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Texas has been examined all yr, however shedding senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger to a shoulder damage was an impediment the Longhorns by no means anticipated.
The identical spirit that pushed the group by this whole 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 damage to beat Colorado 55-23 within the Valero Alamo Bowl on Tuesday evening.
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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 plenty of younger guys that stepped up on this sport,” Robinson mentioned.
The Longhorns are undefeated in 4 bowl video games underneath Tom Herman, unbeaten as a head coach in 5 bowls total.
“That is the end result of plenty 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 mentioned. “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 couldn’t be prouder of my group.”
Extra adversity developed towards the Buffaloes (4-2).
Ehlinger missed the second half after sustaining a shoulder damage within the second quarter. Herman mentioned he was unsure when the damage occurred, however Ehlinger returned to the sector within the third quarter in warmups, along with his proper arm in a sling. There was no speedy phrase on the extent of his damage.
“I hated that he couldn’t end the sport, however we wouldn’t be right here with out him,” Herman mentioned. “He was the chief behind this senior class. I don’t know what the longer term holds for him, however I do know that I’m grateful for him being on our group, being on my group each day. What he means to us is indescribable.”
The NCAA is providing athletes an additional yr of eligibility given the bizarre circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s unknown if Ehlinger will return.
He performed your entire first half Tuesday, finishing 10 of 16 passes for 160 yards and a rating.
Colorado was enjoying its sixth sport of the season because of the 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 as a consequence 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 move 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 move from Ehlinger with 5:28 remaining within the first.
The Longhorns didn’t 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 move to Moore simply 37 seconds into the third for a 24-10 benefit.
Thompson added a 25-yard landing move to Moore, a 23-yarder to Robinson and a 73-yarder to Kelvontay Dixon. The backup was 8 of 10 on the evening.
“I’m actually pleased with the younger guys,” Herman mentioned. “I’m 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 resulted in an interception when Sam Noyer threw into a gaggle of 4 defenders. Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown made his second interception of the season, selecting 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.
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TAKEAWAY
Colorado: Regardless of the lopsided loss, coach Karl Dorrell’s tenure with the Buffaloes is off to a superb begin. Colorado went 3-1 within the Pac-12 underneath Dorrell, who signed a five-year contract within the offseason.
Texas: The Longhorns discovered a succesful alternative 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.
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