Texas Football: Position-by-position report card from non-conference play
Offensive line
The offensive line play was mostly up and down throughout the non-conference slate for Texas football. But it did end on a high note in the 48-13 win over Rice this weekend. The Longhorns gave plenty of time to the quarterbacks to sit back in the pocket and patiently go through their reads.
Giving junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger and redshirt freshman Casey Thompson all the time in the world to make their decision in the pocket both helps their rhythm and development and keeps them upright and healthy. Ehlinger only had four incompletions against the Owls and Thompson had just two on seven attempts. A lot of that is due to the play of the offensive line.
Texas is also averaging well over four yards per carry to start the regular season.
The Longhorns are starting to settle in more in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The offensive line is getting more and more stability with new starters like the former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets transfer guard Parker Braun and redshirt freshman tackle Junior Angilau. But the injury this weekend to senior center Zach Shackelford is concerning.
Moving forward, the Longhorns need to hope for the best health possible for the offensive line. With this group of starters from the outset of the regular season settling in nicely, they need to continue to get comfortable around each other. At the outset of Big 12 play, Texas will face an inconsistent and young Oklahoma State defensive line.