Three standout performers from No. 21/17 Texas Football have been recognized with weekly honors by the Southeastern Conference, the league announced Monday. Junior defensive back Malik Muhammad was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, sophomore edge rusher Colin Simmons earned Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week, and sophomore wide receiver Ryan Niblett was selected as Co-Special Teams Player of the Week.
Each player received their first career SEC weekly award following Texas’ dominant 26-3 win over No. 6/6 Oklahoma in the Allstate Red River Rivalry on Oct. 11 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
Muhammad, a DeSoto, Texas native, played a pivotal role in shutting down the Sooners’ offense. He recorded two interceptions, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup. His first pick halted an Oklahoma drive at the Texas 42-yard line, setting up a field goal attempt. The second came in the end zone just before halftime, preventing a potential score and preserving a narrow 6-3 deficit. He also broke up a pass on Oklahoma’s final drive, forcing a fourth down that Texas stopped. Muhammad’s performance marked the first time since 2016 that a Longhorn recorded multiple interceptions against Oklahoma. Through six games, he has totaled 11 tackles (eight solo), two interceptions, three pass breakups, and one tackle for loss.
Simmons, a Dallas native, was a disruptive force on the defensive line, tallying 2.5 sacks and five total tackles. His first sack came in the second quarter, helping stall a drive that ended in a field goal. He added another in the fourth quarter on a crucial third-and-20, and shared a third sack on Oklahoma’s final possession. Simmons has compiled 15 tackles (eight solo), a team-leading five tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hurries, and a pass breakup this season.
Thanks to the efforts of Muhammad and Simmons, Texas’ defense ranks among the nation’s best:
- 3rd in scoring defense (11.0 ppg)
- 4th in rushing defense (74.3 ypg)
- 5th in kickoff return defense (10.40 ypr)
- 6th in fourth-down conversion defense (23.1%)
- 10th in first down defense (85)
- 10th in team passing efficiency defense (104.92)
- 11th in total defense (259.8 ypg)
- 11th in turnovers gained (12)
- 12th in interceptions (8)
- 5th among Power 4 teams in opponent yards per play (4.1)
Texas has held six of its last seven opponents under 100 rushing yards and leads the SEC in turnovers gained.
On special teams, Niblett electrified the crowd with a 75-yard punt return touchdown, giving Texas a 20-6 lead in the fourth quarter. It was the first punt return touchdown of his career and only the third ever by a Longhorn against Oklahoma, with the last coming in 2013. Niblett also added a 22-yard kickoff return and now leads the SEC in punt return average (21.6 yards) and ranks 11th nationally in combined kick return yards (328).
Up Next:
Texas travels to Lexington to face the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ESPN.
