BIG XII Week 10 Review – Longhorns cant play for 60
When Steve Sarkesian was hired to be the new head coach of the Texas Longhorns, optimism reached fever pitch in Austin. Texas fans watched Sark put up historic numbers in 2020 with his electric Alabama offence and they too, saw Heisman trophies and National Championships in their future. That optimism has all but been completely extinguished as Texas took their fourth loss on the bounce, the first time they have lost that consecutively since 2010. Not a great way to start the BIG XII Week 10 Review, but there really is trouble brewing down south.
In the previous three games Texas gave up three double digit leads to their opponents. To some extent, those games were preferable for Sark because his team actually scored points. Against the Iowa State Cyclones they could only manage seven.
Texas’ defence had the Cyclones’ number in the first half, limiting them to three points. But like the previous three weeks gone by, the Longhorns just couldn’t finish. Iowa State kept banging on the door and when it finally came open, it came off its hinges.
Changes at the half meant hitting paydirt
27 unanswered points from Matt Campbell’s guys, spearheaded by Breece Hall’s 19 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns, was the end for the Longhorns. Xavier Hutchinson joined the fun in the third quarter on a trick play that not at all pretty, but ruthlessly effective. His pass to fellow receiver Tarique Milton went for a touchdown to make it 16-7. Brock Purdy didn’t have much to do and had a very quiet day of 27/38 passes for 252 yards and no scores. He made some important throws when he had to but Hall was once again the star of the game.
Texas now have a sub-five-hundred record at 4-5. Sark will need a strong end to the season to keep the Texas board from getting buyer’s remorse. Iowa State recover after their shock loss last weekend and move to 6-3 overall, tied with Baylor in conference play.
A huge three-touchdown game from Deuce Vaughn catapulted Kansas State to a win against in-state rival Kansas on Saturday. Chris Kleiman will be satisfied with a dominant performance from his Wildcats in Lawrence, limiting the Jayhawks to just 274 total yards.
Another tough one for Lance Leipold’s guys who are without a conference win this season. The one positive for the Jayhawks came from receiver Kwamie Lassiter II, who went for 82 yards and a score on six receptions.
Wildcats quarterback Skylar Thompson had a very Skylar Thompson type of day, going for 19/24 for 244 yards and one touchdown. His main job was to feed star player Deuce Vaughn and he did that efficiently. Vaughn ran for 162 yards and three scores on just 11 carries, averaging 14.7 yards a rush.
The Wildcats secure themselves a bowl game at 6-3 whilst Kansas slip to 1-8 overall.
This should’ve been my ‘Game of the Week’ pick. Nobody saw this one being close. With TCU in decline and without a long-term head coach it seemed like an easy Baylor win. I, and many others were very wrong.
Chandler Morris got the start at quarterback for the Horned Frogs and he didn’t fumble the opportunity. He threw for a massive 461 yards on 29/41 passes, two of which were touchdowns. He was also their leading rusher as once again Zach Evans was out. Morris quickly became acquainted with Quentin Johnston who racked up five catches for 142 yards and one score. It was their pairing that did the most damage.
It was finally the mistake-ridden game we were all waiting for Gerry Bohanon to have. He threw for 214 yards on 14/20 passes for three touchdowns and two interceptions. His connection with Tyquan Thornton and the rushing yards from Abram Smith were the main driving force of the offence, but it wasn’t enough.
Aranda’s team take their second loss of the year, slipping to 7-2. Whilst TCU get a much-needed win and move to 4-5.
Oklahoma State’s defence have held consecutive opponents out of their endzone as the Cowboys’ defence grows ever more solid. The unit also recorded eight sacks, dramatically limiting anything WVA tried to do on offence and guaranteeing their team the win.
Devin Harper and Brock Martin both recorded two sacks and three TFL’s whilst Tyler Lacey, Collin Oliver and Jason Tayor II all got one of each. The Cowboys defence simply ran riot, leaving an easy job for Spencer Sanders and the offence. Sanders had a mediocre day of 182 yards on 21/21 passes with two touchdowns and one interception. As expected, Tay Martin and Jaylen Warren were the stat leaders for the receivers and backs, respectively. They didn’t have to make explosive plays due to the defence and the Cowboys walked to the win. Martin had seven receptions for 63 yards and two scores, whilst Warren had 16 carries for 168 yards and one touchdown.
There isn’t much to say about West Virginia who were shut down offensively. Nobody rushed for over 26 yards and none of the receivers racked up more than 46 yards, a tough day all round. After a huge win against Iowa State last week, a deflating performance like this isn’t a total shock. However, Neal Brown’s seat isn’t completely cold and will be looking to rebound next week against Kansas State.
Gundy’s Cowboys move to 8-1 overall, whilst WVA slip to 4-5.
Written by Jake @dyanstybrit
