The Texas defense is in for a big challenge on Saturday when it goes up against Patrick Mahomes and Texas Tech.
With Mahomes at quarterback, Tech boasts the top passing offense in the country at 500.6 yards per game, more than 120 yards better than any other team (Louisiana Tech is second at 376 ypg). The Texas defense has struggled for much of the year, but Longhorns defensive end Breckyn Hager has a plan to potentially slow down the Red Raiders.
“Injure that quarterback.”
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Hager relayed the sentiment multiple times.
? on Tech/OU: "When you see a game that has 1500 yards of total offense & 120+ points, as a defensive player how does that make you feel?" pic.twitter.com/D1lyZrlVkj
— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) October 31, 2016
Reporter: "Against Kansas State you said the defensive mentality was to 'kill everything', what's the mentality of this game?" pic.twitter.com/RGx4sEFBmz
— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) October 31, 2016
Hager’s comments quickly made the rounds on Twitter and even caught the attention of Mahomes’ father.
Are you kidding meRT @RickyDoyle: Hager on the Texas D's mission this week: "Injure that quarterback."
— pat mahomes (@PMahomes) October 31, 2016
It seems like Hager may not have quite realized what he was saying. A reporter tracked him down later in the afternoon and the sophomore was apologetic.
Just saw Breckyn Hager outside the stadium and he was very apologetic about his Mahomes comments. Said he didn't mean "injure" literally.
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) October 31, 2016
Hager later issued a formal apology alongside a statement from head coach Charlie Strong.
Full statements from Texas DE Breckyn Hager, coach Charlie Strong. pic.twitter.com/zk6YjvJPfy
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) October 31, 2016
Though UT has given up a lot of yards and points this season, the defense has been able to get plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Longhorns are tied for second in the nation with 31 sacks with Hager leading the team with five.
Mahomes leads the nation with 3,519 yards throwing and is tied for third with 28 touchdowns. Mahomes appeared to be favoring his previously injured shoulder late in TTU’s win over TCU on Saturday, but coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters Monday that his quarterback is “good.”
Kingsbury on Mahomes' shoulder: "He's good. He is the best he has been. He sounds like he should be able to practice the whole week."
— RaiderPower.com (@RaiderPower2) October 31, 2016
The Longhorns and Red Raiders, both 4-4, will kick off from Lubbock at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday. Perhaps Hager’s comments will add a bit of juice to this matchup.
For more Texas news, visit Orangebloods.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
