Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Collecting all the post-game analysis articles, including those behind paywalls, regarding the UTEP game here:

(Gerald Goodridge) No. 7 Texas 27, UTEP 10: Three things we learned

Quote

The No. 7 Texas Longhorns looked lethargic yet again, playing against an outmatched opponent, struggling to get the offense going, and failing to launch both on the ground and through the air. Texas managed to come away with a win, but it has just two weeks left before the start of SEC play, and there are still plenty of questions remaining for the preseason favorite to win the conference.

The offensive issues are more than skin-deep

The offense looked out of rhythm and, frankly, inept in every aspect of its offensive performance, struggling to get any rhythm going at all. Texas leaned into the run in the game, whether that was the original gameplan or required due to the abysmal play of quarterback Arch Manning. After starting the game 3-5 for 58 yards, Manning’s next 10 passes fell incomplete, including a fourth-down interception in the red zone. He finished the game with 114 yards on 25 attempts and a touchdown, 4.56 yards per attempt. Part of the issue is that Texas still doesn’t know who its go-to receiver is in the group, with last week’s star, Parker Livingstone, effectively disappearing against UTEP.

Part of the issue with Texas’s offensive rhythm is that it lacks a standout at the running back position. Quintrevion Wisner missed his second consecutive game due to injury, and CJ Baxter left the game after one carry for six yards, leaving Jerrick Gibson, Christian Clark, and freshman James Simon to carry the load. Simon finished as the game’s leading rusher with 67 yards, while Gibson, who avoided his usual struggles with ball security, added 64 yards of his own. Manning was Texas’s most effective threat on the ground, rushing nine times for 51 yards and the Longhorns’ two touchdowns on the ground.

The defense can carry the team, again

While UTEP was able to put up numbers against Texas, they kept the Miners’ offense in check for most of the contest, surrendering the Miners’ lone touchdown of the game, which came with 1:57 left on the clock. The Miners managed just 2.2 yards per carry on the ground and 5.8 yards per attempt through the air, while turning UTEP quarterback Malachi Nelson over twice. Jelani McDonald and Graceson Littleton took advantage of Nelson’s struggles at quarterback, both securing their first interceptions of the season.

The Longhorns spent a lot of time in the UTEP backfield, with six tackles for loss in the contest, including bringing down Nelson for two sacks and two additional hurries. Hero Kanu’s sack marked the second consecutive week where a Texas defensive tackle brought the QB down, while Zina Umeozulu added the game’s other sack.

Texas’s special teams are growing

Jack Bouwmeester has already emerged as a threat for Texas, but the rest of Jeff Banks’ unit had a lot of questions left after the first three games. Texas fans finally got an extended look at Mason Shipley, who went 2-2 on the day from 30 and 31 yards, keeping the Longhorns comfortably ahead in the game. We also saw Ryan Niblett finally break out as a return threat, specifically on punts, finishing the game with 72 yards on three chances, including a long of 49.

It wasn’t perfect from the unit, with Warren Roberson notching two block-in-the-back penalties in the second quarter, pushing the Texas offense back before they even took the field. Unforced errors continue to plague the Longhorns, with 76 total penalty yards on the defense and special teams alone.

Eric Nahlin: Sarkisian Faces Tough Choices After Arch Manning’s Passing Struggles vs UTEP

Quote

I’m writing this a little too immediately after the game. The absolutists are out in full force making strong declarations about how the whole season is going to go. They might end up being right, but they don’t know with nearly as much certainty as they think they do. I got a text from a buddy—one of our investors, actually:

“Gotta play Arch like Haynes King and mimic Georgia Tech. Protect the defense, ask Arch to make 10 throws a game, always kick field goals, never go for it on 4th down. Figure out how to get to 24 points each game. Best chance moving forward, imo.” Some stuff I agree with. Sounds like K-State in days of yore:

But also, that’s a bit absolutist as well—“always kick field goals” and “never go for it on 4th down.” His point about protecting the defense is well taken, though. My thinking is Steve Sarkisian believes this would be the floor for his team. He’s seeking alpha and upside. He’s an offensive coach and expects much more from his own side of the ball. However, if the offensive line doesn’t start blocking better, he’s going to have to run Arch a lot more than he ever anticipated. Another reason he’s going to have to run Arch more than expected…

He’s struggling mightily as a passer. I had confidence in Sark when he was 5–7. Many of you don’t have confidence in him now after The Rebuild. It’s a bridge too far for me to try to debate those people or to agree that Arch is a bust, but Sark may be a bit too proud in his ways. He also may have misjudged his offense.

It’s one thing for Arch to have jitters against Ohio State—entirely something else to miss layups against UTEP at home. It’s one thing to replace four starters on the offensive line, but another to apply the same context Sark did in saying he still had experience returning. That experience isn’t showing up. I love the defense. I love the program culture. There were many other positives today that I’ll get into tomorrow, but Sark may need to rethink his approach based on team strengths and weaknesses.

 

  • Hook 'Em 1
  • Like 1
Posted

These guys are mouth breathing idiots. Best Texas team ever, arch looks great all the camp talk was so dumb they aren’t coaches, they don’t know shit. Waste of space on the internet if you ask me.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted

In fairness, the offensive off season reports weren't exactly glowing.   There was just hope that the reason was because the defense was so elite and we were breaking in a new OL and skill players.  But in reality, shit is fucked.  This looks like late era Mack Brown ineptitude on offense.  

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



Ă—
Ă—
  • Create New...