Texas coach Tom Herman addressed the media in his weekly press conference after the Longhorns lost 34-29 to Maryland for the second straight season. Here are some key topics discussed by the second-year Texas coach.

Still no question at quarterback

The start to Sam Ehlinger’s sophomore campaign at quarterback did not go quite as planned. A lethargic start for the offense and two late interceptions played a major role in the Longhorns’ defeat. Yet Herman’s confidence in the young signal caller is unwavering.

“I don’t think now’s the time to [bring in another quarterback],” Herman said. “His errors weren't egregious enough to merit dumping him on the depth chart. If you start doing that, you’re going to start riding a roller coaster.”

However, Herman did address the crucial miscues by Ehlinger down the stretch. In watching film, he told the quarterbacks that “they don’t need to take that chance.”

But save for that one interception, Herman said he was pleased with his performance. Finishing with 263 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, Ehlinger showed improved pocket prescence, something Herman was impressed with.

“That was the most noticeable improvement in his game,” said Herman on Ehlinger’s ability to remain in the pocket. “I thought he was markedly improved in that area.”

Creating a winning culture

For most Texas fans, this season-opening loss to Maryland may draw deep sighs and looks of “here we go again.” Yet Herman is convinced that this year’s team is significantly different, despite the similar week one result.

“Although the outcome is similar to last year’s opener, this one feels much different,” Herman said. “The reason we played so poorly is actually a good reason, because of how close this team has become, how badly they wanted to perform for each other, for the coaches, and the first quarter.”

He said that the team wanted it so badly, they “got in their own way” there early in the first half. They were thinking too much, and it got in the way of simply making plays and focusing on individual assignments.

Despite the loss, he says they continue to have confidence in what this team will be able to accomplish this year.

“All of our long-term goals are still ahead of us,” Hermain said. “This one game will not define us, how we grow from it and how we respond to it will.”

Up tempo offense helped create rhythm

The Longhorns began the game with five punts on their first six possessions. They needed some change of pace to find a rhythm. Herman solved this problem by going uptempo for the seventh drive of the game, a methodical 70-yard scoring drive.

“They were trying to be perfect,” Herman said. “We were ‘paralysis by analysis.' We felt like the best way to get them to stop thinking so much and being so tentative was just go fast and take the thinking out of it for them and just go play, go play, go play.”

The hurry-up offense worked to an extent, as the Longhorns scored 22 unanswered points. When in an offensive funk in the future, look for the no-huddle as Herman’s antidote.