NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma cornerback Tre Brown’s sack of Sam Ehlinger resulted in a safety during last year’s Big 12 title game, and arguably became OU’s best defensive highlight of last season.

“I was like, wow I really sacked this guy? He’s like 240 pounds and I can’t believe I brought him down,” Brown said. “I’m 180 at the time.”

At 6 feet, 3 inches and 230 pounds the Texas quarterback’s size makes him a challenge to bring down. Brown needed a full head of steam to make it happen.

“Let’s say if I stop running and I let up a little bit, I don’t think I would actually have tackled the guy. Because like I said, he’s so big he can run out of anything,” Brown said. “I’ve seen him get out of things with guys who are way bigger than me. If I would have stopped I don’t think that play would even exist.”

This year, QB size is once again part of the OU offense.

Jalen Hurts is 6-2, 218, giving the No. 6-ranked Sooners one of their biggest signal-callers in recent memory. Kyler Murray (5-10, 192) and Baker Mayfield (6-1, 220) were questioned because of their size. Blake Bell in 2013 (6-6, 252) has held the standard for bigger starting QBs in OU’s recent history.

Like Bell, whose goal-line packages earned the moniker “Belldozer,” Hurts is effective from close range where play-calling is affected by shrunken field length.

Of his Hurts’ seven rushing TDs this season, six have come from inside or from the 5-yard line.

“It helps. It’s an added weapon,” OU coach Lincoln Riley said. “It’s just different with the guy that you have back there. But certainly, he provides some opportunities down there that are in some ways different than what we’ve had.”

Hurts and Ehlinger, who are the Big 12’s second- and third-leading passers, respectively, are more likely to shred opponents with their arms. Hurts has thrown for 1,523 yards and 14 touchdowns on 109 attempts. Ehlinger has thrown for 1,448 yards and 17 TDs on 173 attempts.

But entering the week, Hurts is the Big 12’s third-leading rusher with 499 yards and 7 TDs.

For the No. 11-ranked Longhorns, Ehlinger has about half of Hurts’ yardage and hasn’t devastated teams inside the 5-yard line like his counterpart, scoring just once from there this season. In two games against OU in 2018, however, he scored three rushing TDs from 5 yards out or less.

“Some guys have the size. It’s one thing to say they have size. There are other guys who are big,” OU defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said. “But [Ehlinger] has a unique ability to find enough of a crease, then kind of create the pile moving forward. It’s why they’re good at what they do and why they’ve had so much success.”

As Brown described, wrapping up big QBs won’t be easy in the Red River Shootout.

“You’re gonna feel it when you tackle Sam Ehlinger, just like you’re gonna feel it when you tackle Jalen Hurts. You can use him in short-yardage and goal-line when the box is so compact and the defense,” Texas coach Tom Herman said. “Guys kind of bounce off of him at times when he’s in the open field or even in the pocket.”

Plus, giving QBs the ball provides more protection. Several of Hurts’ scores have resulted in him pushing through a pile of offensive linemen and additional blockers.

Last week against Kansas, he also ran in a short touchdown untouched while running the option. The options are plenty.

“Just feel like it’s just another bullet that you can fire at ’em that you maybe not always had,” Riley said. “It’s been good here for us so far.”

OU vs. Texas

When: 11 a.m. Saturday

Place: Cotton Bowl | Dallas

Records: AP No. 6 OU (5-0, 2-0 Big 12); AP No. 11 Texas (4-1, 2-0)

Line: OU (-10.5)

TV: FOX