{"id":51645,"date":"2025-11-16T07:21:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-16T07:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/51645\/"},"modified":"2025-11-16T07:21:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T07:21:09","slug":"staff-takeaways-from-sec-loss-to-georgia-bulldogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/51645\/","title":{"rendered":"Staff takeaways from SEC loss to Georgia Bulldogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Niblett (21) is tackled during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) drops a pass during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian prepares to lead his team out of the tunnel ahead of the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks the sideline during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns kicker Mason Shipley (49) lines up a kick during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns edge rusher Colin Simmons (1) sacks Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) during the game at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns edge rusher Colin Simmons (1) sacks Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) during the game at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia running back Chauncey Bowens (33) during the game at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) drops a pass during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia players celebrate a defensive stop during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Former<\/p>\n

Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning walks the sideline ahead of the Texas Longhorns game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) drops a pass during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"A<\/p>\n

A pass is thrown over Texas Longhorns receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart walks the sideline during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) runs the ball during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns receiver Parker Livingstone (13) lises control of the ball after a hit during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws a pass during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"A<\/p>\n

A Texas Longhorns fan reacts to a Georgia touchdown during the game at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Georgia<\/p>\n

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) hands the ball off to running Nate Frazier Jr. (3) during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"The<\/p>\n

The Texas Longhorns celebrate a touchdown by receiver Ryan Wingo (1) during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) is sacked during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Wingo (1) catches a pass during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) is sacked during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Wingo (1) catches a pass during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (4) misses a tackle on Georgia receiver Zachariah Branch (1) during the game at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks the field after the loss to Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) leaves the field after the loss to Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

In the end, it wasn’t a dramatic ending or a big play or even a big mistake that decided No. 10\u00a0Texas football<\/a>‘s 35-10 loss Saturday night to No. 5 Georgia. Simply put, the Bulldogs outplayed the Longhorns, had Texas’ offensive line playing on its heels, won all three phases of the game and Georgia coach Kirby Smart outcoached Steve Sarkisian<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Put all those together and you’ve got Georgia’s big win and Texas’ big loss \u2014 the Longhorns’ third\u00a0loss takes them out of\u00a0the SEC championship game conversation and virtually dooms their\u00a0College Football Playoff hopes<\/a>. Blame that Oct. 4 loss in Gainesville. The best Texas can do from here\u00a0out is win out, play spoiler to Texas A&M, win on early National Signing Day next\u00a0month and win its non-CFP bowl game.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) drops a pass during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

Texas quarterback Arch Manning<\/a> was sacked three times, but he was hit and hurried all night long. The Longhorns were just 2 of 12 on third-down conversions finished with only 274 yards of total offense, ran for only 23 yards and committed nine penalties to Georgia’s one. Texas cut the lead to 14-10 on a Ryan Wingo touchdown catch late in the third quarter, but two fourth-down conversions, one touchdown and one surprise onside kick later, Georgia got the win.<\/p>\n

WHAT CED SAID: So far, the Texas Longhorns sure do have a Georgia Bulldogs puzzle in the SEC<\/a><\/p>\n

MORE: Does Texas coach Steve Sarkisian have a big game problem? Let’s look at the numbers.<\/a><\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Here’s what we saw from Saturday’s loss:<\/p>\n

Kirby Smart outsmarts Steve Sarkisian once again<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to argue against the facts: In three meetings between Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and Georgia’s Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs boss has coached circles around Sarkisian. To be fair to the fifth-year Texas coach, Smart has coached circles around almost everyone in his decade with Georgia, but it\u2019s especially obvious in his matchups with Texas. Smart is a defensive-minded coach while Sarkisian\u2019s coaching roots extend deep on the offensive side of the ball; in three meetings over the past two years, Texas has scored a total of 44 points. Oh, and Smart\u2019s sassy onside kick Saturday in the fourth quarter was an added dash of spice that came after a touchdown drive fueled by two gutsy calls to go for it on fourth down.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Georgia pummeled Texas through the air<\/p>\n

The return of Michael\u00a0Taaffe<\/a> and Jelani McDonald from injury did not resolve Texas\u2019 difficulties defending the pass. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton completed 24 of his 29 attempts for 229 yards and four touchdowns, becoming the third straight signal-caller to shred the Longhorns\u2019 secondary. Mississippi State’s Blake Shapen threw for 382 yards and five\u00a0TDs in Texas\u2019 victory Oct. 25, then Vanderbilt’s Diego\u00a0Pavia blitzed Texas for 365 yards and three\u00a0TDs a week later.<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) snaps the ball during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

Non-existent running game did Arch Manning no favors<\/p>\n

Yes, Texas quarterback Arch Manning got sacked three times for 16 yards. But take away those sacks and Texas still ran for only 36 yards on 11 carries. The Longhorns\u2019 offense is completely reliant on Manning at this point of the season, and that imbalance shows in a\u00a0matchup against an elite squad like Georgia. Manning played well with 251 yards on 27-of-43 passing, but he can\u2019t carry the Texas offense \u2014 at least in his first season as a starter.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Texas fails on special teams against Georgia (again)<\/p>\n

The Longhorns did not learn from the special teams mistakes they made the last time they met these Bulldogs. Kirby Smart\u2019s team guzumped Texas on special teams once again Saturday night, attempting and recovering a surprise onside kick in the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead. The Bulldogs used their positive field position to score a touchdown that extended the lead to 18. Texas fans will remember last year\u2019s SEC championship game when a fourth-quarter fake punt changed the dynamic of the contest, along with a pair of missed field goals by the Longhorns.<\/p>\n

Up next for Texas: Arkansas<\/p>\n

Next Saturday at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Kickoff will be either at 2:30 p.m., 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

At least the Longhorns won’t have to recover from Saturday’s disappointment by traveling to Fayetteville. It’s the first of two home games to close the regular season, with No. 3 Texas A&M on tap the day after Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Niblett (21) is tackled during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":51646,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[3230,132,134,133,261,782,20923,9764,3232,266,537,536],"class_list":["post-51645","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-austin","tag-arch-manning","tag-austin","tag-austin-headlines","tag-austin-news","tag-college-football","tag-georgia-bulldogs","tag-georgia-bulldogs-football","tag-sec","tag-sec-conference-football","tag-sec-football","tag-texas-longhorns","tag-texas-longhorns-football"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51645"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51645\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}