Takeaways from Texas loss to Maryland

On Saturday, Maryland upset No. 23 ranked Texas in a 34–29 victory. For Maryland, this was a relative highlight after the tragic loss of offensive lineman, Jordan McNair. Interim head coach, Matt Canada, set up a solid offensive game plan that ultimately outlasted Texas in the end.
On the other hand, for the Longhorns, this was another example of what everyone should have expected them to be, their own worst enemy. For Texas, every great moment was met with an even greater mental error.
The best example of that was when with less than seven minutes left in the fourth quarter with Terrapins leading, the Longhorns committed three critical turnovers that ultimately finished the game, despite the defense preventing Maryland from scoring any points on the following drives.
Early in the game, Texas had issues on the offensive side of things. Both the running and passing game could not produce in a major way which forced them into a 24–7 hole well into the second quarter.
The defense wasn’t completely devoid of fault either. The Terrapins jet sweeps really took apart Texas. Maryland’s freshman receiver, Jeshaun Jones was a particular nightmare for the Horns, scoring a receiving touchdown, a rushing touchdown, and even throwing for one as well.
Along with that, the Longhorns committed 10 penalties for 102 yards, continuing a sickening trend from last season.
All told, the biggest worry coming out of this game was the quarterback play. Sophomore Sam Ehlinger played an above average game and showed some improvement as a passer, throwing 21 of 39 for 263 and 2 touchdowns. Even then, he started the game going only 2 of 7 into the second quarter and ended up throwing 2 ill-advised interceptions late in the fourth quarter.
Although the performance was disappointing to say the least, this is not the time to bench Ehlinger. There was enough improvement to at least allow him to start against Tulsa.
Regardless of the quarterback play, this situation for Texas just seems all too familiar at this point. Have an over-hyped team in Texas face an underrated squad that the Longhorns are obviously going to beat. Then have a bunch of “unexpected” mental errors that ultimately cost the Horns the game, and be “stunned” at the loss. It’s a script that’s been used for the last four years, and by the looks of it, another season as well.
