Despite a 12-for-15 showing at UCLA and not throwing an interception in 53 pass attempts this season, Case McCoy did not take a snap against Oklahoma State. The sophomore quarterback was understandably unhappy with his playing time but is still doing everything he can to get back on the field. Freshman David Ash has slowly replaced McCoy, getting more involved in the offense until he had the starting quarterback job all to himself this weekend.
“I think [McCoy] was disappointed,” said head coach Mack Brown. “He has really worked hard. He has not given up. He’s competing and wants to play.”
Brown sees different attitude from this year’s team
Believe it or not, Texas is in the same place now as it was after six games a year ago at 4-2. Last season, the Longhorns lost five of their last six games but Brown has seen improvement in his squad’s outlook and perspective of themselves. Coming off a big upset win at No. 5 Nebraska in Texas’ last contest against the Cornhuskers before they left for the Big Ten, Brown admitted that the Longhorns got overconfident but does not see the same trait in his team now.
“We came back from Nebraska thinking we were better than we were,” Brown said. “This team right now is not giving itself credit for anything. I think this team understands that we have to fight for everything we get. That’s what a 5-7 season does to you. It gets you back down to earth. It’ll humble you really quickly.”
Quarterback spot still wide open
After McCoy and Ash replaced Garrett Gilbert against BYU, Texas employed an effective two-quarterback system for the next three games. But Ash took over against Oklahoma State while McCoy wore a headset the whole game. Nevertheless, Brown claims that the position behind center has not been filled yet.
“Our quarterback situation will stay competitive,” Brown said. “If we feel like a different combination of both or another one will work better is going to help us win at Kansas, we’ll do that. If we feel like David needs to continue going, we’ll do that.”
Longhorns looking for another quarterback
Texas is using the second bye week of the season to their advantage as many assistant coaches will head out Thursday after practice on recruiting trips and return sometime Saturday night. One of those coaches, co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin, will be on the lookout for another quarterback. The Longhorns began the season with four quarterbacks but two – junior Garrett Gilbert and freshman Connor Wood – have since decided to transfer. Connor Brewer, the third best high school quarterback according to ESPN, is committed to play for Texas beginning next year but Brown would like to add a fourth field general to his arsenal. “With Garrett leaving, we’re looking at who’s out there,” Brown said. “We’re looking for who’s interested and who fits who we are. We’re not going to take unless we feel like they’re good enough. We haven’t made a decision whether we’ll take one or not.”
Brown wants to get rid of postgame handshake
The longtime Longhorns head coach claims he’s never chased a coach down like Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz did Sunday. But he did say he would like to see the customary coaches’ postgame handshake go away, along with fans occasionally going onto the field after a game. Brown, however, did not have an issue with pregame pleasantries with opposing head coaches, citing the lack of emotion coaches have before a game compared to after one.
“If a guy runs up the score on you, you don’t wanna go over to him and hug him and say, ‘Hey, great job! I like that. Great game. Thanks for scoring 80. How’s your family?’” Brown said.
