View from the Cheap Seats-Bearkats

echeese · 2025-09-21T14:32:46Z

View from the Cheap Seats-Sam Houston State

Slumpbuster

When we reviewed the preseason schedule, this game was circled as essentially meaningless, glorified scrimmage against a former FCS power that was struggling badly with the transition to D1 football. Not sure anyone had “season salvaging game” on their bingo card, certainly not the Cheap Seats. After 3 weeks of struggles and lackluster performances by the TEXAS offense and Arch Manning, this game might be what salvages the season. We believe the Texas offense and Arch’s #1 problem was trying to live up to the absurd pre-season hype as National title contenders and Heisman favorites. Arch has been pressing, at least from our view up in the Cheap Seats, he has been pressing too hard, trying to make too much happen. Now, Arch is not mentioned in Heisman discussions, and the Horns can focus on winning the SEC and making the playoffs, the playoffs being the bigger priority of the two.

And we appreciate Sark taking the Cheap Seats advice. Give the kid some quick, easy throws to get into a rhythm, let him have some success. Let the game come to him instead of forcing everything. One of our concerns about Arch had been his body language and the way he interacted with his teammates. Saturday night gave him a chance to get back his swagger, to embrace the joy of the game that he has enjoyed in the past. Forget the hype, forget the fans, go out and play for your teammates, play for yourself. Mission accomplished in spades.

Once again, it was Texas's defense that set the tone early. Talk about “announcing your presence with authority”, the TEXAS D sacked SHSU’s QB on the game's first play, forcing a 3 and out, they then followed up with four straight three-and-outs, before finally giving up a first down on the Bearcats' last drive of the first half. It was a clinic on defensive dominance. The defense would record its first shutout of the season. And Coach PK, who was a finalist for the Frank Broyles Award in 2024, should be the favorite in 2025. This team will go as far as its defense will carry it, and as good as this defense is, that might be pretty far.

Not to be outdone, the offense took out 3 weeks of frustration on the outmatched team from Huntsville. TEXAS would score a touchdown on their 1st three offensive drives, a holding penalty in the red zone forced TEXAS well behind the chains, forcing a FG before they recorded another touchdown on TEXAS’ last drive of the 1st half. Not skipping a beat, TEXAS would start the 2nd half with back-to-back touchdown drives before another FG drive. Arch would then give way midway through the 3rd quarter to Matthew Caldwell, who would lead TEXAS on their longest drive of the night, 91 yards, which included Caldwell’s 50-yard run that even faked out the cameraman.

Glass half empty

The quality of the defenses our offensive line will face in the weeks to come is going to improve significantly, and the OL remains a work in progress.

Is it odd to say we are not crazy about the timing of the bye this week?

The Horns will not play at DKR again until November this year.

ESPN+ sucks. How we miss LHN

Glass Half Full

It was everything the Horn fans and team could expect. The offense got into a much needed rhythm while the defense feasted on an outmatched opponent.

Arch clearly was clicking on all cylinders, and Ryan Wingo had his biggest day of the year. Good to see those two on the same page.

Have we mentioned this D is REALLY good?

Offensive player of the Game

Arch Manning-18 of 21 for 309 yards and 3 passing TDs to go with 2 rushing TDs and a bowed up in the end zone moment that should have been called for taunting, which we’d have taken in a heartbeat. More importantly, the swagger is back.

Defensive Player of the Game

We’re going with the linebacker corps this week. All American Ant Hill, Ty’Anthony Smith, Liona Lefau, and Brad Spence were the top 4 tacklers on the team and added 3 of the 10 tackles for loss and a sack.

Special Teams Player of the Game

Ryan Niblett had three punt returns, including a 49-yarder, to go with a rushing attempt and a pass reception, where his nifty moves netted a 39-yard gain.

Stats that Matter

11 TEXAS had 11 drives, the 1st nine resulted in 7 touchdowns and 2 FGs. You win a great many games with those numbers
0 SHUT OUT, D allowed ZERO points
10/5 10 tackles for loss and 5 sacks by the TEXAS D
9/1/1 TEXAS D forced 9 punts, 1 turnover on downs, one interception and an end of the game 2 play drive.
7 of 11 On 3rd downs, TEXAS moved the chains
2 of 14 TEXAS D denied SHSU 12 of the 14 times they faced 3rd down.

On Deck

The bye week before traveling to Gainesville, Florida, to take on the reeling Gators. The last time the Horns traveled to Gainesville was December 6th, 1941. The next day, the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, oh wait, Bluto had it wrong. In some ways, Florida’s season resembles TEXAS, a strong defense and an uber-talented but not yet clicking offense. TEXAS has more talent, Florida/Jimmy Napier might be playing for their season. SEC play begins, and if the Horns want t o make the playoffs, their margins are slim.

Some thoughts on OU, we are concerned about their front 7 against our offensive line. They beat Auburn with the help of some blown/non-calls. Their secondary can be had, and we will need Arch’s legs to loosen up their D. Their O struggled vs Auburn’s D, while ours is better. The Red River War is shaping up to be another battle, though today, we see the Horns putting it away in the 4th.

Game Highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgXd5UROlFg