On third-and-5 with 11:24 remaining in the fourth quarter of Texas football’s win over Kentucky, Arch Manning faced a one-play encapsulation of what he’s dealt with all season.
Kentucky linebacker Alex Afari Jr. came through the center of the Longhorns’ offensive line untouched on a blitz and hit Manning so hard the quarterback’s left leg came up and kicked Afari in the back of the head from the force of the recoil. Manning, a split second before being flattened by the oncoming train, released a pass over the fingertips of an open Emmett Mosley V, who might have run forever had the ball been on target.
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“We need to play better up front to protect him,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said after the game. “It’s not fun when you’re at quarterback and you’re getting hit.”
Texas Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) celebrates Texas’ Red River Rivalry win with the Golden Hat after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns punter Jack Bouwmeester (19) celebrates winning the Red River Rivalry with the Golden Hat after Texas beat Oklahoma 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns place kicker Will Stone (15) celebrates with the Golden Hat after the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Jelani McDonald (4) celebrates the Texas Longhorns’ Red River Rivalry win with the Golden Hat after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates Texas’ Red River Rivalry win with the Golden Hat after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates after winning the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrate after winning the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Jonah Williams (9) celebrates Texas’ Red River Rivalry win after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith (26) celebrates with the Golden Hat after the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Trevor Goosby (74) celebrates with the Golden Hat after the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates Texas’ Red River Rivalry win with the Golden Hat after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) embraces defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) as they celebrates Texas’ Red River Rivalry win after the Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) hands the ball off to Texas Longhorns running back James Simon (31) in the third quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) catches a pass in the end zone to score the first touchdown of the game in the third quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbot hands Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) The Governor’s Cup Trophy after Texas beat Oklahoma 23-6 in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) carries the ball for a first down in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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The Texas defense bring down Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (5) in the first quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Niblett (21) returns the ball off a punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws a pass in the second quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (1) goes to tackle Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) in the second quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Brad Spence (14) taunts Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas fans cheer for their team in the first half of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) carries the ball out of trouble as Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) and defensive back Gentry Williams (9) chase in the second quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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The Oklahoma defense sack Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) in the first quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas fans cheer for their team in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas scores the extra point in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) catches a snap in the third quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) brings Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Keontez Lewis (9) down out of the air as he catches the ball in the first quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian gets off the bus ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) arrives at the stadium for the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas fan Bill Melot, from Austin, enjoys a turkey leg ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas fans Heather and Garrison Ray, from Jarrell, enjoy a ride at the Texas State Fair ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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A young Texas fan hoists a large prize while exploring the Texas State Fair ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Fan Avery, 6, slides down the giant slide at the Texas State Fair ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) runs the ball under pressure from Oklahoma defense in the second quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) carries the ball after making an interception for Texas in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) celebrates after making an interception for Texas in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Renee Richmond rides the log flume ride with Eve and Sarah Mills at the Texas State Fair ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas fans David, Briana and Brian Morales, from Corpus Christi, play the ring toss at the Texas State Fair ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) celebrates as the game draws to a close in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas mascot Bevo walks across the Cotton Bowl to his pen ahead of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Liona Lefau (18) wears a lei to celebrate winning the Red River Rivalry, beating Oklahoma 23-6 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Xavier Filsaime (17) argues with Oklahoma players during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (5) drops a pass in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) is sacked in the fourth quarter of the Red River Rivalry, as the Sooners play the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 11, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) runs the ball during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) intercepts a pass during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) talks to his team during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Ryan Niblett (21) returns a kick during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (1) celebrates a sack during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Brad Spence (14) celebrates a sack during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (1) sacks Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) during the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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The Texas Longhorns take the field ahead of the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners running back Tory Blaylock (6) is tackled by Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Hero Kanu (93) during the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Hero Kanu (93) celebrates a tackle for a loss during the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners running back Xavier Robinson (24) is tackled by Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) during the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) is pressured during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) is pressured by Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (1) during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) runs the ball during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) is sacked during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) runs the ball during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners place kicker Tate Sandell (29) kicks a field goal during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Oklahoma Sooners tight end Jaren Kanak (12) is tackled during the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Lance Jackson (40) and Texas Longhorns linebacker Brad Spence (14) tackle Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) on 4th down at the end of the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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Manning was pressured on over 46% of his dropbacks for the third consecutive week. That’s something his predecessor, Quinn Ewers, never dealt with once in his three seasons as a Longhorn.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) and offensive lineman Brandon Baker after a win against Kentucky on Oct. 18, 2025, at Kroger Field in Lexington.
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But Manning’s play when he wasn’t pressured turned a middling performance into an ugly one that tested the boundaries of how poorly you can play quarterback and still win, as the Longhorns did, 16-13, in overtime.
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Quantifying Arch Manning’s struggles for Texas football
On at least five occasions Saturday, Manning missed open receivers with no Kentucky pass rushers around to harry him.
He underthrew Ryan Wingo on a deep route down the sideline and was bailed out by a pass interference call. He missed Wingo wide open on a mesh route over the middle on a key third down. He threw a pass behind Wingo on a deep crossing pattern, allowing the Kentucky defensive back to break it up. He overshot Jack Endries on the right side with nobody around him. He missed Wingo over the middle again in the fourth quarter.
When the Longhorns did manage to keep Manning clean, he connected on 8 of his 16 pass attempts for a measly 70 yards. He was actually more efficient from a yards per attempt perspective when the Wildcats put him under pressure.
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Six of his 12 completions for the game came on passes behind the line of scrimmage. When asked to throw down the field, Manning went 6-for-21 for 91 yards.
“It was way too leaky for him,” Sarkisian said of his team’s offensive line. “And in turn, that can create some uneasiness. When you have opportunities to make throws, you don’t make some.”
MORE: How an offseason rebuild saved Longhorns from disaster at Kentucky
Rebuilt center of Texas football offensive line falters
Pressure, conventionally, comes around the edges of the line of scrimmage. That’s where defenses position their best pass rushers in base looks.
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That was not the source of most of the pressure sent Manning’s way by Kentucky. The Longhorns took the field Saturday night with inexperience at left guard and at center, and the Wildcats targeted that pressure point.
Nick Brooks, a true freshman playing guard thanks to a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness demonstrated by players who began the season above him on the depth chart, and Connor Robertson, filling in for the injured Cole Hutson at center, endured a rough night.
According to Pro Football Focus, they combined to give up 11 of the 18 pressures Kentucky registered against Manning.
On the second sack Manning took, for example, Robertson was forced six yards behind the line of scrimmage by his man, prompting Manning to step up into the pocket. There, he was met by David Gusta, who had blown through Brooks.
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The interior offensive line issue was evident in the run game as well. After running the ball between the tackles 21 times in last week’s win over Oklahoma for 99 yards, the Longhorns rarely even tried to do so against Kentucky. Texas rushed between the tackles six times Saturday, picking up a total of 14 yards.
Kentucky thwarts attempt by Texas Longhorns offense to get physical up front
Texas opened its first drive with two tight ends on the field. That’s not an uncommon tactic for Sarkisian, who often began games with Gunnar Helm and Juan Davis on the field together last season, and has repeated that tendency with Endries and Jordan Washington.
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Against Kentucky, Texas ran 16 plays involving two or more tight ends, opting to take an athletic receiver off the field for some added muscle.
MORE: Longhorns squeak out 16-13 OT win at Kentucky to stay on track
Texas averaged 2.6 yards per play on those snaps.
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One of the only true successful plays Texas ran out of that structure involved misdirection rather than brute force. Texas ran a tight end screen for Washington that picked up 25 yards.
Washington, a redshirt freshman, played 29 snaps Saturday compared to 37 for Endries, a junior who racked up 623 receiving yards in 13 games for Cal last season. He’s got just 12 receptions and 111 yards to his name as a Longhorn.
Texas football defense anchored by elite corners
Since Malik Muhammad returned from injury last week, he and fellow corner Jaylon Guilbeau have combined to form a duo that you just can’t throw on.
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Oklahoma and Kentucky targeted Muhammad and Guilbeau 18 times, collectively, and picked up an average of 4.28 yards on those targets. Throw in a pair of interceptions for Muhammad over that span, and that’s elite-level cornerback production.
Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley knew better than to force the ball out wide. Of his 39 targets, 31 were directed away from Guilbeau and Muhammad. Kentucky’s passing offense picked up an average of 7.3 yards per passing attempt when throwing away from Texas’ corners and 4.1 yards per attempt when throwing at them.
Muhammad’s year-over-year improvement has been dramatic. Last season, he gave up 411 yards on 60 targets (6.85 yards per target) and committed four penalties, including one in each of the Longhorns’ College Football Playoff games.
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Now in 2025, he hasn’t taken a penalty since Week 1, and quarterbacks are demonstrably less efficient when looking his way. Allowing 4.1 yards per target, he’s performing slightly better in coverage than Jahdae Barron did last season on his way to being taken in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The Texas football true freshman report
After deploying seven true freshmen last week, the Longhorns played eight against Kentucky. Brooks started on the offensive line, while Graceson Littleton, Jonah Williams, Kade Phillips, Justus Terry, Daylan McCutcheon, Lance Jackson and Nick Townsend all featured, too.
Notably, Terry, a five-star defensive lineman, burned his redshirt by appearing in his fifth game this year, becoming the seventh Longhorn rookie to do so.
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This wasn’t a game for freshmen to make notable impacts on the box score. Littleton picked up four tackles on defense, while Jackson posted three. Williams, playing for just the second time this year, added one.