Texas Looking To Rebound After Loss
Mountaineers make fifth trip to Austin
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AUSTIN, Texas -- No. 13 West Virginia (6-1, 4-1 Big 12) and No. 17 Texas (6-2, 4-1 Big 12) have had some memorable contests during their seven-game series as Big 12 members.
However, none of them have held more importance than meeting No. 8 at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be televised nationally on Fox and will be the Mountaineers' fifth trip to Darrel K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Mountaineers made its first trip to Austin during the 1956 season in which they came away with a 7-6 victory.
In fact, WVU holds a 3-1 mark over the Longhorns and will be looking to add to that total when it takes on the Longhorns.
"I really don't pay any attention to the past," Texas coach Tom Herman said.
"The only thing that concerns me on Saturday is Saturday's opponent. And, West Virginia is a very, very good team with a Heisman candidate at quarterback (Will Grier) and a defense that is ranked among the best in the Big 12.
"So, my concerns are how we perform this weekend.
"We certainly didn't perform to our abilities this past Saturday, so we are looking for better effort, better energy and better results."
The Longhorns, who were ranked in the Associated Press' Top 10 (No. 6) heading into a showdown with the Cowboys from Oklahoma State, fell behind 31-14 at the half and saw its comeback attempt thwarted following Tre Watson touchdown with 1:46 left in the game to slice the Cowboys' lead to 38-35 with 1:46 left on the clock.
But, a 15-yard personal foul penalty on Texas star lineman Breckyn Hager on a second-and-14 play at the Horns' 37 gave the Cowboys a first down at the UT 13 and allowed them to run the clock out on their guests.
"Give our guys credit for the way we fought back," Herman said. "But, we simply can't make those kinds of mistakes (the personal foul on Hager) if we want to beat a team like West Virginia on Saturday."
UT will look towards standout quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who leads the team in passing (158 of 249 for 1,817 yards and 13 touchdowns) and is third on the team in rushing (86-277, eight TDs) and a defense that is third in the Big 12 in points allowed (26.0 ppg) and has forced eight turnovers (five interceptions, three fumble recoveries) and 11 sacks.
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen can relate to what Herman and his Longhorns suffered through at OSU.
Asked about his team's setback against Iowa State, Holgorsen said, "Yea, I would think it (poor execution) was. He (Will Grier) wasn't the only guy who didn't play well at Iowa State. But, when a team loses, the quarterback and the head coach take most of the criticism.
"But, he's motivated by that loss and his play continues to motivate his teammates."
In other game news:
∫ The last time West Virginia and Texas met as ranked teams -- 2012 -- the Mountaineers pulled out an exciting 48-45 overtime victory which was their last win over the next five contests as WVU finished with a 4-8 mark.
∫ WVU's Will Grier will be making his second official start against the Longhorns. However, the Mountaineers' standout signal-caller missed much of last year's meeting in Morgantown after suffering a broken finger while attempting to score on a short run in the first quarter. West Virginia went on to drop a 28-14 decision to Herman's team and did not enjoy another victory last season -- finishing with a 7-6 record.