After defeating Wyoming on Saturday 31-10, the Longhorns get ready to start Big 12 play as they travel up I-35 to face the Baylor Bears in Waco on 9/23. Here’s everything Sark had to say regarding the win over the Cowboys, the upcoming game, team updates and more:
- Sark thought that the Horns were “really sound on special teams” on Saturday and he is “really proud of that unit.” Defensively, he pointed out 3 key plays that frustrated him, but outside of those, the team played “pretty sound.” Offensively, Sark emphasized the impressive blocks made by the WR unit.
- Quinn Ewers has yet to turn the ball over this season, and his last interception was last season against TCU (6 games ago). Sarkisian: “I hate to jinx the guy, but Quinn taking care of the ball I think has been big for us…” yet adds that the overall “passing game needs to improve.”
- Asked about the Big 12, Sarkisian stated that he knows it has “good coaches… good players… and tough environments to play in” and that they will “have to analyze each team as we [Texas] go…” He was asked if he would like to keep any of the Big 12 rivalries after the move to the SEC: “I think it’s great for the state of Texas…” yet realizes it’s challenging to keep all of the rivalries alive as there is a “trickle-down affect” and that “you can’t play everybody.”
- Sarkisian emphasized at the start of the season how the ‘Horns needed to finish games better. Today, he stated that he was proud of how the team has achieved that so far, but currently is not satisfied with how his team is starting games off.
- Sark was asked about Baylor and the Big 12 games meaning more now that it could be the last time they play each other due to the SEC move: “We need to understand what we are walking into… we understand the environment… we have to embrace it… now more than ever are there ‘Horns down… we can’t sit here and be a punching bag…”
- CB Jahdae Barron played very well on Saturday with 9 tackles (team high) and 1 pass break-up. When asked about him, Sark said he has been the “glue” of the secondary/defense and has “one of the higher football IQ’s” on the team.
- Injury Updates: OL Cole Hutson and DL Kristopher Ross will both miss 3 to 4 weeks. Sarkisian said he hopes to have them back for the Oklahoma game. RB CJ Baxter was at practice today.
Now ranked 3rd in the nation, let’s see how the Longhorns hold as they enter Big 12 play this weekend.
