Maraad Watson’s 61-yard scoop-and-score was the play of the game in No. 11 Texas’ 31-3 rout of Mississippi State on Saturday.
But what Rasheem Biles did on that play encapsulated one of the most impressive individual defensive performances of the Steve Sarkisian era.
Inside the last 90 seconds of the first half, Biles sacked AJ Swann on second-and-10. The hit knocked the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback out of the game. The loose ball bounced sharply off the DKR turf into Watson’s hands, adding insult to injury.
Biles wasn’t done. He led the convoy that guided Watson down the visiting sideline and into the end zone, delivering a block that helped the Longhorns swing the momentum for good.
Biles finished with eight tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Will Muschamp deserves credit for weaponizing Biles in the defense’s two full games without Colin Simmons, but Biles executed the plan well enough to top his performance in last Saturday’s win over Ole Miss.
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Biles also helped Texas (6-2, 3-2 SEC) hold Mississippi State (4-4, 2-4 SEC) to a field goal after Arch Manning’s third-quarter fumble gave the Bulldogs the ball at the 28-yard line. Biles sniffed out an end-around to Anthony Evans III, stopping Mississippi State’s outstanding wide receiver for a 15-yard loss after Evans threw the ball out of bounds.
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The Longhorns sacked Swann and Billy Puckett a combined seven times. With its second game in SEC play with seven or more sacks (Texas had 10 in the conference opener against Tennessee), 21 of the defense’s 26 sacks this season have come in league play.
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Muschamp seemed to adjust after Swann got into a rhythm early with an 8-for-8 start, playing tighter coverage and dialing up the pressure on the quarterback. The threat of the vertical passing game went away when Puckett entered the game, allowing the Longhorns to tee off on the Bulldogs.
The lost yardage on sacks contributed to Mississippi State finishing the game with 68 yards rushing, its second-lowest total of the season. Saturday’s effort against the run was the best of the season by the Texas defense, while the 1.7 yards per carry the Longhorns held the Bulldogs to was topped only by the 1.6 yards per attempt Texas held the Volunteers to on Sept. 26.
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We’ll see what (if anything) Sarkisian says about injuries after the game. Texas saw Cam Coleman, Hollywood Smothers, Kade Phillips and Graceson Littleton leave the field throughout the night.
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Mississippi State’s five sacks and eight tackles for loss established new season highs. Zach Arnett followed the plan that a lot of defensive coordinators have successfully deployed against the Longhorns, using late movement to cross up Texas’ blocking schemes and protections and throwing multiple pressures at Manning.
Until the Longhorns can do a better job of picking up games, pressures and stunts, Manning can do a better job of determining where the ball needs to go and Sarkisian can make sure he’s got built-in hot routes and safety valves to help Manning get rid of the ball, Texas will continue to see pre-snap movement and face pressure from all directions.
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The Longhorns couldn’t get the traditional running game going. Even when taking out the lost yardage on sacks, Texas ended the game with 93 rushing yards (3.4 yards per attempt).
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Along with the offensive line’s forgettable performance, I thought Sarkisian got away from the things that worked against Ole Miss, namely the quick game and working the perimeter with screens.
Clunky might be the best way to describe the offense on Saturday. Manning lost a fumble on the first drive of the third quarter for the second consecutive game and the Longhorns had five three-and-outs after finishing last week’s win over the Rebels with three.
The whole operation wasn't right for large chunks of the game.
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Mac Chiumento’s average of 38.2 yards per punt won’t cut it in closer games against better competition. The punt team has left a lot to be desired, a problem that becomes more glaring when the offense sputters.
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Texas controlled the game from the jump. Saturday’s performance wasn’t good enough to beat Missouri or LSU, but at least the Longhorns took care of business.
They can look forward to the first of three season-defining road games in November with a win in tow.
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