It’s easy to play Monday morning quarterback after huge games like the Texas-Washington Sugar Bowl showdown, but one decision by Texas coach Steve Sarkisian had fans befuddled.
The Longhorns deployed veteran running back Keilan Robinson as the team’s kick returner throughout the game. Robinson had returned a kick 95 yards for a touchdown earlier this season against Texas Tech, but may have been a questionable choice to be used in the matchup with Washington thanks to an injury. Robinson was wearing a bulky wrap on his left hand and wrist, with zero use of any of the fingers on his hand. That had the potential to cause problems for Robinson receiving kickoffs, and Washington took advantage.
Especially in the second half, Washington deliberately targeted Robinson with squib kicks, making it more difficult for him to handle the ball off the ground with just one hand to pick it up. The result: multiple bobbled kicks, costing the Longhorns valuable field position. On one fourth quarter kickoff, Robinson mishandled the ball and returned it for just eight yards to the 16 yard line.
is a 1-handed returner the best option? pic.twitter.com/wncu6Eyefz
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 2, 2024
Those yards likely weren’t the difference between winning and losing for Texas, but fans still had plenty of questions as to why the Longhorns turned to the injured Robinson in such a key moment.
Why is Keilan returning kicks with one hand?? Come on Sark, I know you’re smarter than that! lol
— University of Tampering (@Doc_Texas) January 2, 2024
Sark has Keilan Robinson returning kickoffs with a cast on pic.twitter.com/S8JXgsxuXj
— cole (@possiblycole) January 2, 2024
Has anyone else noticed that the Texas return guy has a cast on one hand. Why would you have somebody returning kickoffs with one hand 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
— Uncle Cliff 🇺🇸 (@cliff311) January 2, 2024
Wait a second, Texas has a guy returning kicks with a club on one hand? That seems incredibly stupid.
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) January 2, 2024
Texas having returns done by a guy that can only hold the ball with one hand
— David (@DavidCBets) January 2, 2024
Absolute genius guys
3 separate times I wrote down in my notes:
— Landon Holifield ✭ (@TheLandoShow) January 2, 2024
“A man in an arm cast is deep to return”
Maybe that’s not quite at the top of #Texas’ list of mistakes… but it’s somethin. pic.twitter.com/4dsipN7Qs3
