Entering the 2026 season, the Texas Longhorns signaled to the college football world that they were not to be taken lightly. Head coach Steve Sarkisian hired Will Muschamp as the team’s defensive coordinator and made several splash additions to bolster the offense. On Saturday, Sarkisian looked like the smartest man in college football as his transfers accounted for five touchdowns in Texas’ 59-7 season-opening win over Texas State.
Transfer Portal Touchdown Frenzy:
This offseason’s biggest addition was wide receiver Cam Coleman, widely regarded as the top player in the transfer portal. The former Auburn standout didn’t take long to make his presence felt in Austin, scoring the game’s first touchdown on a six-yard pass from Arch Manning with 10:31 left in the first quarter.
Coleman found the end zone again in the third quarter with an impressive 20-yard touchdown grab. While he didn’t lead the team in receptions, finishing with just three, but he made them count with 70 yards and two touchdowns.
Although Coleman quickly made an impact, last year’s problems could largely be attributed to Texas’ struggles in the running game. After adding a pair of standout running backs in Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown, the expectation was that Texas had not one but two feature backs at its disposal.
Saturday’s season opener did nothing to dispel that notion. Both Smothers, the NC State transfer, and Brown, the Arizona State transfer, scored touchdowns against the Bobcats. Smothers got the starting nod, but Brown outscored his running mate 2-to-1.
Texas Offense’s Good & Bad:
Despite the individual success of the two running backs, the Longhorns’ offensive line still left something to be desired against Texas State. The team frequently found the end zone, but there weren’t many moments Saturday when runners had gaping holes to run through. Instead, much of Texas’ success seemed to hinge on individual playmaking. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but individual talent will only take a team so far against the conference’s top competition.
Back to the positive: Arch Manning was efficient and appeared to enjoy having his new playmakers around him. The junior quarterback finished with 305 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Manning’s sole interception came right before the end of the first half in the opponent’s red zone, and will surely be something that is dissected in this week’s film room.
Bend, but no Break, Defense:
Defensively, the Longhorns were solid, bending at times but rarely breaking. One of the game’s top moments came with 7:53 remaining in the second quarter, when linebacker Rasheem Biles forced a Texas State fumble. Graceson Littleton quickly scooped it up and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. The fumble recovery gave Texas a quick 28-0 lead and essentially sealed the game before halftime. Later, Biles made another impact play, intercepting Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson in the third quarter.
The problem? The Longhorns had trouble containing Jackson early in Saturday’s contest. Despite throwing for only 150 yards, Jackson created several problems with his mobility, evading Longhorn defenders and finding opportunities to move the chains. Jackson’s ability to run was no secret entering the season opener as he had led the Sun Belt Conference in rushing touchdowns the previous year. Still, it took some time for the Longhorns to get a handle on him.
Looking Ahead:
Ultimately, the Longhorns ran away with an impressive 49-7 win, but they still have plenty to work on. Next weekend, the nation’s top-ranked team, Ohio State, travels to Austin for a game that could help establish the early hierarchy of college football. Last season, the Buckeyes defeated Texas in a low-scoring barn burner, a loss the Longhorns never truly recovered from.
This year’s Texas roster, however, is loaded with talent at nearly every position. If the Longhorns want to climb the mountain and win a national championship, now is the time to make their move.
