After a quick start to Saturday’s contest in which Quinn Ewers threw three touchdown passes, the Longhorns looked primed to win big. However, thanks to undisciplined play and penalties, Vanderbilt pulled within one score with just 1:11 left in the game. Fortunately for Steve Sarkisian, his team hung on, walking away with a 27-24 win.
While the first half, overall, was a well-orchestrated performance for the Longhorns – it didn’t start out that way. In fact, Quinn Ewers threw a tipped-pass interception on the team’s first drive. Even so, Ewers bounced back showcasing a solid connection with DeAndre Moore, who accounted for two first half touchdown grabs.
Unfortunately, the Longhorns also suffered 10 penalties for a total of 107 total yards. As a result, the team repeatedly shot themselves in the foot at the most untimely moments. For example, late in the game, defensive back Kobe Black picked off Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia for a touchdown. However, a roughing the passer penalty against defensive lineman Vernon Broughton brought back the play. As a result, instead of a game-sealing pick-six, the Longhorns ultimately allowed the Commodores to score a touchdown.
Despite of the undisciplined play, Steve Sarkisian’s squad also benefitted by some heroic efforts. At safety, Michael Taaffe had both an interception and a forced fumble. Additionally, Texas’ defensive front was forcing pressure Pavia’s way all night.
At the end of the day, the Longhorns did just enough to escape a Vanderbilt upset bid, which would have been their second over a top-five ranked team this season (defeated a then top-ranked Alabama earlier in the season). It was not pretty, but it got the job done. Of course, the Longhorns cannot continue to play with fire without expecting to get burned.
