Inside Texas Today: A look back at recent Orange-White Games

Welcome to Inside Texas Today! Every weekday, Inside Texas Today will provide the latest from around the Forty Acres. This morning, a look at recent Texas Longhorns Orange-White Games, from the beginning of the Tom Herman era, through Steve Sarkisian’s debut.

Here’s the Thursday, April 21, 2022 edition.

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Looking back, looking forward

The Texas Longhorns’ Orange-White Game is scheduled for this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. It will be free to attend, and will be the pinnacle of the Made in Austin Weekend that includes Longhorn Run, Lion King at the Bass Concert Hall, the actual spring game, and a Bon Jovi concert at the Moody Center.

It may not look like a classic “game,” considering limited depth along the offensive line and at wide receiver. Still, it’ll be the public’s first look at several transfers like Quinn Ewers, Isaiah Neyor, Jahleel Billingsley, and Ryan Watts.

Those types of storylines are common for spring games. Even with inside information provided by Inside Texas, some prefer to see things with their own eyes. It can be telling, but it can be also be a one-off, as recent spring games suggest.

2017

In the first public viewing of Tom Herman’s program, the Longhorn faithful also were able to look at Sam Ehlinger for the first time. He was in the midst of a quarterback competition with Shane Buechele, the incumbent starter from 2016.

Buechele passed for 369 yards and two touchdowns, while Ehlinger was 10-of-31 for 148 yards and a score. Collin Johnson had 117 yards on two catches, but despite those gaudy offensive stats, the game came down… ahem… “to the final play.”

“Tied” 51-51 in a modified scoring system, Herman placed the ball at the two-yard-line. If the offense scored, the White team won. If the defense made a stop, the Orange team won. Toneil Carter was stuffed to give White the win and kickoff Herman’s tenure.

2018

Due to limited depth along the offensive line, both teams essentially had to share members of the offensive line group during the course of the scrimmage. Buechele and Ehlinger were on separate teams, as were Cameron Rising and Casey Thompson.

The White team won 23-13 thanks to solid defense, with Jeffrey McCulloch pacing the defensive effort with three of the squad’s six sacks.

Lil’Jordan Humphrey had seven receptions for 100 yards and added two rushing touchdowns. Johnson added six catches for 91 yards.

2019

“How will they pass if it’s windy?” was the biggest question that came from this Spring Game. Tremendous gusts throughout Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium made passing near impossible. Quarterbacks were 24-of-54 for 152 yards passing and two interceptions with no touchdowns.

Both squads combined for just 284 total yards.

Joseph Ossai, Ayodele Adeoye, Ta’Quon Graham, Marcus Tillman, DeMarvion Overshown, and walk-ons Russell Hine, Mason Ramirez, and Cort Jaquess all netted sacks. McCulloch and Kobe Boyce nabbed interceptions.

2020

The spring game was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Texas athletic department celebrating the weekend virtually.

The highlight? Head baseball coach David Pierce jumping into his pool in full uniform.

2021

The first spring game of the Steve Sarkisian era was one of the last events marked by pandemic restrictions, hinting at the eventual full return in the fall.

But the main story was watching who would put their best foot forward to succeed Ehlinger as Texas’ starting quarterback. Thompson and Hudson Card started on either squad, Thompson mostly with the first team.

He threw an interception to D’Shawn Jamison that was returned for six points, but finished 23-of-42 for 242 yards. Card was 15-for-25 for 168 yards, including a six-yard strike to Marcus Washington for a score.

Cameron Dicker was the star of the show, hitting field goals of 58, 39, 28, and 24 yards. Bijan Robinson had 10 carries for 54 yards and a score, the only touchdown of the day for the Orange team. White took the contest, 20-12