Ehlinger opened the season with a record-setting first half, establishing Texas records for a single half completing 25-of-33 passes for 426 passing yards and five passing touchdowns to lead No. 14 Texas (1-0, 0-0) to a 59-3 win over UTEP at home in Austin.  

The Longhorns scored touchdowns on five of their first six possessions. A team captain for the second consecutive season, Ehlinger led the Longhorns to 45 points in the first half, Texas’ best first-half output since scoring 47 points against UTEP in 2009. The Texas quarterback was also named the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, announced in 2012 by the Tyler Chamber and SPORTyler, recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community, and tenacity; specifically tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.

In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas High School and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or four year D1 Texas college.