The Texas Longhorns (7-1, 3-1) went into Nashville to face a gritty Vanderbilt team and left FirstBank Stadium with a 27-24 win. Texas definitely could and should have won by more, but a win is a win. Especially in the SEC… The Longhorns now head into their final bye with a 7-1 overall record. Regardless of how fans feel about the jounrey to a 7-1 record, just about everybody would have signed up for that in August. Let’s get to grades from the 27-24 Texas victory over Vanderbilt.
Offense: B
The offense played better than in the home loss to Georgia, but there is still room for improvement. The best part of the game in Nashville was seeing Quinn Ewers perform his best since returning from injury. At one point Ewers completed 17 consecutive passes and looked to be the quarterback everyone thought he was headed into the season. He still had two interceptions off tipped passes, which are hard to fault one person in particular. With that being said, Steve Sarkisian would like to see fewer turnovers from the offense moving forward.
Heading into the 2024 season, the Longhorns offensive line was expected to be a big strength of the team. In the last two games the Longhorns have given up 11 sacks. Not all of those sacks are the offensive line’s fault but many of them are. The incessant penalties are just as much of a killer and that’s been an issue all year with this line. Left tackle Kelvin Banks uncharacteristically had two holding calls to along with right guard DJ Campbell having one false start. Tight end Gunnar Helm also had a holding call. One of the holds called on Banks was questionable, as was the hold on Helm, but the bottom line is they were called. Kyle Flood’s front five have simply committed entirely too many penalties this year. And it is not just the penalties that hurt, but when and where they occur. The first penalty turned a 2nd & 6 into 2nd & 12 and led to a Texas punt – the penalty essentially killed the drive. Helm’s holding call turned a 3rd and 1 into 3rd and 11 and also led to a punt. Banks’ second hold turned a first and 10 into 1st and 19 and eventually Ewers had to make a great play on 3rd & 20 to convert. Essentially the penalties from the offensive line are making it more difficult for an offense that is already struggling to some extent. To make matters worse many of these penalties are stalling drives in the second half and keeping opponents in the game.
Defense: B+
Pete Kwiatkoswki’s defense did not play their best game of the year, but they battled against the best quarterback they have faced this season. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is a top candidate to to be first team All-SEC. Pavia brings a true dual threat factor and Texas did well in their first test versus a dual threat quarterback this year. Vanderbilt looks to control clock and sustain long drives and Texas was able to prevent that on Saturday by forcing turnovers. The Longhorns forced two interceptions and a fumble. That does not count a pick-six by Kobe Black that was negated by a targeting penalty on Vernon Broughton.
The defense made enough impact plays to hold up their end of the bargain, however there are areas to improve. The Longhorns recorded zero sacks. There were opportunities for sacks but Texas could not finish the play. Moving forward more sacks will be the difference between a good Texas defense and a great Texas defense. They are capable of being great, but they need to capitalize on the opportunities that are there. Freshman EDGE Colin Simmons is a great player but he is still learning to not overrun the play. If he can improve in that area he will start getting more sacks.
Special Teams: C+
The Longhorn special teams was once again average, at best. Punter Michael Kern was back in the lineup and was fine other than a shanked punt before halftime that directly led to three Commodore points. No team can have a 23 yard punt, regardless of the situation. Luckily it only led to three but it cost Texas three points nonetheless. Punting is something that needs major work during the byeweek, as it has been a net-negative for the Longhorns for the first time this season in the Sark era. Kicker Bert Auburn wasn’t asked to do much but made both field goal attempts including one that made it a 10 point game late in the fourth quarter.
The Longhorns continue to hold too often on kick and punt returns. After two penalties versus Georgia on kick coverage, Warren Roberson had another holding penalty. This time Roberson wiped out a long kick return by Matthew Golden with a hold. Golden and Silas Bolden are both great returners but that does not matter if there are penalties on every good return. Following the bye, the Texas special teams needs to be much-improved or the Longhorns’ season will not end where many hoped it would.
