The SEC denied the appeal, meaning Texas won’t have Smith available for the first half of Friday’s game against Texas A&M.
Sarkisian indicated that he disagreed with the call during his weekly media availability.
“I thought it was a good, clean football hit,” Sarkisian said. “Those are really hard to officiate, especially in the moment. That’s a difficult one, because I thought Ty’Anthony used really good fundamentals and techniques. He kept the crown of his helmet out of it. He wrapped. He didn’t launch himself into the receiver.”
The penalty occurred on a short pass over the middle of the field caught by Arkansas wideout Raylen Sharpe. When Sharpe moved to turn upfield, he was met by Smith, whose facemask collided with Sharpe’s. The penalty stood after a review.
Smith is a sophomore reserve linebacker for the Longhorns, with 47 tackles and 4½ tackles for loss on the season to go with a pair of sacks.
His status comes further into focus amid injury issues surrounding star linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., who did not play last week. Sarkisian said he expected to have Hill back when he met with the media after Saturday’s game against Arkansas, but did not have an update on his status during his Monday media session.
“I don’t have anything new on Anthony,” Sarkisian said. “We’re practicing in the afternoons this week, so I haven’t been on the field with him yet.”