BREAKING: Texas Coach Steve Sarkisian Reveals Unique Punishment For Running Back Who Fumbled
Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian had little to complain about after his team’s 49-17 Week 11 victory over the Florida Gators, but he did point out one issue on Monday. While addressing the media, Sarkisian mentioned he assigned some “homework” to freshman running back Jerrick Gibson, a former four-star recruit. Despite Gibson’s career-best performance—gaining 100 yards on 16 carries—he fumbled twice, with Texas recovering one and losing the other in the fourth quarter. Rather than handing down a harsh punishment, Sarkisian decided to have Gibson carry a football around campus all day to emphasize ball security. “Today, Jerrick Gibson’s got a football all day on the 40 Acres,” Sarkisian said, as reported by Chip Brown of 247Sports.
Though the approach might seem lighthearted, Sarkisian wants to ensure Gibson is prepared and dependable for crucial moments in the season. The Texas run game has struggled recently, and the team has lost three running backs to season-ending injuries. Gibson will have another chance to test his ball security on Saturday as the Longhorns face off against rival Arkansas in Fayetteville.