High-powered Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the focus of the Texas defense this week, perhaps to an unhealthy extent.
Longhorns defensive end Breckyn Hager told reporters Monday that the goal Saturday is simple — "injure that quarterback" — before apologizing for the remark later in the day following a meeting with coach Charlie Strong.MORE: Week 10 bowl projections
Breckyn Hager says multiple times that they want to "injure that quarterback". Trying not to take this out of context...don't think we are.
— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) October 31, 2016
Hager also said the Longhorns "should be going to bed dreaming about playing Mahomes this week," but that notion is something quite a bit different than hinting at taking a player out — a statement that caught the attention of Mahomes' father Pat, a former major-league pitcher.
The elder Mahomes retweeted Hager's quote Monday, adding, "Are you kidding me".
Are you kidding meRT @RickyDoyle: Hager on the Texas D's mission this week: "Injure that quarterback."
— pat mahomes (@PMahomes) October 31, 2016
It didn't take long for Texas to try and backpedal from the controversy created by Hager's original comments. By Monday afternoon, Hager and Strong had released statements on the matter emphasizing that the player meant no ill will toward Mahomes. Hager apologized for his remarks.
"I play hard and it's our team's goal to get pressure on the quarterback, hit him and disrupt the offense," Hager's statement read in part. "When I go out there I want to play my most aggressive game, but I'm not trying to do anything to physically injure someone. I have too much respect for Patrick Mahomes and every quarterback I play against ever to do that."
Full statements from Texas DE Breckyn Hager, coach Charlie Strong. pic.twitter.com/zk6YjvJPfy
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) October 31, 2016
Patrick Mahomes put up eye-popping numbers last season (4,653 yards, 36 touchdowns) and has been even more efficient this year with 3,519 yards and 28 TDs through eight games while throwing just seven interceptions after he had 15 in 2015. Mahomes is dangerous on the ground, too; he already has matched last season's total of 10 rushing touchdowns.
With numbers like that, Mahomes has earned the attention of everyone in the Big 12, for better or for worse.
