Texas RB Jaydon Blue bounces back physically, mentally after off week and ready for Oklahoma

Jaydon Blue wants everyone to know he’s been ultra-focused on holding on to the football after his two fumbles against Mississippi State.

The Texas running back has been candid and professional about owning his mistakes and moving on. No. 1 Texas (5-0, 1-0 SEC) needs its top running back to keep ball security top of mind going into the Red River rivalry matchup against No. 18 Oklahoma.

“Yeah, that was a big emphasis (during the off week) to make sure that I get those things fixed going into the next few games,” Blue said. “I know in order to be successful like I want to, I have to hold on to the ball."

What can a running back do to emphasize that?

“Naturally, when you’re a back and you fumble twice in that game, that’s your instinct to carry a ball around that week,” Blue said. “But I did a pretty good job of holding on to it today (at practice), and I make sure it's a big emphasis for me.”

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Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has been instrumental in helping players move past their mistakes and creating teachable moments. Take right tackle Cam Williams, for example. Williams had three penalties in the first quarter against Michigan. But Williams bounced back and is enjoying a tremendous season.

Sarkisian was hard on backup quarterback Arch Manning during his two starts. Manning was exceptional on deep throws and decision making, but the coach still chewed on him late in the fourth quarter against Louisiana-Monroe.

The Texas coaching staff wants players to learn how to be accountable and adapt. Can you, as a player, take hard coaching? Blue is no exception.

Still, the Horns do have options should the problem crop up again. Quintrevion Wisner or Jerrick Gibson are viable options if Blue can’t secure the football against Oklahoma (4-1, 0-1 SEC) or anyone else for that matter.

Blue played in last year’s game but didn’t have a carry. “I’m excited,” he said. “I know how big this game is with the rivalry that these two teams have in the past. I’m just focused on getting better and just staying focused on today.”

Healthy competition throughout the entire season is what may push the Horns to a championship level. To hear Sarkisian tell it, Blue and Wisner are still his likely top two choices in the backfield.

“I thought they had a good week,” Sarkisian said. “I thought Jaydon practiced really well. I thought never mind the ball, the guy’s coming off an ankle injury and sometimes you’re limited in practice leading up to a game. But he looks really healthy. He's practicing fast. Feel very comfortable with him.

“Both those guys are going to play in the game, and I feel comfortable with either one of them in the game that we can execute and do things that are really high level.”