Longhorns want to get Gray, Monroe more touches

The Texas Longhorns have an extra week to devise a plan to get the ball in the hands of tailbacks Johnathan Gray and D.J. Monroe more often. 

Gray is third on the team with 21 carries for 89 yards (4.2 yard average), though his work has come mostly in the fourth quarters of blowouts. 

Head coach Mack Brown said he chose to limit Gray early on against Mississippi last Saturday because a miscue by the freshman could have swung momentum in the favor of the Rebels. Still, Texas wants to see more from the former Aledo High School star and that could come as early as Sept. 29 against Oklahoma State. 

"But we think Johnathan Gray has gotten enough carries where he's ready to go in early," Brown said. 

Sophomore Malcolm Brown leads Texas with 238 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 37 carries. Joe Bergeron has also rushed 37 times for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Bergeron appeared to injury his shoulder against Ole Miss and was limited in practice this week. If Bergeron is limited against Oklahoma State, that could result in more touches for Gray and senior D.J. Monroe. 

Monroe has scored a touchdown in each game this season for Texas (3-0) and he's done so on just eight carries.  

"We'll probably get the ball more to D.J. because he's running the ball harder than he's ever run," Brown said. "He deserves more touches."

The Longhorns averaged 514.3 yards of total offense over their first three games and outscored opponents 148-48. So far, sharing the ball has brought success. 

"Everybody would like to carry the ball, but we have a lot of explosive players on the team," Monroe said. "When your number is called, you go and do what you do and then you come out. That is how we look at it."

By Austin Laymance/Special to the Star-Telegram