CJ Vogel

TBT...

I believe I had 55–6 or 55–3

Giants fans are already campaigning for the franchise to take Ewers next spring.

Almost gameday.

One day and some change before Texas takes the field at DKR for its first home game of the season. Of course, on top of the extravagant home field extracurriculars that will be on display under the lights, the Longhorns are expected to roll big in this one. A point of emphasis coming into this game will be starting quickly, do not let the hangover of the Michigan game loom and keep an inferior opponent on the field longer than they need to be. With that said, a handful of things I want to see as the Longhorns host the fighting Jeff Traylors Saturday evening. *** Pass Rush Getting Home Texas has been consistent in getting pressure on the quarterback through two weeks, even though the overall sack numbers look a bit bleak. Only Colin Simmons has been able to bring a quarterback down to the ground so far. While the numbers do not tell the whole story about their ability to impact the game, Saturday provides a great opportunity to stat pad a bit. UTSA allowed 24 pressures a week ago to Texas State. Former Longhorn Jaylen Garth allowed five pressures and a sack on his own at right tackle, a spot Texas was able to exploit a week ago. I predicted five sacks on Monday for the Longhorn defense and I am sticking with that call. Keep No. 3's Jersey Clean In all facets of the game, this is what needs to happen for the next two weeks really. Texas has been good at it so far, a shutout from the OL against Michigan bodes very well for any postseason awards, but it is week two and that should not really be the focus. SEC play is still weeks away and even beyond then, Texas cannot allow Ewers to take unnecessary hits against a UTSA or ULM. For Ewers, this also means to protect yourself when plays break down or improvisation needs to occur. Continued Communication The Texas secondary has been absolutely tremendous through two games. Four total interceptions from four different members of the Texas secondary and a complete shutdown of a 2023 top-20 passing offense in Colorado State. There has been great communication thus far with Michael Taaffe, Andrew Mukuba, Derek Williams leading the way back deep. UTSA currently sits at 60–40 pass-run split on the season, one of the highest in the country. If the plan is to keep UTSA out of the end zone on Saturday, that will need to happen by communication being on point. Running Game Texas State ran for 195 on 4.5 yards per carry a week ago, nothing earth shattering, but enough to provide some optimism for the Longhorn running game which has not quite hit the ground in stride to begin the season. The Texas running game has been efficient, though it has yet to be as explosive as years past. Against UTSA and ULM, I am hoping to see wide running lanes for Blue, Wisner and Gibson. The explosivity is what needs to rise and for Sarkisian, this game is set up to get that group on track. Ewers' Day Done in 3 Quarters Texas is one-for-one in these type of situations. The Longhorns took care of business against Colorado State to the point where Ewers was not needed late in the ballgame and Arch Manning was able to get some valuable game reps. That should be the case again on Saturday. Every rep, every throw, every second he is on the field in front of 90,000 fans is valuable for the Texas backup QB. Should something ever happen to Ewers, these are the moments that keep the Texas season on track if Manning's number is ever called. If everything goes well, you could also see Trey Owens get his first snap as well and that really would be great.

Scary stuff man, really hope he is okay long term. Football comes second to being able to live an actual healthy life.

Can't believe ASU won that game.

That does it for today!

Sark: “Vernon Broughton had his best game as a Longhorn on Saturday.”

Sark says he stopped the Good, Bad & Ugly meeting on Monday to praise Gunnar Helm and the development he has shown since arriving in Austin. “he has shown a ton of resiliency.” Sark says you could argue he has been playing as well as anyone on the team so far this season and has been a two-time player of the week for Texas.

On the rotation between Cole Hutson and DJ Campbell. Sark says they earn playing time based off of how well they prepare in the week. Says he is hopeful to the play a few more OL. “It is a healthy competition but they are always playing for one another.”

“It’s been pretty good.” Sark says of the pass rush. Says there hasn’t been many opportunities this year especially against Colorado State. Sark says he believed the pass rush was effective against Michigan. There has been an added focus this week on containing the quarterback to alleviate the time needed for the secondary to cover downfield.

Sarkisian says if he could highlight a handful of things that have impressed him so far this season, tackling from the secondary would be on that list. “I have to credit the coaches to some degree.”

“The thing I have learned about Andrew (Mukuba) is he is a heck of a practice player.”

Sark says Texas targeting Andrew Mukuba due to his experience on the field. It definitely helped having the natural connections and area ties. “it was somewhat of a natural fit for him and obviously a very good fit for us.”

What’s most important for Silas is to keep working with a great attitude and when the ball finds you to be ready - Sark

On Silas Bolden: “It’s a deep room and the guys have been playing a lot of reps. Sometimes the ball finds you and sometimes it doesn’t.”

Ewers doesn’t consume himself with what others think of him, says Sark. Sark says Ewers is focused on putting himself in the best position to be successful at Texas regardless of outside noise.

Sark says Texas will play a lot of players. “It will be a similar format to how we played that first game.”

“I don’t think anybody has walked around our building like we’ve arrived.” Sark in the week of prep leading up to UTSA

“Obviously we are very excited for the ballgame Saturday night.” Sark referenced being under the lights several times. Says he’s excited to be back in front of the Texas faithful.

The availability is held over Zoom and should begin here shortly.

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian will speak with the media one last time ahead of Texas' meeting with UTSA at home on Saturday evening. The Longhorns come in as 35-point favorites for this matchup and are currently ranked No. 2 in the country.

Need more!!