Texas squeezes out win over Houston 31-24

We thought there was a possibility this could happen. Texas came out in the first quarter and scored three touchdowns. Then everything fell apart until late in the fourth quarter.

Houston had nothing to lose and they played like it during the second, third, and fourth quarters.

Sarkisian on the team’s win, “Their ability to finish in the fourth quarter. I thought showed up tonight. So I’m really happy about that. I’m happy to know when I wake up tomorrow morning, we’re going to 6-1 and not 5-2.”

The Texas defense came through again stopping Houston from scoring. David Gbenda broke up a pass that would have been a first down for Houston. Texas got the ball back on downs and ran out the clock.

Quinn Ewers did get hurt in the game. It is his shoulder. Coach Sarkisian commented during the post game press conference that he was concerned about Quinn’s shoulder injury, but that he has all the confidence in Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning because they both have prepared to be ready to be called in.

Quinn Ewers threw 29 passes and completed 23 (79%) for 211 yards with two touchdowns. By all measure, a fantastic game. Sometimes seeming a bit unconfident and going for the easy checkdown, but he is the one with the view of the play, so he gets to decide who to throw to.

We did find it strange that Jordan Whittington did not get more passes thrown his way. Whitington caught two of the three passes thrown to him. One of them was from Maalik Murphy after he came in to replace Ewers.

Jonathan Brooks rushed for 99 yards on 20 carries, plus another 51 yards on eight receptions.

Texas’ four touchdowns came from Savion Red, CJ Baxter, and Xavier Worthy, and Andonai Mitchell.

The game came down to a couple key defensive plays by David Gbenda, Jadhae Barron, and Ethan Burke.

Ethan Burke stopped a sure Houston touchdown after a double-tackle on to stop Houston’s Mike O’Laughlin on the 10 yard line

T’Vondre Sweat then stopped Houston for a no-gain on the 10 yards line, followed by David Gbenda breaking up the pass that caused Houston to have a turnover on downs.

Big Plays.

The biggest play for Texas happened in the first quarter when Ewers delivered the ball perfectly, a 42-yard pass to the outreached arms of Xavier Worthy at the seven yard line where he took it in for a touchdown.

The other big play came from CJ Baxter that gave Texas the lead when he zig-zagged through the middle for 16 yards and a touchdown. 

Six penalties for 60 yards were shared equally between offense and defense.

Houston was a surprise and played well, but it is safe to say that tomorrow when the AP Top 25 rankings come out, Texas will be recalibrated.

We will share post game video and player interview updates. Keep close.

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“Well, first of all, I’d say, I’m happy we won.” Sarkisian