Sam Ehlinger: Utah Is An Incredible Program, They Play The Right Way

SAN ANTONIO, Tex. – Texas junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger was very complimentary of the Utah football program in their press conference ahead of their showdown with the Utes in the Alamo Bowl.

He was asked about his perception of Utah’s program.

“They are an incredible program,” Ehlinger said. “Obviously very well run. You turn on the tape and you watch those guys play football and they play it the right way. They are flying around playing physical, stopping the run and doing everything that their coaches clearly ask them to do. All of my interactions and understanding of what they have done in San Antonio, they are a great program with great people, so my hat is off to them.”

The Longhorns are in a similar situation with their bowl opponent as last year. Texas finished the regular season with a 9-3 record before losing to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game. They were selected to play in the Sugar Bowl against No. 5 Georgia, who was in the College Football Playoff picture until they lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship game. Texas went on to beat the Bulldogs 28-21 in the bowl game and many said that Georgia wasn’t motivated because they were in the Playoff until they lost to the Crimson Tide.

Utah would have likely been in the College Football Playoff or at least the Rose Bowl until they suffered an upset loss to Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship. Ehlinger was asked if this game in the Alamo Bowl against another Playoff contender have the same feel as when they played Georgia last season.

“For me, their game plans and what they do as a defense is completely different,” Ehlinger stated. “Big picture, that is irrelevant to me right now as I prepare for the defensive scheme that they will present on Tuesday.”

Ehlinger has thrown for 3,462 yards, 29 touchdowns and 9 interceptions this season. He has also ran the ball 152 times for 590 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. The junior will have his hands full against Utah’s defense that will only be missing two key starters after safety Julian Blackmon suffered an injury in their loss to Oregon and star cornerback Jaylon Johnson sitting out the bowl game to begin preparation for the 2020 NFL Draft.

No. 11 Utah and Texas will face off in the Alamo Bowl on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The game will be televised on ESPN.

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