Postgame Thoughts: Texas 34, Oklahoma 3
The Texas Longhorns blew out the Oklahoma Sooners, 34-3, in a sadly unsurprising edition of the Red River game. No need to beat around the bush. Here are some knee-jerk observations based on my live viewing of the contest.
*I guess your evaluation of this game depends on what you expected. It seemed like most of the optimism I heard from OU partisans involved some variation of “crazy things happen in Red River.” Between the situation on the ground for OU and Texas’ revenge angle, I didn’t see much reason to believe said crazy things would happen in this edition.
As for how the game played out, you can always point to any number of plays or decisions that might have made the result look better. If you want to pitch a fit about any of them, have at it. It would not have changed the outcome.
*Fumble luck bit back hard against the Sooners in this game: The two teams combined to put the ball on the turf three times, and the Longhorns got all of them. Two of the recoveries produced touchdowns.
*Even though the defense allowed 34 points, OU played well enough on that side of the ball considering the quality of the competition.
Texas scored two touchdowns on drives of 43 and 32 yards and added a field goal on a drive that covered just 13 yards. The D also held fast to force a missed field goal on another drive that started at OU’s own 38 yard line and got a stop on downs inside the red zone. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian fired about every bullet he had, too. The tackling deteriorated as fatigue set in, of course.
Call it a B-.
*One especially promising development for the defense was the play of freshman cornerback Eli Bowen. He played sound coverage throughout the game and proved to be one of the team’s surest tacklers on the perimeter. Look for him to garner even more snaps in the second half of the season. No. 23 gave OU a bright spot on a day some of his teammates in the secondary might sooner forget.
Another rookie who seemed to play well: defensive lineman Jayden Jackson.
*On the other side of the ball, offensive coordinator Seth Littrell incorporated a few new wrinkles designed to incorporate Michael Hawkins’ mobility into the plan of attack. Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski clearly keyed on the threat of Hawkins as a runner, helping to render the changes ineffective. Hawkins rarely found room to maneuver as a result.
*Hawkins has developed elite-level throwaway skills.
OK, that’s a snarky way to say that I had hoped to see a game plan that allowed Hawkins to let it rip more. Instead, the passing game appeared to be a lot of one read and escape for the freshman.
But I also don’t attend practice every day, so I have no real clue what the offense can reasonably be expected to execute. And keep in mind that the coaches have to do their best to preserve Hawkins’ health for the second half of the season.
*The Sooners did show a few new looks in the running game that could have some purchase going forward. It feels like the two-back personnel has been their most effective grouping. It definitely seems to give the O the most versatility.
*Did Brent Venables make a mistake by attempting a field goal early in the game rather than going for it on fourth down? Probably, but I have a hard time faulting him if he worried about the offense’s ability to convert.
The greater sin was the indecision that accompanied the call. I have no idea if the urgency to get lined up played a part in Tyler Keltner’s errant kick; it couldn’t have helped, however.
*More disorganization: Robert Spears-Jennings running on the field after a change of possession. He made it just in time to see Tre Wisner break off a 43-yard touchdown run.
*Freshman wideout Zion Kearney probably needs more snaps, based on what we’re seeing in games.