QB Quinn Ewers’ return is great for Longhorns, but Texas and Oklahoma both have other key injury issues
Quarterback Quinn Ewers is back for No. 1 Texas this week in the Red River rivalry against No. 18 Oklahoma. But there’s also other injury news on both sides of the Red River worth monitoring. Freshman punter Michael Kern is questionable for the top-ranked Longhorns going into the highly anticipated matchup. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian […]
Quarterback Quinn Ewers is back for No. 1 Texas this week in the Red River rivalry against No. 18 Oklahoma. But there’s also other injury news on both sides of the Red River worth monitoring.
Freshman punter Michael Kern is questionable for the top-ranked Longhorns going into the highly anticipated matchup. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian did not elaborate on Kern’s injury.
Kern has done an admirable job stepping in as a freshman. He’s averaging 42.8 yards per attempt.
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Sophomore Ian Ratliff will handle the punting duties should Kern be unable to play, Sarkisian said. Ratliff would also take over Kern’s duties as the holder on field goals. Ratliff, a redshirt freshman, has not appeared in a game during his time at Texas.
Red River rivalry: How to watch, stream, and listen to Texas vs. Oklahoma Week 7 college football game
It’s that time, Texas fans. Kickoff Saturday is 2:30 and… it’s going to be a huge SEC matchup. The 120th installment of the Red River rivalry brings about yet another top-25 clash in the sold-out Cotton Bowl in the jam-packed State Fair of Texas. Texas (5-0, 1-0 SEC) enters this one ranked No. 1 for […]
On the positive front, safety Derek Williams Jr. is expected back for the Horns after missing the last two games with a hamstring issue.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma may be without its best receiver, Deion Burks. He was listed as questionable on the SEC availability report issued Thursday, but ESPN’s Pete Thamel indicated Burks is likely out.
Burks has 26 catches for 201 yards along with three touchdown catches, all team-high numbers. OU’s next best receiver is Bauer Sharp, a tight end with 18 catches for 159 yards and one score.
The Sooners may lean more on freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.’s legs. After starting the season as the backup, Hawkins flashed tremendous speed against Auburn that helped him win the job permanently.
Oklahoma QB Michael Hawkins set to join a short list with other Longhorns freshmen in Texas-OU history
Hawkins to become first true freshman to start for OU, joining Shane Buechele (2016) and Sam Ehlinger (2017) who started for Texas.
The Sooners are expecting to get freshman running back Taylor Tatum back. The Longview product left the Tennessee game with a concussion and was not listed on the availability report. He is OU’s No. 2 running back behind Jovantae Barnes.
Injuries have decimated OU’s offensive potential. Coach Brent Venables’ team has already lost four receivers to injury and Burks would be No. 5.
Oddsmakers installed Texas has a 14-point favorite with the knowledge that Ewers was likely returning, based on hints Sarkisian was dropping along the way. It’s unclear if the Sooners could keep up should the game turn into a classic shootout.
