How Xavier Worthy's Punt Return Set Early Tone In Texas Longhorns Win Over BYU

Before the second offensive possession, Texas was up 7-0 thanks to Xavier Worthy.

Steve Sarkisian has seen plenty this season on the Forty Acres. He's watched his offense score on 50-yard passes on deep shots downfield. He's watched the defense take one back to the house on a pick-six.

But Sarkisian has been waiting to see the Texas Longhorns turn a routine punt return into a touchdown. He's talked profusely about how close Xaiver Worthy and others have been from turning upfield and into the open field. 

Close wasn't the correct phrase Saturday in Texas' 35-6 win over BYU. Official is the term needed since Worthy quickly worked past three Cougars before turning on the jets for a 74-yard touchdown return. 

“We felt really good about the punt return unit and thought we might get an opportunity,” Sarkisian said postgame. “And sure enough, right off the bat, we get the big punt return from Xavier.”

Worthy, who finished with four catches for 27 yards under new quarterback Maalik Murphy, had come close to taking one back on a punt return. In Week 4's win over Baylor, the junior broke past two Bears for a 40-yard gain, but was pushed out of bounds at the Baylor 42. 

On Saturday, Worthy needed one special teams play to break the streak. The Longhorns (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) forced a quick three-and-out on Kedon Slovis that led to a booming punt from Ryan Rehkow. 

Worthy sidestepped the Cougars' outside gunner and saw space. BYU (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) players could do nothing as the future NFL star ran past everyone to make it 7-0. 

Texas Longhorns Xavier Worthy evades two BYU defenders during a punt return in the first quarter at Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin.  :: Jay Janner/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK

“I think it really brought a lot of spirit and energy to the team,” running back Jonathon Brooks said of the punt return. “We're this close, week in and week out. We said we're going to get one, and we finally got one.”

Worthy's score marked the first Texas punt return for a touchdown since D'Shawn Jamison scored against Kansas State in 2018. It also eased pressure off Murphy having to play offensive hero to score. 

Brooks said the early special teams score calmed the nerves of Murphy and the offense. The only downside? The defense only had time to wash out their mouths and catch their breath before returning to the field. 

No one seemed to be complaining, though. Barryn Sorrell was content since six points were secured. 

“Something we’ve wanted to see from our special teams is getting a touchdown,” Sorrell said. “So, I mean, we did just get the three-and-out, but now we just had to go back out there and do it again.”