Game 7 Snapshot: Texas returns home to face No. 10 Oklahoma State

By Steve Habel/Senior Editor

AUSTIN, Texas — Here are a few of the things to watch for as the Longhorns (3-3 overall, 2-1 in Big 12 play) return home to square off against No. 10 Oklahoma State (5-1, 2-1 in Big 12) at 11 a.m. at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

NOTES, QUOTES, PLAYERS TO WATCH

• True freshman San Ehlinger has become the heart and unquestioned offensive leader of this team. Expect Ehlinger to remain as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. He had 278 yards passing with a touchdown and a gutsy 106 yards on the ground on 22 bone-crunching carries Oct. 14 against Oklahoma and continues to show his moxie and swagger. Ehlinger will not back down from the challenge or wilt in in the spotlight, as evidenced in his play this year.

• Junior punter Michael Dickson is a [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]weapon who was named the Ray Guy Award national punter of the week Monday after his career-best performance against Oklahoma. Dickson averaged a school record-tying 55.0 yards per punt on five attempts at the Cotton Bowl, including a season-long kick of 69 yards and a 62-yard punt that was downed at the OU 2. He is averaging 48.3 yards per punt, which is best in the Big 12 and second-best nationally, and his net average of 44.81 yards per punt is the best mark in the country.

• Linebacker Malik Jefferson is continuing his impressive junior campaign, leading the team in tackles (54), solo tackles (37), quarterback hurries (4) and in tackles for a loss (6).

SERIES HISTORY: Texas and Oklahoma State will meet for the 32nd time this Saturday, with the Longhorns holding a 24-7 edge in the all-time series. Texas is 14-5 against OSU at home, but has lost four straight to the Cowboys in Austin. The Longhorns’ last win at home in the series was a 28-24 victory in 2008. Oklahoma State’s victory last season in Stillwater snapped a seven-game winning streak by the road team in the series.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “Sam is like a wild horse right now that you’re trying to tame him a little bit. But you don’t want to take away his energy and one of the things that makes him so effective. There’s always a fine line in dealing with guys that can make those plays with their feet.” — Texas coach Tom Herman on freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

GAME BREAKDOWN

Scouting the running game: Texas still is getting next to nothing from its running backs in the run game. Kyle Porter (three carries for seven yards), Toneil Carter (five totes for six yards) and Chris Warren III (six carries for four yards) totaled just 17 yards against Oklahoma with a long run of five yards (by Porter on the Longhorns’ second offensive snap of the game). Ehlinger leads the team in carries with 68, rushing attempts per game (17) and in yards per game (67.8). Yes, Texas is working behind a makeshift offensive line because of injuries, but finding a consistent running game from its backs is paramount.

Scouting the passing game: Ehlinger threw for 278 yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma, and Warren was the team’s leading receiver (four catches for 55 yards). The Longhorns’ wide receiver corps continues to be one of the best units on the team. “We knew that we could get the running backs involved (against Oklahoma) because a lot of times the guys that have them in man coverage get lost when you either screen or throw the ball to them out of the backfield,” Herman said.

Scouting the run defense: Texas continued to dominate the line of scrimmage, especially after a sluggish first quarter-and-a-half of the Oklahoma game. The Longhorns rank 23rd in the nation, and second in the conference, in rush defense, allowing 116.7 yards per game.

Scouting the pass defense: The Longhorns had two sacks against Oklahoma and now have 14 for the season. Texas is still having trouble with some basic concepts of coverages and getting into the right place at the right time. “We have got to be more assignment-sound in coverage and if that means we run less coverages, then that’s what that means,” Herman said. “But let’s at least, you know, don’t be a ‘Jack of all trades, master of none.’ Let’s be a master of a couple of things.”

Scouting the special teams: Texas junior kicker Joshua Rowland made his only field goal and improved to 5-of-10 on the year after four misses and a blocked kick in the Longhorns’ first five games. Dickson continues to be a weapon; of his 27 punts through six games, 13 of them have gone for more than 50 yards and nine have been downed inside the 20. Additionally, he has allowed just seven returns and opponents have been limited to 4.7 yards per return.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

• Left tackle Connor Williams: Williams, who suffered a left knee injury late in the first half against USC, has not been reevaluated yet while undergoing rehab of his sprained MCL, a torn meniscus and sprained PCL. It still appears that Williams could return at some point during conference play if his recovery goes well. There is a debate whether coming back at less than 100 percent would hurt his draft stock, but right now Texas just needs healthy and experienced bodies in the line.

• Nose tackle Poona Ford: He had just one tackle against Oklahoma but dominated the middle of the defensive line for the sixth straight game, spearheading the Longhorns’ interior defense. A quiet leader, Ford is loud mostly because of overall excellence and determination. He looks better every game.

• Linebacker Malik Jefferson: Jefferson led Texas with 11 tackles, a sack and a tackle for a loss against OU; he has paced the Longhorns in tackles in five of their six games and his play is noteworthy for his ferocity and for his quickness to the ball.

ROSTER REPORT

• Sophomore wide receiver Collin Johnson, who had just two catches for 26 yards against Oklahoma, has lost his starting spot to Dorian Leonard, according to the depth chart the team released Monday.

• Freshman tight end Reese Leitao, who was suspended for Texas’ first two games after reaching a plea deal on drug charges stemming from a February arrest, did not suit up against Oklahoma. It appears more likely that Leitao will be redshirted.

• Senior wide receiver Armanti Foreman did not see any action on offense for the second straight week but injury was not a factor in that decision, according to Herman. “We talked to Armanti and he has responded to it,” Herman said of Foreman. “Now, where does that fit, I don’t know, because the other receivers are playing really well right now.”

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