AUSTIN (KXAN) — Through two games, Texas hasn’t had a running back score a rushing touchdown. For obvious reasons, that’s something Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian wants to fix when the UTEP Miners enter DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
When asked if he’s getting enough out of the running game following the Longhorns’ 38-7 win over San Jose State on Sept. 6, Sarkisian replied succinctly, “the jury is still out.” He thought it was good against Ohio State in the season opener, but was less impressed with the performance against the Spartans, even with a shorthanded backfield. Quintrevion Wisner, the team’s lead back and 1,000-yard rusher last season, will again sit on the sideline with a leg injury against the Miners.
Sarkisian hopes that players on the depth chart behind Wisner take full advantage of that and log meaningful carries that will help them later in the season.
“The running back position, at any level, is important to continue the development of players who don’t get the bulk of carries in games,” Sarkisian said. “As we all know, injuries happen and guys get forced into action, so you have to make sure you’re preparing those guys.”
Christian Clark had his first game action as a Longhorn last week after missing all of his true freshman year with a knee injury sustained in training camp. He gained 21 yards on seven carries, so it wasn’t like his performance jumped off the stat sheet, but Sarkisian said it benefited him tremendously.
“He had an opportunity to see the tape and get back to practice this week to make sure he’s running to his style,” Sarkisian said. “Running to see how things hit and fit in games.”
Jerrick Gibson, Texas’ short-yard specialist last season, is looking for perhaps a bigger role this season, but he needs to cut down on his fumbles. Coaches worked tirelessly with him last season to improve his ball security, but the issues resurfaced against the Spartans. Gibson coughed up the ball with 1:16 left in the game on the Spartans’ 15-yard line.
Coincidentally, the defender who forced Gibson’s fumble was former Longhorn Larry Turner-Gooden.
Sarkisian said he “hated that for him,” and said Gibson will continue to drill, hanging on to the ball through contact.
“It was good exposure for him. Once you think you have it high and tight, you might not have it high and tight enough, especially in traffic,” Sarkisian said. “We’re going to need him. His physical running ability is something we’ll need as the season progresses.”
Sarkisian also hopes James Simon, a true freshman who was rated as the No. 9 running back recruit in the country by 247Sports last season, gets some game action. Sarkisian said Simon “has been working very hard.”
CJ Baxter is good to go and should see the most carries, at least early on, depending on whether the Longhorns can build a big lead.
Moore, January, Mosley all doubtful for Saturday
The injury news for the Longhorns doesn’t stop at Wisner. Wide receiver DeAndre Moore came off the field against San Jose State last week and didn’t play in the second half. Defensive tackle Alex January and wide receiver Emmett Mosley V didn’t dress for last week’s game, either, and all three are doubtful against the Miners.
Texas has one more nonconference game against Sam Houston State on Sept. 20, followed by an intentionally placed bye week before meeting Florida in the Southeastern Conference opener on Oct. 4. Sarkisian said he doesn’t have long-term worries about any of them, so theoretically, they should all be ready to go for SEC play.
“We’d be putting them at risk for long-term effects if we forced them back too soon,” Sarkisian said.
Like the running back situation, this gives Sarkisian the chance to develop depth pieces at those positions, giving him more trusted options to go later in the season when everybody has bumps and bruises.
Credit: Source link
