Freshman QB Shane Buechele starts for Texas against Notre Dame

AUSTIN — Texas has hung its hopes, at least for now, on a true freshman quarterback.

Shane Buechele started for the Longhorns ahead of senior Tyrone Swoopes. The former five-star recruit from Arlington, Texas, had enrolled last January and went through spring practice, exciting fans with a strong performance in a spring game that was cut short by bad weather.

Texas coach Charlie Strong had declined to announce a starter, saying everyone — including Notre Dame — would know when he took the field.

Inconsistent quarterback play has been a significant factor in the program’s struggles over the last few years. This season is seen as critical to Strong’s hopes of continuing as coach.

Buechele is the first true freshman to start for Texas at QB since Bobby Layne in 1944.

On Texas' first series, Buechele drove the Longhorns down the field and tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Armanti Foreman to even the score 7-7. The scoring drive was 11 plays in 2:58.

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