Texas powers over Kentucky 31-14

Another dominant win this time over Kentucky 31-14 where saw Texas pass in the first half and rush the second half due to an slight ankle injury to Quinn Ewers.

Quinn Ewers played his final home game at DKR, unless the CFP committee awards Texas a home field berth in the post season. Ewers threw for 191 yards connecting 20 times with two touchdowns to Gunnar Helm in the end zone.

In the second half Ewers threw just 14 yards due to an ankle injury that coach Sarkisian wanted to protect and not push. 

Of the 191 yards passing (173 first half, 14 second half), Texas receivers had 99 yards-after-catch (YAC) which means Ewers had 100 yards of passing downfield with two for 17 yards each and his longest being 20 yards.

Matthew Golden pulled in seven catches for 86 yards, 43 yards were after catching the ball. Texas’ staple tight end Gunnar Helm caught five passes for 51 yards.

The spotlight belonged to Quintrevion Wisner for rushing 26 times for a career-high 158 yards.

Coach Sarkisian said of Wisner during the post-game press conference, “Wisner is the toughest player on the team. He is made from steel wool.”

Defense

The Texas defense plays like a lion in the wild hunting for a meal and they are starving. Sophomore linebacker from Denton Texas #0 Anthony Hill Jr. played like he usually does, but more unrelenting and ferocious. 

Hill led the team with 10 tackles, two sacks for 19 yards of loss, and three tackles for a loss. We asked coach Sarkisian if NFL scouts at the game would try to convince him to declare for the NFL? Also we asked if Sarkisian would say Hill plays like Lawrence Taylor, Ray Lewis, or Dick Butkus?

Sarkisian smiling and with a sigh of relief said, “thankfully the NFL can’t take him yet and he was not ready just yet to put on the yellow jacket.”

Barryn Sorrell, Trey Moore, freshman Collin Simmons, and Ty’Anthony Smith recorded sacks to give Texas six total.

Texas’ two interceptions came from sophomore defensive back #25 Jelani McDonald from Waco Texas in the 2nd quarter and senior #4 Andrew Mukuba in the 4th quarter with 00:36 left on the clock to seal the game. 

Summary

Texas did not play perfect football and Kentucky, as expected, gave Texas some troubles like two fumbles, a turnover on downs on the second drive, and held Texas twice on 4th down to force a punt.

Texas did play the kind of football they are known for: tough, full of grit, persistent, physical, and smart. This is the kind of football Texas is known for and fans love.

Now, Texas A&M is the next wildebeest they are preparing to hunt in the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown at Kyle Field in College Station two days after Thanksgiving.

This game is so massive the word ‘Rivalry’ does not properly describe just how big it is.

Texas is now 10-1 for the second straight season. A win next week secures Texas will be playing in the SEC Championship game.

#HookEm