All Matthew Caldwell does is stay ready.
The well-traveled Texas Longhorns redshirt senior quarterback has attempted two passes in SEC play while replacing redshirt sophomore starter Arch Manning.
The first went for a 26-yard gain as the Horns attempted to mount a comeback that fell short against the Gators in The Swamp when Manning’s helmet was knocked off, necessitating a play on the sidelines.
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The second went for a 10-yard touchdown to sophomore wide receiver Emmett Mosley on the opening possession of overtime in Saturday’s 45-38 win over Mississippi State in Starkville.
The extended catch by Mosley that was initially ruled an incompletion before the review booth saw that the Stanford transfer got one foot down for the go-ahead score deserves plaudits as part of a breakout performance that featured five catches for 53 yards and two touchdowns, Mosley’s first scores for Texas.
What deserves more plaudits? The ability of Caldwell to come into the game in such a critical moment and have the confidence and understanding of the offense to call an audible at the line of scrimmage on his touchdown throw.
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The run-pass option called by Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was tagged as a fade route by Caldwell at the line of scrimmage and Mosley showcased his route-running precision in getting a clean outside release to create the separation for Caldwell to deliver the pass just well enough to score the touchdown.
Not bad for a quarterback who started off at Jacksonville State before transferring to Gardner-Webb and Troy, doing enough to land at Texas when Sarkisian and his staff wanted to add more experience to the quarterback room during the spring transfer window.
Now Caldwell has a place in school history thanks to his 10th career pass for the Longhorns.
