I was probably as adamant as anyone in my support for Buechele to remain the starter after the USC game. One reason for the support was Shane's success last season (despite the lack of wins). We had a multitude of issues last year that contributed to our poor performance but I believe Shane had a very good season especially as a Freshman.
The second reason for my support was Sam's performance against USC. Outside of the last drive of the game he did not show me anything that made me believe he was a better QB right now. I saw potential and confidence but I didn't see a guy who was ready to take the reigns "full time". To be honest I was nervous or frustrated most of the game.
When Shane came back against Iowa State I saw a lot of the things that I had seen the season before. He was accurate with his throws, he made good decisions, and he did everything he could to try and win the game. We didn't set the world on fire but that was ok. We had a good defense and an offense that could score enough in a slugfest to win. I was very disheartened to hear he was "banged up" and not able to play against Kansas State. I still thought we could win but we would need to rely on our defense to keep us close.
On our first possession against K State I was expecting a heavy dose of ground and pound. I assumed we would attempt to establish a running game to use the clock for our advantage and keep Sam in manageable situations. When I saw Sam roll out on the first play from scrimmage I thought "what the
#@&$ are we doing". Sam slung the ball deep to a receiver that had at least a step on the defender and all my fears came true. Idiot Beck calling that freaking play and our "hot shot" freshman QB underthrows it for a pick. I was livid. I wanted to get on line and tell all you morons pumping Ehlinger up "I hope your happy!! Your golden boy with the IT factor has already gotten us in trouble". Then K State goes for 10 unanswered, our defense looked hapless and I knew our offense wasn't going to help especially with the back up QB. I was prepared for my weekend to be ruined.
I am so glad I didn't get on the forum and air my grievances. As the game progressed and Sam began making one play after another my mood slowly improved. Instead of thinking "that was lucky" after Sam bought himself some time and completed a pass I started thinking "that was a pretty good play". Then Sam and I both started to get a little more comfortable. I stopped closing my eyes when he threw the ball and he was dealing strikes all over the field to a multitude of weapons. He was moving the chains on designed and impromptu runs. I wasn't watching a good QB that could help us win a slugfest. I was watching a playmaker that could deliver a win even when the defense wasn't at the top of their game. When K State missed their FG in the second OT I had no doubt that we were going to win that game. Its has been many years since I felt that type of confidence in our Horns.
I still believe that Shane had a very good season last year and Sam didn't prove himself against USC. After Saturday night's performance I know that Sam Ehlinger is no longer the QB of the future he is the QB of our present.
I don't have be satisfied with Great Value Twist & Shouts and Dr. Thunder. I'm getting Oreo's and Dr. Pepper!!
"We got ourselves a football player" ~ Doc Hines