MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Sam Ehlinger is out for blood, and West Virginia knows he’s talented enough to get it.
“He’s a Heisman Trophy candidate. He’s a tough kid,” said WVU coach Neal Brown. “I think his personality is what that team has really taken. He’s a tough guy who loves everything Texas represents.”
The Texas quarterback circled the Mountaineers as soon as last year’s 42-41 West Virginia win was over, proclaiming “I remember every single team/player that disrespects the rich tradition of the University of Texas by putting the Horns down. Do not think it will be forgotten in the future.”
It didn’t take long for that tweet to be deleted, but surely the thought still resides in Ehlinger’s brain. And on Saturday, the future becomes the present when the Longhorns visit the Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium.
“I don’t know the guy, but he’s a good football player. A solid football player,” said West Virginia junior defensive tackle Darius Stills. “He’s a big quarterback who likes to run. He can pass the ball also, so you have to keep him in your vision. Don’t sleep on him, that’s for sure.”
Ehlinger is off to an outstanding start to the season, completing 72.9 percent of his passes for 309.2 yards per game. Turnover-prone early in his career, the junior has one interception against his 15 touchdown passes.
“He has improved. He has a lot of hype on TV and stuff like that,” Stills said. “But that don’t scare me at all. The more hype you get, the better it’s going to be when I sack you.”
For as good as he is throwing the ball, it’s what he can do tucking it away that causes defenses headaches. Ehlinger is no burner, but he’s able to keep plays alive longer than many quarterbacks. And with an average of 47.8 yards per game on the ground, he knows what to do when a play breaks down.
“He’s a tough runner,” Stills said. “You have to play all your assignments or he’s going to make you look dumb.”
Ehlinger’s running style is more Mike Alstott than Pat White or Kyler Murray. He’s not a threat to break off a 75-yard run, but getting him down with one tackler is a challenge.
“He provides a bigger body that isn’t afraid to put his head down. That’s something you’ve got to prepare for,” said WVU linebacker Shea Campbell. “He’s going to do everything he possibly can to get that extra yard.”
The Mountaineers are well aware that they looked downright foolish the last time they played a quarterback of Ehlinger’s caliber. Missouri quarterback Kelly Bryant dodged West Virginia tacklers with impunity in the Tigers’ 38-7 win.
“You all saw what happened at Missouri. It’s the same type of guy, but maybe he can throw a little better,” said WVU defensive coordinator Vic Koenning. “We have our work cut out.”
West Virginia’s defense has worked on specific tackling drills since the Mizzou fiasco, and hopes it will bring better results against Ehlinger.
“After what happened at Missouri, we all have a better understanding of what has to happen to be successful,” Campbell said. “That was a terrible showing, and it’s not gonna happen again.”