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Texas defensive end Colin Simmons (1) brings down Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (Sara Diggins\/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Sara Diggins\/The San Antonio Exp<\/p>\n
Texas defensive end Colin Simmons (1) sacks Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon (11) during the first half an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (Sara Diggins\/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Sara Diggins\/The San Antonio Exp<\/p>\n
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) \u2014 Even before his viral in-game celebration against Tennessee, Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons was making a name for himself as one of the best defensive players in college football.<\/p>\n
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Simmons’ vulgar antics<\/a> drew a penalty and a loud rebuke online. And it ultimately prompted an apology from the Texas athletic director to the fanbase over the whole episode.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n But the sack celebration was just one moment in a day when Simmons evolved into a bona fide game wrecker for the No. 1 Longhorns. Now the Oklahoma Sooners have to try to figure out how to stop him on Saturday in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.<\/p>\n It’s a big ask. The Sooners’ offensive line has struggled to protect quarterback John Mateer, who has already been battered and bruised this season.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Texas pass rush is special. Everybody knows No. 1,\u201d Sooners offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said. \u201cUnreal talent, plays his butt off. Extremely twitchy. Can definitely be a game changer if you let him be a game changer.\u201d<\/p>\n A preseason All-American, Simmons started this season with 21 career sacks. At 6-foot-3, 246 pounds he’s an elite edge rusher with a combination of speed and strength.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Supported by a strong defensive front in the middle, the defensive schemes under new coordinator Will Muschamp have unleashed Simmons to maximize his ability to get to opposing quarterbacks.<\/p>\n Simmons had a sack in Texas’ come-from-behind win against Ohio State, then terrorized Tennessee with a school record 5 1\/2 sacks.<\/p>\n That dominant effort was tarnished by his celebration after one of those, when he mimicked urinating on the field and was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.<\/p>\n That set off a firestorm of critics online, a pledge from coach Steve Sarkisian that Texas would clean up \u201cunacceptable\u201d penalties, and the broad apology to Texas fans from athletic director Chris Del Conte.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Simmons apologized for the celebration in his postgame comments but hasn’t addressed the media since.<\/p>\n In their postgame statements after Tennessee, Del Conte and Sarkisian both defended Collins as a player of good character who was caught up in the moment.<\/p>\n<\/a>
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