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Charlie Strong: Starting QB David Ash out against BYU

Texas head coach Charlie Strong says his starting quarterback, David Ash, will not be available this weekend for a home game against BYU. Ash apparently took a hit in the first quarter against North Texas on Saturday that raised a caution flag later that night. Sophomore Tyrone Swoopes will now be expected to be the starting quarterback for Texas.

Charlie Strong said David Ash took the hit in the first quarter, appeared fine then trainers got late-night phone call.

— Chuck Carlton (@ChuckCarltonDMN) September 1, 2014

Now Texas will be playing its next game without its starting quarterback and starting center. Center Dominic Espinosa suffered a broken ankle in the win over North Texas. He will likely miss the remainder of the regular season for the Longhorns. Strong confirmed Espinosa will require surgery. How long Ash is unavailable remains in question, although head injuries are tricky to predict. Given the history of Ash and head injuries, the margin for error is extremely thin.

Ash missed most of the 2013 season with concussion symptoms and he missed much of the spring with a foot injury. He was medically cleared to participate in football practices and workouts in July. Strong named Ash the starting quarterback a day later.

Ash played the entire game for the Longhorns on Saturday, completing 19 of 34 pass attempts for 190 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for a touchdown.

Texas was blown away, or rather run over, by BYU in Provo, Utah last season. Any hope for revenge may have taken a serious hit with this latest injury news out of Austin.

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