NFL
With a big showdown next week against the Ohio State Buckeyes looming, the Texas Longhorns blasted Texas State 59-7 Saturday. Texas jumped out to a good start and never looked back. The Longhorns looked like a team ramping up for the big showdown next week.
Arch Manning
Arch Manning looked great in the matchup. He played with confidence and was decisive. Manning completed 20 of 27 passes for 305 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. The quarterback also did a good job using his legs to extend plays.
Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman Showed Up
Ryan Wingo led the team with seven catches for 121 yards and one touchdown. Texas State could not cover Wingo, who averaged 17.3 yards per catch. Cam Coleman made his Texas debut and played well. Coleman caught three passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Coleman’s size, speed, and vertical ability give Manning another weapon defenses must account for.
Running Game
Texas added running backs Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown to try to jump-start their rushing attack this year. Smothers immediately made his presence felt, ripping off a 45-yard run on his first touch and later catching a touchdown pass from Manning. Raleek Brown, another transfer addition, scored twice. Smothers rushed for 70 yards on ten carries, while Brown added 34 yards on 11 carries. Texas ran for 156 yards on 4.3 yards per carry.
Defense
The Longhorns’ defense played well Saturday, forcing three turnovers, including a 59-yard fumble-return touchdown by Graceson Littleton and an interception by linebacker Rasheem Biles. The Longhorns had eight tackles for loss and two sacks. The defense did give up a few big plays, something they can not do against Ohio State.
Bottom Line
The Longhorns scored 50-plus points, moved the ball efficiently, created turnovers, and got Manning out of the game early. Texas also avoided turning the game into a fourth-quarter grind, giving younger players valuable snaps. But next week will be the test against the Buckets, who beat Ball State 56-3.
