WATCH: Texas Longhorns QB Maalik Murphy Tosses First-Career TD Pass vs. BYU Cougars

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Longhorns quarterback Maalik Murphy is making his first-career collegiate start on Saturday against the BYU Cougars in Austin.

And in place of the injured Quinn Ewers, Murphy started off a bit rocky with a pair of turnovers, but made up for it late in the first half with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Adonai Mitchell to give Texas a 21-3 lead headed into halftime.

Murphy finished the first half 10 of 15 passing for 103 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Take a look at the toucdown:

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has continued to praise Murphy, and said previously that "there's not a throw that he can't make."

“Maalik’s a natural passer,” Sarkisian said. “He throws a very beautiful ball. I think there’s not a throw that he can’t make. I think he’s got very good leadership qualities. I think the guys like playing with Maalik and that’s a positive as a quarterback. As a quarterback, you’re only as good as the guys around you.”

While Murphy's skill level has been on display in front of his teammates at practice, Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford says that there's a "swag" to him as well.

"That's that Cali swag," Ford said Monday when referring to Murphy's West Coast music choice in the locker room. "I keep saying that swag. I think for Maalik, he has a ton of confidence. I don't think people understand, especially at quarterback, the ability to not let one bad play or even a couple bad plays really kind of affect how he's going to finish the game."