In news that sadly isn’t too surprising, Texas officially ruled quarterback David Ash out for the remainder of the 2013 season on Monday (via the Austin American-Statesman). Ash suffered a concussion Sept. 7 against BYU, returned Sept. 21 at Kansas State but left that game after his symptoms reoccurred.
Ash, a junior, threw for 760 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions in three games for the Longhorns this year. He’s expected back for spring practice and will apply for a medical redshirt, which if granted would leave him with two more years of eligibility.
Assuming his concussion symptoms indeed clear up, Ash will have to fend off current freshman Tyrone Swoopes for the starting gig in Austin. We don’t know how Mack Brown/Texas’ next coach will handicap that battle, though if Ash does wind up starting the next two seasons it’ll make Brown’s decision to burn Swoopes’ redshirt earlier this year look a little more puzzling.
In relief of Ash, senior Case McCoy has completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 1,692 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. Against Oklahoma State McCoy threw three picks with no touchdowns, likely dashing Texas’ chances of winning the Big 12.