DC 2018-08-31 by The Daily Texan

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Double Coverage VOL. 13 ISSUE 1 | AUG 31, 2018

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T E N N E S S E E AT N O . 17 WEST VIRGINIA

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Copy Editor............................................................................Kirsten Handler

Tom Herman’s highly anticpated sophomore campaign is finally here. All of the storylines — the quarterback battle, the allegedly improved offensive line and another season of a dominant Longhorn defense — will all find answers once Texas takes the field for its season opener against Maryland at FedExField. With the memories of last year’s 51-41 loss to the Terrapins in the minds of Longhorn fans, Texas will now have the opportunity to avenge the disappointing showing.

Cover Photo..............................................................................Gabriel Lopez

ALEX BRISEÑO & ROSS BURKHART

Vol. 13, Issue 1

Friday, August 31, 2018

Double Coverage Editor...................................Alex Briseño & Ross Burkhart Design Editor...........................................................................Kendall Jordan Photo Editor...............................................................................Angela Wang

Writers Steve Helwick

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heisman

watch B Y D O N N A VA N S M O O T @dsmoot3d

gabriel lopez | the daily texan file Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield runs from a Longhorn defender in a game on Oct. 14, 2017 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

T d

ANOTHER YEAR OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS UPON US A N D W I T H I T C O M E S T H E Y E A R - L O N G C O N V E R S AT I O N OF WHO THE 2018 HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER WILL BE. HERE ARE SOME OF THIS PRESEASON’S T O P C A N D I D AT E S : Bryce Love — Stanford Cardinal running back, #20

Bryce Love is entering his senior season as the consensus best bet for the 2018 Heisman Trophy. The explosive Cardinal running back finished as the runner-up to Baker Mayfield, who ended up as the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft for the Cleveland Browns. Love is an offense weapon for the Stanford Cardinal. His junior year was a true breakout season. In 13 games, he ran for 2,113 yards and 19 touchdowns. All eyes will be on Love as he will have ample opportunities to have his Heisman moment. Three of the first six games for the Cardinal are top 25 matchups, two of which will be on the road.

Jonathan Taylor — Wisconsin Badgers running back, #23

Taylor is coming off a historic freshman season. He set a freshman rushing record for yards in a season with 1,977 yards, helped lead the Badgers to an undefeated regular season and ran for over 100 yards in a bowl win over Miami. He accomplished all of this while being 18 years old. This year, Taylor could take his game and team to the next level. The sophomore running back has explosive speed and elite big play ability. He had three games for over 200 yards rushing and 12 games in which he averaged five yards per carry. With the Badgers being a popular pick for the college football playoff, Taylor and his team have the potential for a special season.

Will Grier — West Virginia Mountaineers Quarterback, #12

The West Virginia quarterback is trying to become the second-consecutive Big 12 quarterback to win the award. The senior quarterback is coming off a season-ending finger injury which he suffered in a 28-14 loss against Texas. Before the injury, Grier was on pace to throw over 4,000 yards and over 40 touchdowns. The Mountaineer is prepared to come back from injury and lead his team to a Big 12 Championship.

Ed Oliver — Houston Cougars Defensive Tackle, #10

The Heisman trophy is usually an afterthought to defensive players, especially those who are outside of power five play. Charles Woodson is the only primarily defensive player to ever win the award. With that being said, Ed Oliver has bull rushed himself into serious contention. Oliver is among the NCAA’s most elite players, regardless of position. So much so that his name is legitimately in the conversation for the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft. The reigning Outland Trophy winner is in prime position to use his 6-foot-2-inch, 290-pound frame to force his way into the backfield and the top of Heisman ballots.

august 31, 2018

juan figueroa | the daily texan file Then-freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger hands off to then-junior running back Chris Warren III during the Longhorns’ near comeback against the Sooners.

ehlinger continues from page

Sam the starter for Saturday, he also said the chances of Shane Buechele’s number

getting called at some point in the season are high. Whether or not that means a two-quarterback system in the team’s future is unclear. Sam is

aware that he can’t throw six interceptions in Saturday’s game and remain the starter. “I always play myself, the way I know how to play the game: with

katie bauer | the daily texan file Then-freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger stiff arms an Oklahoma defender in the Red River Rivalry. Ehlinger finishes as the Longhorns leading rusher with 106 yards.

confidence and only controlling the things that I can control,” Ehlinger said. Ehlinger’s improvements have been discussed throughout the

summer, but he still hasn’t had the opportunity to translate onto the field in an actual game. When asked why Texas fans should buy into all of the talk over the last

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maryland off-season

s Saturday approaches for Maryland’s season opener with Texas, what takes place at FedEx Field will almost feel like a “sideshow,” University of Maryland sports editor Andy Kostka told The Daily Texan. Off-the-field distractions for the Terrapins, including the death of freshman Jordan McNair and the ESPN story accusing the coaching staff of creating a “toxic culture,” have lasted all summer. It all started on May 29, during an offseason workout organized by the football team’s strength and conditioning staff. Offensive lineman Jordan McNair started displaying signs of heat exhaustion as he reportedly struggled to stand upright during a series of 110-yard sprints. He was later taken into the Maryland football facilities for further examination. The attorney for the McNair

BY ROBERT LARKIN @r_larkintexas

04 june

McNair dies at the age of 19 at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. At the time of his death, no cause of death is announced.

august

In a statement, the Maryland football program confirms that McNair has been hospitalized after an offseason workout and is in “critical, but stable condition.”

june

Maryland releases a statement to announce that sports medicine consultant Rod Walters will conduct the external review on the events leading to McNair’s hospitalization and death. Walters previously served as an athletic trainer at Appalachian State and South Carolina.

june

Maryland president William Loh and athletic director Damon Evans host a press conference regarding the investigation into McNair’s death. Loh says that the university accepts “full legal and moral responsibility for the mistakes that our training staff made on that fateful workout day.”

Maryland athletic director Damon Evans hosts a press conference one day after McNair’s death with head football coach DJ Durkin and team physician Dr. Frank Henn in attendance. Evans answers questions from the media and provides details on the May 29 workout and timeline leading to McNair’s hospitalization. He also adds that an external investigation will be conducted into the events that day.

august

Strength and conditioning coach Rick Court resigns amid the allegations presented in the ESPN report. Court settled terms on his contract and will receive $315,000.

august

june

The attorney for the McNair family tells ESPN that Durkin should be fired for his role in the workout that led to McNair’s death. He also says the family will consider a civil lawsuit.

family told ESPN that McNair has a seizure at 5 p.m. Nearly one hour later, at 5:58 p.m., an unidentified person called 911 to report that McNair was “hyperventilating” and “unable to control his breath.” He was later taken to the hospital by paramedics and arrived at 6:36 p.m. with a body temperature of 106 degrees. The hospital transported him to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore that same evening. After two weeks of hospitalization, McNair died at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He was 19 years old.

Here is a timeline of the events following May 29 and what has occurred at the University of Maryland in the time since:

McNair’s parents make an announcement on the website for the newly-created Jordan McNair Foundation.

july

Multiple players and people close to the Maryland football program speak to ESPN about a “toxic” culture under head coach DJ Durkin and strength and conditioning coach Rick Court. Details include allegations of the public humiliation of players and extreme verbal abuse. One former Maryland staff member tells ESPN, “I would never, ever, ever allow my child to be coached there.”

august

Following the report by ESPN, athletic director Damon Evans releases a statement saying Durkin will be placed on administrative leave. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada becomes interim head coach.

Q&Awith andy kostka BY ROSS BURKHART @ross_burkhart

T H E D A I LY T E X A N S P O K E W I T H A N D Y K O S T K A , A S S O C I AT E S P O R T S E D I T O R A N D F O O T B A L L B E AT W R I T E R AT D I A M O N D B A C K S P O R T S . Daily Texan: What would you say this team’s biggest weakness is heading into week one? Kostka: Well, I could

say … you worry about the defense losing six starters. Going back to how (interim head coach Matt Canada) answered the question about how focused this team is, he says basically he hopes they’re ready and he thinks they’re as ready as they can be given the situation they’re in and I think that’s what this kind of boils down to. This football game on Saturday is kind of a sideshow to this entire summer of Jordan McNair’s heat stroke, leading to his death in June. Then, the ESPN report coming out citing toxic culture and everything like that. Then, DJ Durkin being placed on administrative leave. Now, two internal investigations. One of them is expected to have the results announced Sept. 15 so this football game is really sneaking up on at least, me, if not everyone involved. But that might be the biggest challenge is could these players … block out the noise outside and just focus on this football game against Texas who’s definitely going to want revenge at an NFL stadium. So it will be interesting to kind of see how Maryland handles all that …

DT: I’m sure there’s been a lot of talk about the unfortunate death of Jor-

dan McNair this summer. What was the pulse of the program in the immediate aftermath of the events and how has it changed now that we’ve moved into week one?

K: One of the big things is we really don’t know, at least off the record, what the players feel because we’ve been able to talk to the players twice since Jordan McNair’s death in June. Once was at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, in June and they made an announcement maybe a week ago about how the players would memorialize Jordan McNair and we weren’t able to ask questions at that. I guess you could say Maryland has done a good job … at keeping the players (from) exposing to the media. So, we don’t really exactly know what they’re thinking at least in a scheduled interview, but Matt Canada has been doing a good job of saying in his press conferences like ‘Oh, they’re excited to play,’ … ‘They’re playing for Jordan,’ stuff like that. Watching some practices, they look fired up. They’re out there for a reason. They love the sports. So, I think definitely some of the players and probably the coaches are kind of thankful that there’s something other to talk about, there’s a football game to talk about instead of constantly answering questions on Jordan McNair. Those questions won’t go away, but there will

be some spur of minutes when people are interested in what is going on on the field.

DT: As far as the student

body, is the game still something that the students are able to get excited for or has this put a damper on things?

K: It’s kind of a mixed

bag. Some people have the feeling of “This isn’t the players’ fault at all. We should definitely support these players.” Then (there are) the students (who) don’t really want to go to a game. Obviously there are technically allegations, but with the toxic culture report, there are students who say I don’t really want to watch a team that is accused of that. … The stadium is close by but it’s not exactly the closest thing. It will be interesting to see how any students show up to this game. Maryland hasn’t exactly been the winningest program for a while so the tendency at Maryland Stadium is that attendance is usually better at the beginning of the season. Texas will be a draw but it’s definitely a mixed bag on how excited people are.

juan figueroa | the daily texan file Then-sophomore wide receiver Collin Johnson hauls in a catch and runs through Kansas defenders during Texas’ 42-27 victory over the Jayhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

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Keys to the game: t maryland B Y W I L L S L AY T O N @willsdebeast

The return of Texas football is upon us, and the storylines are plentiful. Last year, Maryland came into Austin and stole a win. On Saturday, Texas will look to write a new narrative. Here are your keys to the game for pulling off the win at Maryland:

Run the ball down the Terrapins throats

Last year, the Texas rush offense was mediocre at best, with no running back recording more than 375 yards on the season. In fact, the Longhorns’ leading rusher was not a running back at all. Then-freshman Sam Ehlinger led the team in rushing with 381 yards. Well don’t worry Texas fans, that will likely change. The team got an influx of talent in the form of graduate transfer Tre Watson, who was sidelined last season at California during week two. Joining Watson in the backfield this next season will be true freshman Keaontay Ingram, a four-star recruit that looks to complement Watson in addition to current Longhorns sophomores Daniel Young and Toneil Carter. Getting the run game going will not only give the opposing defense something to worry about, but will also open up passing lanes for Ehlinger as the offense looks to improve in Tom Herman’s second year at the helm.

Avoid a major step back on defense

Despite giving up 51 points to Maryland in last year’s season opener, the defense recovered nicely, allowing only

348 yards a game and a little over 21 points per game. This effort was led by current NFL players Malik Jefferson, DeShon Elliott and Holton Hill, who now play for the Bengals, Ravens and Vikings respectively. The Longhorns ranked second in the Big 12 in total defense behind TCU, and in order to keep up that kind of play, players at every level of the unit will have to step up. True freshmen Caden Sterns, a five-star recruit, looks to replace Elliott’s production in the secondary, while senior Anthony Wheeler looks to take over in the second level of the defense. If this team is to make the strides many experts believe this team is capable of making, there simply cannot be a regression on the defensive side of the ball.

Let Ehlinger do his thing

Last week, Tom Herman handed sophomore Sam Ehlinger the keys to the offense despite a few of last year’s performances leaving some fans weary. I am here to tell you, anxious Longhorn fans, not to fret. Ehlinger made some freshman mistakes in games last year, such as an interception in the end zone against Oklahoma State in overtime, a fumble in overtime against No. 4 USC and so on. But he also kept Texas competitive in games against top opponents all season. With a year of experience under his belt, Ehlinger’s ability to run and throwing talent have had an offseason to mature and grow. His running ability forces defenses to game plan a little extra for him, and pulls linebackers towards the line of scrimmage, opening up passing lanes.

august 31, 2018 Year two of the Tom Herman era — along with hype, expectations and postseason hopes — begins Saturday as No. 23 Texas takes the field against Maryland at FedExField. This weekend’s game is a rematch of last year’s season opener, when the Terrapins spoiled Herman’s Texas debut with an upset victory in Austin. The Longhorns have brought back most of their main contributors on offense, but lost playmakers such as DeShon Elliott, Poona Ford and Malik Jefferson to the NFL. Now, defensive coordinator Todd Orlando will look for a new set of leaders to fill those gaps. Let’s get right into how this week could play out for the Longhorns:

texas … the quarterback steps up.

Sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger has the keys to the Texas offense for week 1 and all the expectations that come with it. As the team’s leading passer and rusher last year on a stagnant offense last season, he’ll look to distribute the workload this go-around. If Ehlinger can find his big targets, junior wide receivers Collin Johnson and Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, and find a rhythm early, the Longhorns will leave Maryland with a much better result than last year’s opener.

B Y K E S H A V P R AT H I VA D I @kpthefirst

wins if... … it gets a fast start.

Before Texas could blink in last year’s game, it found itself down 27-7 in the second quarter. While the Longhorns nearly closed the gap, the deficit proved too large to overcome. This Terrapin team likes to run the ball. A quick start in Texas’ favor could force Maryland to throw the ball much more than they are comfortable doing, which could force mistakes and potential turnovers.

… special teams and defense force the issue. Three of Texas’ six touchdowns against Maryland came in the form of a blocked field goal, punt return and a pick six. These scores kept the Longhorns in the game when the offense couldn’t and will be crucial as the season goes on. Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando’s group is stout but will need more than just broken up passes or short-yard gains.

juan figueroa

| the daily texan staff

loses if... … it can’t pressure the quarterback.

Most college quarterbacks are mobile. They can use their arm at will, and their legs if necessary. That’s why containing the quarterback in the pocket, especially a mobile one like Tyrrell Pigrome or Kasim Hill, is paramount. If pass rushers such as senior defensive ends Charles Omenihu and Breckyn Hager can’t contain or get after the quarterback, things might get interesting.

brooke crim

| the daily texan staff

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… receivers don’t show up.

Texas has always had a receiver to catch the home-run ball, but it has never found a way to get it to them consistently. Junior wide receiver Collin Johnson and sophomore wide receiver Lil’ Jordan Humphrey headline this list with the ability to go up and make a play on almost any ball. If Texas’ offense experiences last year’s inconsistencies, Ehlinger is going to be running around a lot more than he’s throwing, and that could spell trouble for Texas.

… its running game stagnates.

One of Texas’ biggest question marks right now is the run game. Maryland out rushed Texas last year, 263-98, and controlled most of the game as a result. If Texas can’t find a spark or a go-to running back in the backfield, Ehlinger will have to put himself in the line of fire, which will create issues in the game plan for the offensive staff.

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| the daily texan file

Then-sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger tries to break a tackle during the Texas’ 29-24 loss to the Sooners in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl on Oct. 14, 2017.

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Sam Ehlinger didn’t have a perfect freshman year. Anytime sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger faces the media, he is forced to answer questions regarding the numerous, often detrimental mistakes he made last season. The game-ending fumble against USC. The interception in overtime that handed Oklahoma State a 13-10 victory in front of a stunned burnt-orange filled Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The two-interception fourth quarter to allow Texas Tech to steal a win away in the season closer. He is reminded of each one, and every time he returns to the same mentality. “I think everything happens for a reason,” Ehlinger said. “… Without those things, I wouldn’t have learned the amount that I did. Although it would have been great for them to go the other way and to beat USC on the road for my first away game, that would have been great, but I learned a lot of things from that.” While Ehlinger and the Longhorns broke Texas fans’ hearts after losing the double overtime thriller in Los

Angeles, the big picture — which showed an 18-year-old true freshman nearly upset the then-No. 4 squad in the country — wasn’t nearly as ugly. “It brings an extra level of confidence to know that even without the knowledge and the experience that I could pull some stuff out that I never thought I could. Now, with the experience and the knowledge of what we’re going to do and what they’re going to do. I’m really excited for what’s to come.” According to Ehlinger, his coaching staff and just about every player on the roster, Sam’s extra year of experience has done wonders for the quarterback’s decision-making. “I would get so mad at him when I would chase him on third downs because he would just scramble,” Hager said as he reflected on last year’s practices. “I would tell him, ‘Dude, throw the ball.’ Now he’s not scrambling, he’s just throwing the ball and beating us with his arm not his legs.” Hager’s comments are a drastic change from last season, when Ehlinger led the team in rushing in back-to-back games

last season. “Being able to go all the way through my progression, go through four receivers opposed to just one receiver and taking off — that’s part of understanding of the offense and the experience with live bullets coming at you,” Ehlinger said. It’s hard to measure the extent of Ehlinger’s improvements, but it was enough to earn him the starting job for the season opener in what Herman called “probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make as a head coach.” Earlier this week, Ehlinger spoke to the media for the first time since being named starting quarterback. He said he watched film from last season’s performances the night before. He didn’t like what he saw. “It was pretty eye-opening to see how far behind we were offensively in the understanding of what we were doing,” Ehlinger said. “There were some very obvious things that we would have picked up … it’s pretty knee-jerking, but we know how far we’ve come since then.” While Herman has named

EHLINGER

page

august 31, 2018

TYRRELL PIGROME, NO. 3 & KASIM HILL, NO. 11 QUARTERBACKS Pigrome was enjoying a phenomenal start to his sophomore year in Austin last fall. In an offensive clinic against the Longhorns, “Piggy” completed 75 percent of his passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, he dominated Todd Orlando’s run defense for 64 rushing yards in the team’s 51-41 win. However, an ACL tear reported in the aftermath of the upset suddenly halted Pigrome’s progress. Hill, a redshirt freshman, checked in during the third quarter, sealing the victory. With Pigrome lost for the season, Hill demolished FCS opponent Towson in week two behind a nearly flawless performance. But one game later, Hill suffered the same fate. Neither has experienced in-game action since September 2017, and Maryland has yet to name a starter for Saturday.

gabriel lopez

TY JOHNSON, NO. 24 RUNNING BACK

Johnson switched his number this offseason to his old high school digits, similar to Kobe Bryant’s famous change. But the new 24 embedded on his chest doesn’t alter the fact that he’s still one of the more talented runners in the Big Ten Conference. Johnson has totaled 1,879 rushing yards in his last two seasons with Maryland. His best day of his 2017 campaign transpired at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, where he earned 132 rushing yards on just 12 carries. Texas nearly roared back from a 20-point deficit, but Johnson’s 40-yard scamper in the third quarter provided Maryland critical breathing room to complete the opening day upset.

| the daily texan file

carlos garcia

| the daily texan file

carlos garcia

| the daily texan file

opponents to watch B Y S T E V E H E LW I C K @s_helwick

TAVION JACOBS, NO. 12 WIDE RECEIVER

There is one burning question for this Maryland Terrapins offense: Who will replace DJ Moore in terms of production? Moore, a first-round pick to the Carolina Panthers, registered over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns on 80 catches last year. With Maryland’s primary receiver absent from College Park, it’s Jacobs’ turn to step up and become Pigrome or Hill’s primary target. Jacobs finished second on the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns last year. The 5-foot-11-inch senior torched Texas en route to a 47-yard touchdown on a streak route last September. He finished the game with 80 receiving yards and could benefit Saturday with Holton Hill and DeShon Elliott gone from the Texas secondary. gabriel lopez

| the daily texan file

ANTOINE BROOKS JR., NO. 25 STRONG SAFETY

The junior strong safety lines up all over the field and serves as Maryland’s most versatile defender. A safety that hits like a linebacker, Brooks’ specialty is aggressive tackling. He is Maryland’s returning leader in tackles, accumulating 77 in 2017. In addition to his hitting, he recorded two interceptions, a sack and a team-high 9.5 tackles for loss — a remarkably high number for a safety. The Longhorns will have no problem recognizing Brooks’ name on Saturday morning. In his first career start, the strong safety returned a blocked field goal 71 yards for a touchdown. This 10-point swing was the major turning point in the contest, and Brooks will look to cause more havoc during round two against the Longhorns.

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