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown made his second interception of the season, choosing off Noyer on the Buffaloes 11-yard line. Overshown had six tackles, one interception and one fumble restoration

Jarek Broussard rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries for Colorado.

TAKEAWAY

Colorado: Regardless of the lopsided loss, coach Karl Dorrell’s tenure with the Buffaloes is off to a very good begin. Colorado went 3-1 within the Pac-12 beneath Dorrell, who signed a five-year contract within the offseason.

Texas: The Longhorns discovered a succesful substitute for Ehlinger in Thompson. The 6-foot-1 sophomore displayed his elusiveness, escaping a heavy rush early within the third quarter for a 22-yard run. He additionally demonstrated his arm energy by throwing over the protection for a 73-yard landing to Dixon within the fourth.

Extra AP school soccer: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25





supply

Leave a Reply