Steve Sarkisian on CJ Baxter: "Fired up for him to go cut it loose this Saturday"
CJ Baxter was the first true freshman to start at running back in his first game as a Longhorn since Ricky Williams in 1995. Baxter displayed some of the elements that made him a five-star back on a 32-yard second-quarter run during his debut, but he was forced to leave the game due to an injury suffered at the end of the play.
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Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian described the injury as a “rib issue that we just wanted to make sure we’re getting checked out” during his postgame press conference on Saturday. On Monday, he said Baxter returned to practice.
During a Thursday Zoom, Sarkisian said he expects to see Baxter on the field in Tuscaloosa, Ala. versus the No. 3 Crimson Tide.
“CJ looked great,” Sarkisian said. “Fired up for him to go cut it loose this Saturday.”
Baxter finished his day versus Rice with 38 yards on five carries, 32 of those yards coming on his final rush.
Those carries were in the confines of the friendly Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. This week, any touches would be made among 100,000+ hostile fans in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Sarkisian believes Baxter is ready for whatever challenge heads this way on Saturday.
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“Everything is a first time for him, obviously,” Sarkisian said. “I don’t have any reason to not think he’s going to go out and just perform and go play. Everything about him, he’s a very even-keeled guy. He’s diligent in his approach to wanting to do things the right way. He’s a physical player. So in the end, my anticipation? He’s going to play.
“I’m sure there’ll be a little bit of a transition maybe early in the game from the speed of the game, the physicality of the game, and, obviously, the environment. But I’m not really concerned about him performing because that’s just who he’s been throughout his time with us.”
Texas rushed 39 times for 158 yards in the win versus Rice, with quarterback Quinn Ewers tallying the only touchdown on the ground. Jaydon Blue led Texas with 10 carries for 55 yards. Jonathon Brooks had 12 carries for 52 yards plus two catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Ewers had eight carries for 12 yards plus his touchdown. Keilan Robinson had one carry for three yards, and Savion Red toted the rock three times for -2 yards.
Texas plays at Alabama with kickoff at 6 p.m. on ESPN this Saturday.
