OTF Premium Some 2:30 a.m. thoughts

[Hank South]

Just walked in the door from the game. Think I lost about 15 pounds in water weight today walking around. Not sure I’ll be able to sleep tonight (or this morning at this point). 

Figured I’d share a few thoughts from the game while I’m still wired. 

— I’ve never seen anything like that, and certainly not at DKR. I thought of the 2004 comeback against Oklahoma State, but this was different. This was a Texas team down 20 points to the No. 1 team in the country in the second half. Chris Hummer of 247Sports pulled a great stat: entering tonight, teams were 0-223 that were down by 17-plus to the No. 1 team in the country since 2003. Now it’s 1-223. 

— It truly was the tale of two halves. Texas’ playmakers were nowhere to be found through the first two quarters, with one of the flukiest interceptions you’ll ever a see, a wide-open touchdown dropped by Ryan Wingo, the Raleek Brown fumble, etc. Credit the staff and players for halftime adjustments because the defense clamped down the OSU offense in the second half, especially on 3rd downs. The Buckeyes converted 5 of 8 on 3rd downs in the first half, compared to 1 of 6 in the second half. Texas actually dipped in 3rd down conversation percentage in the second half, but, of course, went 2 for 2 on 4th downs. 

— I can’t get over the poetic finish to this game. Running the ball and converting in the red zone. In beating the No. 1 team in the country, Texas also answered questions people have had about Steve Sarkisian and the Texas offense for several years. The Longhorns averaged 4.2 yards per carry on the ground in the fourth quarter. 

— Hollywood Smothers, Emmett Mosley, Emaree Winston, and Spencer Shannon all get helmet stickers for their performances on offense. Smothers has next-level shiftiness, maybe too much at times, but ran the ball effectively and with some punch. Mosely and Winston had big catches and Shannon had some huge run blocks. Also props to Raleek Brown for stepping up with some key runs late. He averaged 

— The Texas DBs answered the call in the second half. Bo Mascoe had his Longhorns coming out party. Julian Sayin was just 2 for 7 targeting Jeremiah Smith in the second half. In fact, Texas held Sayin to the lowest completion percentage of his career (53.1). 

— Way to keep your head on a swivel Kade Phillips and Cam Coleman jumping on fumbles. Texas fumbled four times and only lost one. Probably Coleman’s best contribution on the night. 

— The 4th and 9 across his body throw is possibly the most clutch play I’ve seen from Arch Manning. That or the 4th and 6 to Emmett Mosley a little while later. 

— Speaking of Mosley, he’s the most sure-handed WR on the team. Texas was wise to start targeting him more in the second half because he changed the trajectory of the game. Big night for the Mosley family. His brother, Trent, had a touchdown grab in USC's win over Louisiana. 

— When one of the toughest players on your team is your quarterback, you’re in good shape. That's what Arch Manning is. As one media member noted in the press box tonight, “that kid is a tough SOB.” 

— I suspect we’ll see some really strong grades from the Texas OL on Sunday morning’s PFF report. They were really good, particularly in pass pro. 

— For as surgical as Julian Sayin-Jeremiah Smith felt in the first half, the fact that OSU only scored three points in the second half is a huge credit to Will Muschamp and the halftime adjustments. The pass rush came to life, and Texas started to affect Sayin more as the game wore on. That certainly affected the accuracy dip. 

— Feel like I’m just rambling now but enjoy this one. It was important for so many reasons that we’ll continue to dissect on OTF. 

[AntlersAlex]

Winston really stepped up. Some huge catches and in the run game.

[HookemHammer]

Thanks for all the coverage you and the team do for our Longhorns!!!

 

I will be making my first trip to DKR next Saturday night!!! I’m so xxxxxxx pumped to watch this team in person!!!

[AusMOJO]

Hank go to sleep my guy, you earned it lol. 

[AusMOJO]

2 minutes ago, AntlersAlex said:

Winston really stepped up. Some huge catches and in the run game.

Yeah was a shame about Townsend though, hope he's alright. 

[Hank South]

6 minutes ago, HookemHammer said:

Thanks for all the coverage you and the team do for our Longhorns!!!

 

I will be making my first trip to DKR next Saturday night!!! I’m so xxxxxxx pumped to watch this team in person!!!

Awesome! You're gonna have a blast! 

[NothinButDaHorns34]

I’d love to hear some feedback from recruits who were there. 

[AusMOJO]

4 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

I’d love to hear some feedback from recruits who were there. 

I think they'll probably do that during the week but I could be wrong. 

[CJ Vogel]

[Little Carmine]

I was at a wedding Mexico, streamed it the entire time (I was that guy) and up at 2:00am to catch the first flight back to the greatest country in the history of the world. What an ELECTRIC game 

[AusMOJO]

30 minutes ago, Little Carmine said:

I was at a wedding Mexico, streamed it the entire time (I was that guy) and up at 2:00am to catch the first flight back to the greatest country in the history of the world. What an ELECTRIC game 

Okay but was the wedding cake good? And how many silent "gosh dang it's" and punches in the air did you do?

[Little Carmine]

25 minutes ago, AusMOJO said:

Okay but was the wedding cake good? And how many silent "gosh dang it's" and punches in the air did you do?

It was mainly a TCU contingent and they “handled business” against Grambling apparently but a few horns in there, only people happier than the bride and groom 

[tommym]

Man, the site and your hard work at this time of day in America. Just watched the game incredible game I caught the score when I got on the high speed train from Qufu China to Jinan China. 

You guys at OTF are the best as far as coverage. As I said before it was incredible win and game. Definitely, the best game to show the heart of what the 2026 Longhorns football is made of.

[justwinbaby]

Went to bed during the fourth quarter, I have an early all day volunteering activity today.  Great game, gritty comeback wins are better than blowout wins.  Vegas was right on the spread, -1.5 to Texas.

This victory is moot if Texas doesn’t win in the next game and take the momentum from the win and have a good start in the SEC.

[Robbin Antono]

You guys are awesome , thank you. One thing that has not been mentioned here, Sark needs to stop calling ‘cute’ plays when you need those short yards. Just call the obvious one and just run it physically.

That 4th down call going sideways ain’t gonna work against good defense, didn’t work against Ohio state couple times in the last couple of years, and didn’t work against Georgia couple of times in the last couple of years. I hope he learned on this

[BurntOrangeHorn]

Great coverage by you and the OTF team Saturday and all year since the Cheez-it Bowl win.  Just comprehensive, insightful and superb!!

🏈🤘🏻🏈🤘🏼🏈🤘🏈🤘🏽🏈🤘🏾🏈🤘🏿🏈

[Hank South]

4 hours ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

I’d love to hear some feedback from recruits who were there. 

Have that coming!

[Hank South]

2 minutes ago, BurntOrangeHorn said:

Great coverage by you and the OTF team Saturday and all year since the Cheez-it Bowl win.  Just comprehensive, insightful and superb!!

🏈🤘🏻🏈🤘🏼🏈🤘🏈🤘🏽🏈🤘🏾🏈🤘🏿🏈

Thank you!