Biggest Game of Season, Texas challenged offensively in loss to TCU 17-10
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas defense played their best football of the season while the offense did not in the loss to TCU 17-10 before the second largest crowd (104,203) in DKR history.
Three possible scenarios: TCU found a way to stop Texas’ offense, Texas’ offense did not find a way to execute the plays, or the coaches called the wrong plays — either way Texas defense and offense played polar opposite football.
If there was a defensive player of the game, #23 Jahdae Barron was a force of nature with 11 tackles of which eight were solo, 3.5 were tackles for a loss, and he scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery after a 48 yard runback with 4:25 left in the fourth quarter. In the post game press conference, we asked Barron if this was his best game and he said, “No it was not because the team lost!”
Again, the Texas defense played championship style defense for all four quarters putting up 90 tackles of which 36 were solo, 14 tackles for a loss, and five sacks. This was the Texas defense fans have been waiting for and they did not disappoint.
See Field Level Photos of Game
from sports photographer Don Bender / Horns Illustrated
The Texas offense could not connect dots nor execute well enough to win the game. In the 12 Texas drives and 61 plays, Texas had 14 first downs, seven of those came in the third quarter. Quinn Ewers threw 17-39 (44%) for 171 yards, connecting with Xavier Worthy only four times in 12 tries for 32 yards.
Jordan Whittington had six catches for 78 yards and played like a honey badger after getting the ball.
Only three receivers were targeted by Ewers for 171 yards versus seven receivers for 197 yards last week against Kansas State. Last week Worthy had four catches for 42 yards and two touchdowns.
Rushing, Bijan Robinson had more yards rushing (29) than Texas had total (28). How is that possible? Roschon Johnson had five carries for 14 yards and Ewers carried the ball five times for -15 yards.
The Texas offense did not score other than kicker Bert Auburn who made a field goal from 22 yards.
A disappointing loss considering Texas defense played so great and the Texas offense played maybe their worst game. Tonight was not All Gas No Brakes but All Brakes (defense) and No Gas (offense).
Texas likely/hopefully will make the Alamo Bowl this season.
Texas plays Kansas on the road next week Nov. 19 (Sat) in Lawrence, Kansas with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
