Texas’s Bijan Robinson Carried Ball Around Campus After Fumble vs. Texas Tech

The Longhorns running back adopted a practice method suggested by his position coach, Tashard Choice.
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Texas running back Bijan Robinson coughed up a fumble on the first play of overtime during Saturday’s game against Texas Tech, allowing the Red Raiders to claim a 37–34 win with a field goal on the ensuing possession. 

After making the critical mistake, the star ball-carrier has decided to go to extreme lengths to prevent the error from happening again. 

In an interview with KVUE News, Robinson said he carried a football around campus on Monday to work on his ball security. He explained that teammates, and even a regular student, attempted to knock the ball loose when they came across the third-year tailback.

Robinson revealed that Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice encouraged him to employ the unique practice method so that he could feel more comfortable carrying the ball.

“I have a football in my backpack, so I’ve been walking around with a football in both hands wherever I go,” Robinson told KVUE on Monday. “Coach [Tashard] Choice said, ‘Just do it. Make it muscle memory. Just fix it and just learn it.’”

The fumble marred an otherwise sensational game for Robinson, who’s been a standout of the Texas offense so far this season. He recorded 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. 

A first-team All-Big 12 honoree in 2021, Robinson has picked up right where he left off as a sophomore. In four games this season, the junior has rushed for 412 yards and seven touchdowns, in addition to amassing 154 receiving yards and one touchdown catch.

Robinson will be able to put his unorthodox practice method to the test this weekend when Texas attempts to rebound against visiting West Virginia. The Big 12 game is scheduled to kick off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. 

More College Football:

Longhorns Country: Kickoff Time Announced for Red River Rivalry Game

For more Texas coverage, go to Longhorns Country. 


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Zach Koons
ZACH KOONS

Zach Koons is a programming editor at Sports Illustrated who frequently writes about Formula One. He joined SI as a breaking/trending news writer in February 2022 before joining the programming team in 2023. Koons previously worked at The Spun and interned for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He currently hosts the "Bleav in Northwestern" podcast and received a bachelor's in journalism from Northwestern University.