Longhorn Star RB, CB Ruled Out For WVU Game

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – In a battle of the 4-6 Big 12 teams, the Mountaineers and Longhorns will clash at Milan Puskar Stadium on Nov. 20.

WVU hasn’t won against the University of Texas since 2018, but the tables may turn this weekend. Brian Davis, of the Austin American Statesman, reported that Texas will be down not only cornerback Josh Thompson, but also running back Bijan Robinson this Saturday.

Thompson is ruled out for the rest of the season with a fractured fibula. Through 45 career games as a Longhorn, the senior has registered 109 total tackles (79 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, seven pass break-ups, a pair of interceptions, and a fumble recovery. This season alone, he ranked as Texas’ most efficient defensive back, tallying 23 tackles, two pass break-ups, and one interception which he returned for a touchdown.

Texas CB Josh Thompson is also out the rest of the season with a fractured fibula, per Sark.

— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) November 15, 2021

Thompson will be joined on the bench by star running back, sophomore Bijan Robinson.

Texas RB Bijan Robinson has a dislocated elbow and will be out the rest of the season, per Sark.

— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) November 15, 2021

This is a huge loss to head coach Steve Sarkisian. The running back leads the team with 11 rushing touchdowns, enough to tie him with WVU’s Leddie Brown and eight others for No. 23 in the country. Those 11, plus another four passing, leave him tied for No. 11 nationally in total touchdowns and third in the Big 12 in touchdown scoring. Fifteen touchdowns also help lead the Texas Longhorns to No. 13 in the nation in scoring offense. Robinson is attributed to an astounding 30 percent of the season’s scores.

Per game, Robinson is now a gaping hole in offensive coordinator Kyle Flood’s tactic. Robinson has racked up 1,127 rushing yards, which ranks No. 9 in the nation and third in the Big 12. Through 10 games, he also ranks No. 9 in the nation in yards per game (112.7) and No. 33 in rush yards per carry (5.78). He will most likely be replaced by junior Keilan Robinson, who has 194 rushing yards on 27 attempts for two touchdowns this season. The latter Robinson will enter Morgantown fresh off the COVID-19 reserve list.