Follow along as our Devon Messinger jots down notes from today’s game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns.
First Quarter:
- Arch Manning and the Longhorns had the perfect first drive to start Saturday’s game. Manning started 4/4 with 56 yards passing and Jaydon Blue capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown rush. Furthermore, Manning found three different receivers for first downs on the drive.
- Through one quarter of action, the Longhorns allowed Mississippi State to rush for 63 yards. So far this season, UTSA has rushed for the most yards in a game against Texas with 128. While the defense did not allow any points, and were able to come up with a big fourth down stop, it has not been a pretty start.
Second Quarter:
- Missed opportunities have killed the Longhorns so far. Jaydon Blue’s fumble in the end zone, a dropped pass by Johntay Cook on a sure-fire touchdown, and a lackluster punt have arguably created a 20 point swing. Thankfully if you are a Longhorn fan, the point differential has been more kind to the team.
- What a way to end the first half for the Longhorns. Arch Manning’s 49-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore gave the team an 8-point cushion with just 29 seconds left.
- Overall, for the first half, the Texas running game has been underwhelming. Against the 123rd ranked rushing defense, Jaydon Blue has only been able to run for 15 yards on five carries. Entering Saturday’s game, I listed Blue as my X-factor for the game. With limited production thus far, the Bulldogs have been able to hang around in the game.
Third Quarter:
- As mentioned earlier, Jaydon Blue’s performance in this one is critical. To start the first half, the junior running back coughed up the football once again. Expect Steve Sarkisian to give an increased number of snaps to Quintrevion Wisner during the rest of the game.
- What a career progression for Vernon Broughton. Coming out of high school, Broughton was a bit of a ‘tweener’ in terms of his size and position on the football field, but the senior has worked his tail off to be a contributor. On Mississippi State’s first drive to start the second half, Broughton earned the ball back with a strip sack fumble.
- Steve Sarkisian’s decision to go for it on fourth down, following a penalty by the Bulldogs, was a questionable decision. Prior to the attempt, Texas kicker Bert Auburn had converted on a field goal which would have made the contest a two possession game.
- Man, Colin Simmons is good at football. Another game, another sack for the young freshman linebacker. Simmons has sky-high potential as not only a Longhorns, but also as a future NFL Draft prospect.
- In addition to Simmons, I am high on redshirt freshman Colton Vasek, out of Westlake. The EDGE rusher tallied another sack on the season despite only being on the field for a limited number of sacks. Having covered a handful of his high school games, I have seen the 6’5″ Longhorn wreak havoc against opposing lines and quarterbacks many, many times.
Fourth Quarter:
- Arch Manning continues to do well with the deep ball, finding DeAndre Moore in the end zone for the second time today. While Manning has looked good, Moore has really impressed me today with his energy and effort not only on the receiving end, but as a blocker as well.
