Steve Sarkisian: Hudson Card not overconfident following first victory

After beating a ranked opponent in his first start, freshman Texas Longhorns quarterback Hudson Card very well could have let the attention and hype get to his head, but that’s not Card’s demeanor according to head coach Steve Sarkisian.

“I don’t think he’s walking around like he’s big man on campus,” Sarkisian said via Austin-American Statesman’s Brian Davis. “That’s just not his demeanor. But I’m sure internally that had to feel pretty good for him.”

Hudson Card and the Longhorns impressed in their season opening 38-18 win over No. 23 Louisiana. In the win, Card finished 14-of-21 passing for 224 yards and two touchdowns, adding another touchdown on the ground.

This isn’t the first time Sarkisian has complimented his starting quarterback’s demeanor.

“I think that’s who he is,” Sarkisian told reporters during a Monday press conference on how Card will handle the upcoming road test against Arkansas. “I think he’s got an even-keeled demeanor. Next is going on the road and dealing with that opponent and hostile environment. We’re going to do everything we can to put him in the best position to succeed.”

Hudson Card and the Longhorns will face off against Arkansas in front of a sold-out Razorback Stadium. Saturday will be Arkansas’ first sell-out game since the 2017 season against TCU.

Hudson Card and Casey Thompson split playing time

Hudson Card was announced as the starting quarterback over Casey Thompson, after a quarterback battle that ran all offseason. 

Thompson played on Saturday, entering the game in the third quarter when Texas was leading 28-12. Thompson went 4-of-5 for 41 yards and a touchdown. 

Sarkisian said his plan all along was to put Thompson in toward the end of the game. 

“It wasn’t gut feeling,” Sarkisian said after the game on Saturday. “It was just kind of when was the right time to do it. Getting Casey in there around the middle of the third quarter and letting him play about a quarter-and-a-half of football. Hudson got two-and-a-half quarters. That’s big for us. Neither guy has a lot of experience. So for them to get that opportunity is gonna be big for us moving forward as a team. All in all, it was effective. Those two guys played pretty efficiently.”

Texas revealed earlier last week that though Hudson Card would start against Louisiana, Thompson would still get a chance to play. Card and Thomspon will both play against Arkansas, Sarkisian said

Texas faces Arkansas on Saturday at 6 p.m. EST in Fayetteville, Arkansas.