Texas Football: 5 overreactions from Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns scores a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

2. Sam Ehlinger wasn’t going to lose that game

If there was ever a time that Texas football had a player absolutely will the team to victory, it was Ehlinger in this Sugar Bowl. Ehlinger was determined to cap a breakout sophomore campaign with one of his most decisive and persevering outings of 2018-19.

The Sugar Bowl win didn’t see Ehlinger post the most eye-popping numbers against the Dawgs in the passing game. What he did do was play mostly mistake-free football again and provide the Texas offense with another dynamic threat that could make an impact in the passing game and rushing attack. Although, that’s what Ehlinger gave to the Texas offense for pretty much the entire season.

Ehlinger finished this game with 169 passing yards and 64 rushing yards. He didn’t rack up any passing touchdowns, interceptions, or fumbles coughed up. But, he did post all three of the touchdowns with his legs that the Horns managed in the Sugar Bowl. In effect, Ehlinger finished the year with 16 rushing and 41 total touchdowns. That was good for the single-season rushing touchdown record from a Texas quarterback, surpassing the legendary Vince Young.

The three rushing touchdowns from Ehlinger also set a Sugar Bowl record for most from a quarterback in an individual game. This record-shattering performance for Ehlinger was good enough to receive the honors as Sugar Bowl MVP. The progression Ehlinger made during 2018 culminated to a memorable showing in the Sugar Bowl to give this program its biggest postseason win since the 2008 season.

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