After a statement win over a highly ranked Oklahoma team, Texas fans hoped their Longhorns had finally turned the corner. With a struggling Kentucky squad, winless in conference play at 0-3 on the docket, Saturday’s matchup was expected to build momentum for Steve Sarkisian’s team. Instead, it may have raised more questions than answers. Despite being outgained in total yardage and time of possession, the Longhorn defense held firm, guiding Texas to a gritty 16-13 overtime victory at Kroger Field.
On Saturday, the Longhorn offense was non-existent in Lexington. As with previous weeks, glaring issues with the offensive line re-emerged, stunting both Texas’ running and passing games. More so, Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning shouldered much of the struggles for the offense again as well. In fact, the Texas gunslinger completed only 12 of his 27 pass attempts, totaling 132 yards through the air. With a dismal running game and a lethargic passing game, Texas’ only hope was their defense.
The Texas Defense Comes Up Big, Again
One touchdown and three field goals – that’s all the Texas defense had to work with from its own offense. Fortunately for Longhorn fans, those 16 points proved to be enough. After spending nearly 39 minutes on the field during regulation, the defense finally broke, allowing Kentucky to march down and tie the game with a 45-yard field goal from Jacob Kauwe. Still, that was the lone blemish in an otherwise gutsy performance. In overtime, the defense all but sealed the win with a massive fourth-down stop at the 1-yard line. Moments later, Longhorn kicker Mason Shipley officially checked the Wildcats out with a 45-yard field goal of his own.
While the unit gave up more than its fair share of yards – 395, to be exact – the Texas defense delivered when it mattered most. The Longhorns racked up five sacks, three of them courtesy of sophomore standout Colin Simmons. And with linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. contributing 12 tackles, the group held Kentucky to just one touchdown all night. Sarkisian’s squad needed a heroic effort on that side of the ball – and they got it.
The Takeaway
In the end, Texas escaped with a win in a game it probably shouldn’t have. But Sarkisian’s team won’t survive many more conference battles if the offense continues to sputter. Against Kentucky, Arch Manning was consistently inconsistent, missing open receivers even when he had time in the pocket. The team’s lone touchdown came on a DJ Campbell fumble recovery in the end zone following a Quintrevion Wisner rush – hardly a clean offensive highlight. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but it does have to show up. If this offense keeps disappearing, Texas may not make it out of conference play in one piece
Next weekend, the Longhorns will head to Starkville to face Mississippi State. Like Kentucky, the Bulldogs are 0-3 in conference play and sit at 4-3 overall. Kickoff details for Saturday’s matchup have yet to be announced.
