Film room: Analyzing Hudson Card's best throws against WVU

Texas quarterback Hudson Card was 21-of-27 for 303 yards and three touchdowns in the Longhorns’ 38-20 win over West Virginia. He had more completions of 15 yards or greater (8) than incompletions (6) in his best statistical game as a Longhorn.

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Not all of those passes were to targets 15 or more yards down the field, but several of them were, including some landed deep shots. That was an area Card struggled in last season and in spurts this year, but on Saturday it looked it was mostly an area of comfort.

This week’s film review looks at those 15-plus yard completions plus some of the other plays worth highlighting from the third-year quarterback.

Play 1 – 3rd & 8 – 11:29 Q1 (-26)

Before getting into the good, it’s important to understand where this game started. Card had a quick pass to Ja’Tavion Sanders to net one first down, then a run to Bijan Robinson was followed by an incomplete pass to Robinson as Card was under pressure. On 3rd-and-8, Card is sacked as the result of a poorly blocked four-man pressure to force a punt.

The next time Card takes the field, though, he begins to turn things around.

Play 2 – 1st & 10 – 8:46 Q1 (+49)

This is a great design and the right read by Card, as he saw both underneath defenders crash on Sanders. He throws it to Roschon Johnson on the run, but the pass brings Johnson off his feet. It’s hard to figure out who to pin blame on, but a more accurate throw from Card and possibly a crisper route from Johnson without any drifting toward the sideline and this one is worth six points.

Play 3 – 2nd & 5 – 6:16 Q1 (+15)

Arguably, one of the best plays of Card’s career. 12 personnel left three defenders covering two receivers on the outside, and one of those defenders bit on the play fake. In any case, Xavier Worthy‘s post-corner cooks the defender, and Card stood in with a hit coming to deliver the ball to the end zone for his first of three total touchdowns.

Play 4 – 2nd & 11 – 2:16 Q1 (-25)

The player Card was reading comes on a blitz, and Card quickly tosses the ball to Jordan Whittington with two tight ends blocking the two defenders in the area. Whittington bursts through the lane created for him until met 31 yards downfield by the single-high safety.

Play 5 – 1st & 10 – 1:58 Q1 (+44)

Unfortunately, in the very next play, Card sailed a throw to a wide-open Worthy that would have been six points.

Play 6 – 2nd & 7 – 13:50 Q2 (-32)

Another excellent play from Card with some help from Whittington. Much has been made about Quinn Ewers‘ arm talent, and with extremely good reason. Card has talent in his right arm, too, and this throw is some evidence of that.

Look where his hips are pointed. Card is set up for a throw to the middle of the field, but the pressure he feels and the coverage downfield has him looking elsewhere. Whittington turns upfield and Card finds him between defenders for a big gain to move into WVU territory.

At this point, Card is 8-of-10. This begins a stretch of four consecutive completions that go for 15 yards or more.

Play 7 – 1st & 10 – 13:23 Q2 (+46)

Not all of Card’s completions of 15 yards or more were complex reads or tough throws. Sometimes, simple works, and the quick pass in the flat to Bijan Robinson is typically successful.

Play 8 – 1st & 20 – 6:06 Q2 (-11)

A fumble and a penalty put Texas into a tough spot deep in their own territory. WVU helped the Longhorns get back on track with a late-hit flag after Card hits Keilan Robinson for a gain of 17.

With the way this is being blocked, this looks like Card reads the end man on the line of scrimmage. Once he crashed on the run play, Card pulls the ball for the quick flip to Robinson and the big gain.

Play 9 – 1st & 10 – 5:44 Q2 (-43)

Hard to tell exactly what the WVU defensive backs are doing because it looks like busted coverage, but the sim pressure puts creates a very dirty pocket for Card.

Remember that arm talent? Again, it shows up here. He leaves his feet, normally a bad call, but his arm strength compensates and he finds Worthy downfield before the defender can get there.

A risky throw, but an excellent job of moving up in the pocket and finding his top target downfield.

Play 10 – 2nd & 11 – 4:28 Q2 (+13)

Not a 15-plus-yarder, but a touchdown pass that makes the highlight reel. Sanders puts his man on the ground and then hauls in the throw once Card sees he has inside leverage on the safety. Sanders makes the play and gets his second touchdown of the night.

Play 11 – 1st & 10 – 13:14 Q3 (+44)

Sometimes, it’s nice to be the beneficiary of the bounce and Texas is the beneficiary in this scenario. Card is flushed from the pocket and appears to have room to run, but elects to throw it into double coverage. The ball deflects of the Mountaineer defenders hands, and it falls into the waiting hands of Worthy.

It remains to be seen whether Card plays a significant amount of snaps this week as Steve Sarkisian called the Longhorn quarterback room the healthiest it’s been all year. That includes Ewers, who was the starter prior to a non-throwing shoulder injury.

If somehow Ewers were not able to go or Sarkisian chose to start Card, the junior from Lake Travis is coming off of his best performance as a Longhorn with several quality throws to all levels.