AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian described the Longhorns’ second scrimmage of fall camp as “good and bad.”

The good came primarily from his defense. The bad? An offensive performance Sarkisian called “too sloppy” with the season opener now just two weeks away.

Texas ran roughly 120 plays Saturday in temperatures that reached triple digits on the field. The Longhorns came out of the scrimmage without any injuries, but Sarkisian saw plenty his team still needs to clean up before facing Texas State on Sept. 5.

“I thought defensively they really showed up ready to go today,” Sarkisian said. “I thought the defense came ready to go today. I think they created four turnovers. I think they created plenty of third-and-longs. I think they rushed the passer. They were sticky in coverage.”

The defensive performance came after Sarkisian felt the offense had gotten the better of the defense over the previous two practices.

Arch Manning and the offense

AUSTIN, TX – APRIL 18: Quarterback Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns on the field during the Texas Longhorns Football Fan Day on April 18, 2026, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The offense still produced some explosive plays Saturday, including touchdown catches from Ryan Wingo, Emmett Mosley and Jermaine Bishop, but the overall execution didn’t meet Sarkisian’s standard.


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“I thought offensively it was too sloppy for my liking,” Sarkisian said. “I feel like we should be better, more efficient from an offensive perspective.”

Sarkisian saw some of that inconsistency from quarterback Arch Manning. He said Manning started the scrimmage inefficiently before finishing strong with touchdown passes to Wingo and Mosley in a competitive period.

Sarkisian also believes Manning’s performance reflected where the Longhorns are collectively after nearly three weeks of fall camp.

“You can feel a little physical fatigue and maybe a little mental fatigue,” Sarkisian said. “I felt a little bit of that from Arch today, and that’s not uncommon.”

Sarkisian addresses Smith’s dismissal

One position undergoing change on a defense that impressed Saturday is linebacker.

Sarkisian confirmed Ty’Anthony Smith was dismissed from the program for “conduct detrimental to the team.” Smith was expected to play a significant role in the Longhorns’ linebacker rotation this season.

“He’s a quality player, but I have to think about the team first,” Sarkisian said.

Smith’s departure creates another opportunity in a linebacker room led by Rasheem Biles and Florida State transfer Justin Cryer. Sarkisian also pointed to Brad Spence’s experience and versatility, along with the development of Texas’ younger linebackers.

Florida State linebacker Justin Cryer (28) celebrates during an NCAA football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Kosi Okpala was one of those young players who stood out Saturday, recording an interception that Sarkisian said likely would have been returned for a touchdown.

But Cryer’s emergence has particularly impressed Sarkisian throughout fall camp.

“This guy is squeezing every ounce of juice that he can out of this opportunity to be at Texas,” Sarkisian said. “It’s greatly appreciated, and I think it serves as a great model for a lot of the other transfers.”

Sarkisian praised Cryer’s approach in meetings, walkthroughs and practice, along with his ability to communicate defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s system.

“This guy didn’t wait and feel it out to like, ‘Where do I fit in?’ He’s gone for it,” Sarkisian said. “And I think he’s reaping the benefits of it. He’s playing at a high level for us right now.”

Run game remains point of emphasis

Establishing the run remains another point of emphasis for Texas as the Longhorns move closer to the regular season.


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Sarkisian has been encouraged by the progress throughout fall camp, particularly with the intent and physicality Texas has shown up front.

“I think we’re running the ball well,” Sarkisian said. “Regardless of who’s been in there, there’s been real intent with our ability to run the ball.”

AUSTIN, TEXAS – APRIL 18: Running back Hollywood Smothers #2 of the Texas Longhorns runs for yardage during the Texas Spring Football Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on April 18, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Scott Wachter/Getty Images for ONIT)

The next step is carrying that consistency from practice into scrimmage settings. Sarkisian felt there were areas Texas executed well throughout the week that didn’t translate Saturday.

“We need to consistently do that throughout the scrimmage,” Sarkisian said. “There were things that we had done well throughout this week, and then coming into the scrimmage today, we didn’t do as well.”

Shifting into mock game week

With the second scrimmage complete, Texas will now shift into a mock game week as classes begin Monday. The Longhorns will practice exclusively in the morning and follow a schedule similar to what they’ll use during the regular season before holding a mock game Saturday.

For Sarkisian, the focus now turns toward getting his team physically and mentally refreshed — and turning the flashes Texas has shown throughout fall camp into a more complete performance.

“The game’s going to be here in two weeks,” Sarkisian said.