Iowa State’s season turned around when true freshman quarterback Brock Purdy was handed the starting job. Texas’ season has turned special because sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger has kept the starting job.
The Cyclones visit Austin on Saturday night in a virtual eliminator for the Big 12 Championship Game. And the quarterbacks are a big reason why both teams have had breakout seasons after slow starts.
Ehlinger has orchestrated game-winning drives against OU and Texas Tech and has given the Longhorns continuity at football’s most critical position. Until this season, Texas had sifted through a new quarterback and a new offensive system seemingly every season.