Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday that Casey Thompson will replace the Hudson Card as the Longhorns starting quarterback.
Card, who started the first two games, was 8 of 15 for 61 yards and was sacked three times in the Longhorns’ 40-21 loss to Arkansas. Thompson, who also played in the second half against Louisiana, came in and was 5 of 8 for 57 yards and also rushed seven times for 44 yards and two touchdowns.
“I thought Hudson was all in his pocket,” Sarkisian said, saying Card was moving too much. “We weren’t very good at protecting him at the start of the game, but I thought he was a little upset and we missed some opportunities. The game could have easily gone in a different direction than he did.”
Sarkisian said both quarterbacks would continue to play, but said he thought it was “fair” with Thompson to let him start Saturday against Rice (0-2) in Austin.
“I think it would be nice for Hudson to breathe a little of last week’s game and it would be a great opportunity for Casey to step in,” Sarkisian said.
The Longhorns (1-1) fought Arkansas.
Runner Bijan Robinson stayed at 69 running yards, finishing a three-game streak followed by 100 yards. According to ESPN Stats & Information’s investigation, Robinson was hit on or behind the batting line in 10 of his 21 rushes, winning just 2 yards in those 10 runs. Overall, the Longhorns were hit on the line or behind the line in 42% of their rush attempts. Texas had 11 rushes for zero or negatives.
Sarkisian said the loss was frustrating, but will not lead to wholesale changes.
“We’re a new coaching staff. We’re a new scheme,” Sarkisian said. “You know the natural reaction is for the sky to fall, we have to change everything. We have a system, we have coaches who have stood the test of time and will rely on that, and the players will keep buying it. And in the end, we will reap the benefits, so we will continue on our way, but we must definitely correct the mistakes that occurred. “