Halftime observations about Jaydon Blue's injury as Texas football holds 24-3 lead over Michigan

Sure, Saturday’s clash of epic helmets game was big. The Texas Longhorns offense came out moving well, and the Michigan Wolverines just couldn't get anything going on the ground.

How well? Texas was up 24-3 at the break after going 8-for-10 on third down and, frankly, should have been leading by more. One touchdown was taken off the board via holding, and the offense got to the Michigan 8 before setting for another field goal.

But Jaydon Blue’s injury status in the first quarter had Texas fans on alert.

Blue hopped off the field during the Horns’ second drive, which ended with Gunnar Helm’s touchdown catch. The Longhorns are already thin at that position, having lost two running backs during training camp. There’s too much season left to be this thin at running back.

But Blue didn't look like he was having any problems with a 23-yard gainer late in the first half. That play

As Texas started a drive early in the third quarter, UT radio analyst Roger Wallace reported that Blue did not have his helmet, a sign trainers were not letting him go back into the game.

So what did Texas coach Steve Sarkisian do? He just dialed up multiple plays for backups Quintrevion Wisner and Jerrick Gibson.

With a dose of deliberate play-calling, Sarkisian went to Wisner and Gibson multiple times on a 12-play, 76 yard drive that gave Texas an 14-0 lead.

It was a huge signal that Texas’ offensive line was ready to maul the Wolverines up front and that Sarkisian had huge confidence in the younger running backs. But Blue came back onto the field with 3:28 remaining in the second quarter.

Texas starts jittery with three penalties, missed FG

All you needed to know about Sarkisian’s mindset came at the kickoff. Texas won the toss and wanted the ball. Normally, the Longhorns defer but not this time. Sarkisian wanted to put his best unit on the field from the get-go.

Quarterback Quinn Ewers didn’t appear to have problems with the crowd noise, but right tackle Cam Williams did. He had two false start penalties on the drive as Texas found some early momentum. Isaiah Bond’s 33-yard catch flipped the field as Texas marched to the Michigan 24.

Ewers then found DeAndre Moore in the end zone for what would have been his first touchdown catch of the season. The 24-yard score was called back, though, as Williams was flagged for holding. Then, kicker Bert Auburn missed a 43-yard field goal.

Not the best start for Williams and the Horns, but at Texas was moving the chains.

Jaydon Blue hops off the field as Texas goes up 7-0

The Texas defense forced a three-and-out as it was Michigan quarterback Davis Warren that looked out of sorts with a bad throw on third down. Ewers took over and wasted little time. In six plays, the Horns moved 56 yards and Ewers found tight end Gunnar Helm for a 21-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone.

But what should concern Texas fans was running back Jaydon Blue hopping off the field on one leg during that drive. He disappeared into the medical tent for treatment after Texas went up 7-0.

Not long after the TV timeout, Blue emerged and was seen running on the sideline. But it was clear he was in real pain.

Longhorns keep mashing with backup RBs

As Texas started a drive early in the second quarter, UT radio analyst Roger Wallace reported that Blue did not have his helmet, a sign trainers were not letting him go back into the game.

So what did Texas coach Steve Sarkisian do? He just dialed up multiple plays for backups Quintrevion Wisner and Jerrick Gibson.

With a dose of deliberate play-calling, Sarkisian went to Wisner and Gibson multiple times on a 12-play, 76 yard drive that gave Texas an 14-0 lead.

It was a huge signal that Texas’ offensive line was ready to maul the Wolverines up front and that Sarkisian had huge confidence in the younger running backs.