Steve Sarkisian provides update on Texas starting quarterback situation

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has not yet decided whether Casey Thompson or Hudson Card will be the starting quarterback for the Longhorns on Saturday. Only an “OR” separates the two quarterbacks on the depth chart this week. Sarkisian addressed the quarterback position on Thursday.

“We’re going to decide on the quarterback tomorrow,” Sarkisian said on Thursday. “Both Casey and Hudson have worked this week and have performed well. Ultimately, tomorrow we’ll decide. We’ve got to watch the tape from this morning’s practice and then ultimately make a decision. But what I do know is both guys will play in this game. So whichever one starts, the other one’s going to play in the game.”

Card won the quarterback battle during training camp, earning the job as Texas’ starting quarterback over Thompson. After Card struggled in an early season game, Thompson took over as the starter and has held the position ever since. But last week against Iowa State, Thompson was pulled in favor of Card, leaving many questions entering the new week.

Earlier in the week, Sarkisian said that he would have an answer to who will start at quarterback for Texas later in the week.

“We’ll address that later in the week,” Sarkisian said. “I’ll have an answer for you guys maybe Thursday.

“We’re going to evaluate it this week. Obviously, Casey has been starting here for the past six or seven games. Obviously, we made the move in game. We need to evaluate that this week. There’s plenty of things to evaluate.”

Sarkisian: Not all of the Texas struggles are due to the quarterbacks

While Thursday has come and gone and there is still no clarity as far as who will start at quarterback for Texas, a decision should come soon. Earlier in the week, Sarkisian said that while Texas is struggling, not all of that is due to the quarterbacks.

“We’ve played some pretty good defenses in the last three weeks. I’ve got to give those guys credit. It was Oklahoma State, Baylor, Iowa State — three pretty quality teams,” Sarkisian said of the last three opponents, which rank No. 1, 2 and 3 in Big 12 team defense.

“I think we haven’t been efficient enough at getting the completions that we don’t have to work as hard for. Part of that is on the quarterback, but part of that is on the receivers and the consistency, and part of that is on me, making sure that I’m calling enough of those things to get some rhythm to what we’re doing in the passing game.”

Thompson has completed 114 of his 181 pass attempts this year for 1,556 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also has 120 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. Card has completed 38 of his 62 passes for 415 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also has one rushing touchdown.

Texas hosts Kansas at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night.