Longhorns ‘chomping at the bit’ to start 2019 season

By Steve Habel, Senior Contributing Writer

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas coach Tom Herman preaches, to the nth degree, that his team remains focused on going 1-0 each week, winning each practice, each drill, each rep every day.

And while that philosophy and focus have been mostly successful and driven the Longhorns to a 10-victory campaign in 2018, and back into the AP Top 10 this preseason, the one thing it hasn’t done is produce a season-opening win.

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Riding their highest preseason ranking since the last time it played for the national championship, the No. 10 Longhorns can take nothing for granted when they host Louisiana Tech Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Texas has faltered in the opening game each of the past two seasons, shockingly losing to Maryland at home in 2017 and on the road to the Terrapins last year despite being heavily favored to win both games.

That trend will have to end if Texas wants to really be “back,” as its erstwhile Heisman Trophy-candidate quarterback Sam Ehlinger proclaimed after the victory over Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s night in the Big Easy.

The Longhorns are talented, hungry and well-prepared. Now they have to execute – which has been an issue in season-openers the past two years.

“I expect a team that’s eager to prove to each other that they are ready and excited to play,” Herman said Thursday after the team’s final full-scale workout in prep for the Bulldogs. “I don’t expect them to play perfect – the perfect game has never been played. I just want them to trust their training, give maximum effort and be physical.”

Herman said his team has shown the confidence and steely-eyed focus it needs to snap its two-game losing streak in season openers.

“We’ve had a really good week, we’ve been really crisp and are ready to play,” Herman explained. “We are excited and ready to cut it loose – we’re chomping at the bit to get the season started and into the routine of things.

“I do sense a confidence in these guys – and it’s not been just this week, it’s been through the whole offseason,” Herman added. “The way that we practice, the games should be easy or at least easier. Once the butterflies go away, are guys will understand how well they are trained and have been prepared.”

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