Steve Sarkisian right to name Hudson Card starting QB and more takeaways from Texas beating UL

The Texas Longhorns opened up their season with a 38-18 victory over the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on Saturday in the first game of the Steve Sarkisian era.

Saturday began a new era for the Texas Longhorns. This was the first season without Sam Ehlinger starting under center and it was the debut game for new head coach Steve Sarkisian. For the opening game of the season, the Longhorns certainly lived up to the hype.

Texas defeated the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 38-18 to secure their very first win of the season. After holding a narrow 14-6 lead entering halftime, the Longhorns pulled away from the Ragin’ Cajuns to secure their 1-0 record to start the season.

4 biggest takeaways from Texas’ opening week win over Louisiana

4. Is Jordan Whittington’s 100-yard performance a sign of things to come?

Jordan Whittington committed to the Longhorns football program as a five-star recruit. In his firs two seasons, Whttington has never cleared the 100-yard receiving total in a game. That all changed after Saturday’s performance.

Whittington caught seven passes from both Hudson Card and Casey Thompson for 113 yards and a touchdown, which occurred in the third quarter.

3. Bijan Robinson is the best Texas running back since Ricky Williams

It is hard to look past the performance of Texas’ sophomore running back Bijan Robinson, who may not only be the best running back the program has ever seen since Ricky Williams, but may very well be the best in the entire country.

Robinson not only has great rushing skills, but he has smooth route-running abilities. He showcased just that at the expense of Louisiana. The sophomore rushed for 103 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries, while hauling in four passes for 73 yards and a score.

Every team on Texas’ schedule is going to have to come up with a game plan to stop Robinson. To that we say, good luck.

2. Texas’ 3rd down defense looks like it can be special

We did not forget about the Longhorns defense, who showed that they can be a pain for the opposing offense. Just ask Louisiana that, especially when trying to convert on third down situations.

The Ragin’ Cajuns had 13 third down plays throughout Saturday’s contest, and they were only able to gain first downs on four of them. That should definitely raise the eyebrows of those who have to face the Longhorns later this season. Sure, Louisiana did convert on all three fourth-down situations, but Texas’ defense certainly looks exiting the first week of the 2021 season.

1. Steve Sarkisian made the right call naming Hudson Card the starting quarterback over Casey Thompson

Once Sam Ehlinger left Austin for the NFL Draft, where he was selected in the sixth-round by the Indianapolis Colts, everyone was wondering who would succeed him at quarterback. This was the first big decision for Sarkisian as the sideline boss of Texas, as Card and Thompson were both competing throughout camp this offseason.

If this game proved anything, it is that Sarkisian made the right call naming Card the starting signal caller for the Longhorns.

Card truly did it all in his first day as the Longhorns starter. He was able to lead long drives and capitalize in the end zone, he was accurate with his passes, and he even showed off his athleticism on the run.

In his first start, Card completed 14-of-21 pass attempts for 224 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for a score on his feet.

Sarkisian’s and Card’s debuts could not have gone any better. Now, they will pivot to face the Arkansas Razorbacks.

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