Texas football: Texas vs. Kansas Live Game Thread

Follow along live as the Longhorns prepare to get back in the win column against the Jayhawks

Setting the stage 

• The Longhorns are back at home for the first time in a month, eager to put a tough 34-27 loss to Oklahoma behind them. Will Texas avoid a hangover?

• After a week of physical practices, how improved with Texas be tacking? 

• Can the Texas wide receivers bounce back from what was probably their worst outing of the year against Oklahoma? Particularly younger guys like Jake Smith, Brennan Eagles and Malcolm Epps.

• Will Texas make some things happen in the return game after some costly special teams miscues? 

• Can Texas re-establish the clear advantage it had over opponents in the trenches before the game in the Cotton Bowl?

Pregame notes 

For the uniform people out there, Texas' throwbacks look clean. Everything is tastefully done. 

This game does not look like a sellout, with quite a few empty seats sprinked through both the upper and lower bowls. There is a lack of buzz from the home crowd so far. It will likely fall on the Longhorns to create their own energy early to get the crowd into this one. 

Roschon Johnson and Keontay Ingram both ran reps with the first-team offense warming up. It seems pretty likely we'll see both of those guys. 

Dave Gbenda is warming up with the first team at linebacker. He's likely to start. 

Same with DeMarvion Overshown, who looks to be the starting safety. 

First quarter 15:00 Texas 0, Kansas 0 

Already improved decision making in the return game, letting the opening kickoff go out of bounds to start at the 35. 

A couple of nice runs for two first downs for Texas. Saw Roschon Jonson take a direct snap. Could be a new wrinkle in Texas' game. 

Elinger hits Brennan Eagles on the right side for a big gain, then Roschon Johnson gashes Kansas up the middle for a 24-yard touchdown run. 

6 Play, 65 yard touchdown drive 2:04 

First Quarter 12:56 Texas 7, Kansas 0

Impressive first drive for Texas. Not only did they own the line of scrimmage, but playmakers were able to make the most of the space given to them. Johnson looked like a No. 1 guy running the ball. 

Kansas starts at the 25-yard line. Pooka Williams tries the middle of the field but gets stonewalled on the first play of the game. 

Kansas goes deep down the left side. Anthony Cook called for a pass interference penalty to move the ball to the Kansas 41. 

Personal foul hands to the face. Back to back penalties have Kansas down to the Texas 40. 

Pooka Williams for 12 yards to the left to the Kansas 28-yard line. 

Kansas fumbles the snap on third and long. Loss of one will bring on the field goal team for a 46-yard attempt. 

The kick is no good. Kansas comes away with no points on its opening drive. Texas will take over at its own 28. 

First quarter 9:56 Texas 7, Kansas 0

Keontay Ingram out with the offense for this drive. 

Elinger goes to Cade Brewer for eight yards on first down. He's spreading the ball around early. 

Ingram gets his first carry of the game so far, goes for four yards and a first down.

Ehlinger back to Brewer. This one for 12 yards to the Kansas 47.  

Ehlinger finds Collin Johnson on a stop route. Johnson turns upfield for another first down up to the Kansas 27. 

Keaontay Ingram makes a catch and turns upfield for a gain of eight. Then right back to Johnson for another first down. Texas down to the Kansas 15. 

Ehlinger throws his first incomplete pass of the game so far, a crossing route to Collin Johnson. 

Jake Smith picks up five to make it third and five from the Kansas 10. 

Ehlinger goes right back to Smith, this time for a 10-yard touchdown pass. 

First quarter 6:31 Texas 14, Kansas 0 

Pooka Williams breaks a 65-yard run right up the middle of the Texas defense to set Kansas up with a first and 10 on the Longhorn 10. 

Kansas' Carter Stanley just ran over DeMarvion Overshown for a gan of four. 

Third and four from the Texas 5 and Texas forces an incomplete pass. Overshown jumped the out rout. 

Kansas converts on this field goal attempt. Six play, 74-yard drive takes 2:25 off the clock and makes the score 14-3 Texas. 

First Quarter 4:01 Texas 14, Kansas 3 

A few early notes:

• Kansas has yet to complete a pass. All 91 yards have come on the ground. 

• Ehlinger has completed passes to five different receivers. 

• Roschon Johnson leads the team with 20 yards rushing so far. 

D'Shawn Jamison runs the ball out from the 1-yard line out to to the Texas 13. That had shades of last week's head-scratching return decisions all over it. 

Ehlinger hits Duvernay for a first down, tack on 15 yards for a facemask penalty to move the ball out to the Texas 41. 

Ehlinger sacked for the first time today. Eight yard loss back to the 33. 

Malcolm Epps looked like he dropped a sure first down on a great throw from Ehlinger. Couldn't tell if the Kansas player got a hand on it. 

Brennan Eagles with a huge gain on third down to set up a fourth and two from the Texas 49. Longhorns are going for it. 

Direct snap to Jake Smith doesn't work. He ran right into Zach Shackleford in the backfield. Kansas takes over at the 50. 

First Quarter 1:31 Texas 14, Kansas 3 

Kansas runs the ball on back-to-back plays then converts its first third down of the game on a throw from Carter Stanley to Stephon Robinson. First down Jayhawks from the Texas 39. 

Kansas clearly attacking Texas in the flat and testing the Longhorns' tackling prowess. So far Texas is making the one-on-one plays. 

Second Quarter 15:00 Texas 14, Kansas 3

First quarter stats. 

Carter Stanley quarterback keeper for 15 yards on third and three. Down to the Texas 17.

Right back to Pooka Williams. He gets seven yards to bring up a second and three. 

Stanley on the keeper to the left side for a first down at the Texas two.  

After a false start moves the ball back five yards Pooka Williams squirts through the line for a 7-yard touchdown. Tack on 15 yards to the kickoff after a 15-yard penalty on B.J. Foster for unsportsmanlike conduct. 

Kansas scoring drive goes nine plays for 50 yards 3:17 off the clock. 

Second Quarter 13:24 Texas 14, Kansas 10 

Side note: Cast members of the movie The Sandlot are here. They just showed them on the big screen. Not going to lie, the loudest ovation of the day so far goes to the guy who played Hamilton Porter. 

Keontay Ingram with his longest run of the night so far, 16 yards out to the Texas 34. 

Four straight carries for Ingram now. Texas into Kansas territory at the Jayhawk 48. 

Ehlinger goes to Eagles for two yards on the left side. 

Back to Eagles again, this time the ball is behind him and dropped. Third and eight. 

Seven yards on the slant to Jake Smith. Texas has another fourth down decision to make. 

Ehlinger goes to Cade Brewer, but the pass misses the mark. Texas gives the ball back to the Jayhawks on another failed fourth-down conversion. 

Note: It may be a little bit of Monday morning quarterbacking here, but Texas was gutting Kansas with the run, then went five-wide on three straight plays. I can understand changing things up, but one would think you would want at least the threat of the run in there when you are throwing in those situations. 

Second quarter 10:25 Texas 14, Kansas 10 

Carter Stanley goes deep to Andrew Parchment good for 50 yards down to the Texas 10. 

Carter Stanley goes right over the middle to score and give Kansas its first lead of the game. 

The scoring drive was four plays, 60 yards 1:47 off the clock. 

Second quarter 8:03 Kansas 17, Texas 14 

Two rushing attempts to Roschon Johnson for minimal gain brings up third and seven. 

Ehlinger sacked on third down. Not the drive Texas was looking for at all there. 

Nice punt by Texas, but a decent Kansas return. Ball at the Longhorn 41 first and 10 Jayhawks. 

Five yard gain on a tunnel screen. DeMarvion Overshown came up and made a nice hit hoping to energize this crowd. 

Texas defense gets a three-and-out, something they needed in the absolute worst way there. 

Texas will start this drive from the 21-yard line. The Longhorns need something to spark some momentum here. 

Keaontay Ingram with a big run for 32 yards to Texas 48. He had a huge hole on that one. 

Devin Duvernay drops a wide receiver screen pass. Might be his first-ever drop. 

Ehlinger goes for 24 yards on third down to the Kansas 24. First down Texas. 

Ingram back to work with back-to-back four-yard gains. Third and two from the 16. 

Ehlinger hits Duvernay on the left side for a first down. First and goal from the 10. 

Speed option works for five yards to the 5-yard line. Third and goal. 

Ehlinger hits Brennan Eagles on a slant route for a five yard touchdown pass. Much-needed drive from Texas. 

That touchdown drive was 10 plays, 84 yards and took 2:51 off the clock. 

Second Quarter 2:15 Texas 21, Kansas 17 

Note: Ingram looks like he's getting into a rhythm today. He's finding the hole and making some people miss in the secondary. It's a reminder that when he's at his best, he's still pretty darn good. 

Nice pass from Stanley to turn a second-and-long into a third-and-two. Big conversion with 1:09 left on the clock before halftime. 

Pooka Williams with a spectacular 25-yard run. Originally called a touchdown, but brought back to the Texas 32 where he was clearly out of bounds. 

Texas takes a timeout. Second and 10 from the 32 with 56 seconds to go before the first half. 

Pooka Williams takes a screen pass down to the Texas 20-yard line. 

Kansas takes two close shots at the end zone, but can't quite convert. The Jayhawks will settle for a field goal attempt. 

Joseph Ossai gets up and blocks the field goal attempt. That's a big play for Texas. 

Halftime: Texas 21, Kansas 17 

First half stats 

First half notes

• Texas moved the ball on offense and is on pace for 566 total yards, but it hasn't felt like a great day for them on that side of the ball. 

• A couple of times play calling got in the way when the Longhorns had successful drives going on the ground. They would shift to pass-heavy formations after big gains. Ehlinger and his receivers were just a hair off on some of their normal short game stuff. It led to a couple of turnovers on downs. 

• Yes, the Kansas offense was aided by some good field position because of failed fourth downs, but the Jayhawk offense is moving the ball regardless. They are on pace for 534 yards of total offense and are averaging 7.5 yards per play to Texas' 6.5. 

• Texas is tackling better than it did against Oklahoma, but still missing a few shots to bring guys down. Some of it comes down to Pooka Williams being one of the best players in the league, but the Longhorns have to make plays, even on elite guys. 

Second half questions 

•  A lot of what Texas saw in the first half was brand new from a brand new OC. Can the Longhorns adjust on defense?

• Will Texas go back to the ground, then try to set up play-action off of it?

• Can this team produce some energy on a day when it seems to be at a premium in this stadium?

Third Quarter 15:00 Texas 21, Kansas 17 

Carter Stanley hits Kwamie Lassiter on the right side for a Kansas first down to the Jayhawk 41. We have a Kansas player down on the field. 

Stanley goes deep on the right sideline, DeMarvion Overshown made a great play to break it up. 

Another Kansas conversion. This one an 11-yard pass from Stanley to Daylon Charlot. Ball moves to the Texas 48. 

Stanley hits Andrew Parchment for 22 yards down to the Texas 27. 

Another third-down conversion, this one a quarterback sneak gives Kansas a first and 10 from the Texas 16. 

Pooka Williams to the left side for eight. Sets up third and one. 

Straight ahead for the first down off tackle by Williams. Nothing fancy about that. Kansas just won up front. 

Stanley on the slant to Stephon Robinson for a 9-yard touchdown pass. Kansas will take the lead to start the second half. 

Kansas scoring drive: 14 plays, 75 yards 5:12 off the clock

Third Quarter 9:48 Kansas 24, Texas 21 

Note: There were no tricks or anything to catch Texas off guard, that was an impressive physical drive from Kansas with big plays from the quarterback. 

Ehlinger on a keeper for five to the Texas 30. 

Ehlinger again, this time for 17 to move the ball out to the Texas 42. 

Ehlinger hits Duvernay for 13 yards. Moves the ball to the Kansas 40. 

Ingram is carrying people for a long run down to the Kansas 26. 

Incomplete pass, followed by a sack from Kansas. That brings up third and 16 from the Texas 32. 

Ehlinger hits Collin Johnson to get the ball down to the 26 and set up a 39-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker. 

Scoring drive: Nine plays, 54 yards 2:49 off the clock. 

Third Quarter 6:59 Texas 24, Kansas 24 

Notes: Texas still struggling with protection on loops and stunts from defensive linemen. The sack was a drive-killer. 

Pooka Williams around the right side for eight yards to the Kansas 33-yard line. 

Williams just shucked a Texas tackler during his 20-yard run for a first down to the Texas 47. 

Holding makes it First and 20 from the Kansas 43. 

DeMarvion Overshown comes up with a huge sack for a loss of seven on third and 20. That was the first sack of the night for Texas. The first punt of the second half for Kansas. 

Note: Aided by a penalty, Texas got aggressive and sent pressure for what seemed like the first time on third down. It was effective and resulted in a sack. Longhorns now have a chance to reclaim the lead. 

Ehlinger to Duvernay for a first down to the Texas 34. 

Back to Eagles for eight, sets up a third and two from the 43. 

Holding penalty on Sam Cosmi will move the ball back to the 33 for third and 11. 

Ehlinger goes for 16 to convert on third down. He's doing a lot of this himself right now. 

Back to Duvernay for four yards into Kansas territory at the Jayhawk 48. 

Ehlinger on another keeper down to the 44. We've got another big fourth down and two. 

Roschon Johnson up the middle for a first down. Texas won the line of scrimmage at a crucial time there. 

Fourth Quarter 15:00 Texas 24, Kansas 24 

Note: Well this one is definitely going to be a four-quarter battle. Kansas is gaining confidence by the quarter, but the Texas depth may become a factor down the stretch. If you are the Longhorns, it's come down to escaping this one and getting out of here with your Big 12 title hopes intact. 

Roschon Johnson with a nifty move and a hurdle to get 11 yards and move it just inside the Kansas 30. 

Ehlinger to Devin Duvernay for a 14-yard touchdown. Texas takes over the lead. 

Scoring drive: 12 plays 79 yards 4:41 off the clock

Fourth Quarter 14:01 Texas 31, Kansas 24 

Note: Big answer for Texas when they needed one. The Longhorns were able to get physical and wear down the smaller Kansas front with some nice runs. The Duvernay scoring play looked a lot like the Texas team we saw earlier in the season. 

Kansas starts at the 30 after a touchback and an offside penalty. 

Carter Stanley looking cold as ice in the pocket with a 14-yard throw on third and eight. First down at the Kansas 44. 

Pooka Williams for no gain on two straight plays. Texas maybe starting to win the line of scrimmage on defense as well. 

Stanley went to the right side, incomplete but draws a pass interference that will give Kansas 15 yards and another set of downs up to the Texas 40. 

Crowd didn't like it, but probably the right call. Anthony Cook didn't look for the ball. 

Stanley goes downfield on three straight attempts. Good pressure and coverage from Texas to force a punt with 10:29 to go in the game. 

Ehlinger throws a huge, huge interception over the middle to Najee Stevens-McKenzie. 

Kansas takes over at the Texas 16. 

Pooka Williams 16 yards through the Texas defense on the first play of the drive for a Kansas touchdown. 

Scoring drive: One play, 16 yards 0:08

The extra point kick is blocked by Malcolm roach, then returned for two points by D'Shawn Jamison for a safety. 

Fourth Quarter 10:06 Texas 33, Kansas 30 

Another Kansas kick out of bounds. Texas takes over on the 35-yard line. 

Ingram back-to-back carries for a total of three yards. Big third and seven coming up. 

Ehlinger making people miss, picked up 19 clutch yards to the Kansas 43. 

Ehlinger hits Duvernay for a 43 yard touchdown. Texas quickly strikes again. 

Scoring drive: Four plays, 65 yards 1:35 off the clock. 

Fourth Quarter 8:32 Texas 40, Kansas 30 

Note: What a crazy series of plays that was. We went from Texas clinging to a seven-point lead to a potentially tied game to a three-point Texas lead up to a 10-point advantage within four plays. You can feel the momentum swing toward Texas here. 

Kansas starts from the 25 after a touchback. 

Stanley to Robinson for nine. Followed by Williams for two for a first down.   

Carter Stanley for 36 yards down to the Texas 28-yard line. Kansas back in business here with 7:21 to go. 

Stanley's pass incomplete after a review. Second and 10 from the 28. 

Stanley misses on the left sideline. That will force a 46-yard field goal attempt. Those have been an adventure to say the least so far. 

46-yard attempt is good. 

Scoring drive: Seven plays, 47 yards 1:49 off the clock. 

Fourth Quarter: 6:56 Texas 40, Kansas 33 

Note: The Jayhawks just don't want to go away and it's not all Pooka Williams.  Carter Stanley has made some big plays with both his arm and his legs today to keep this game close down the stretch. 

Kickoff is a touchback. 

Ehlinger hands to Roschon Johnson, loss of two. Second and 12 for Texas from the 23-yard line. 

Ehlinger hits Jake Smith, who runs for a first down before fumbling. Ruling on the field is Kansas ball, but it looks like Cade Brewer may have been the first to recover it. This whole thing is under review. 

The ruling on the field stands. Kansas ball. 

Jayhawks first down at the Kansas 36 yard line. 6:05 to go in this game. 

Stanley hit Parchment right on the money, but it was dropped in the end zone. Third and 10. 

Third down pass broken up by Cook. That's gonna bring up fourth and 10. 

Stanley hits Daylon Charlot on the right side. That's one of the best catches I've ever seen

If it stands it will be Kansas ball on the Texas 13 and a huge fourth-down conversion for the Jayhawks. 

The play stands. First and 10 Kansas 5:12 to go in this game. 

Pooka Williams around the left side for two yards. 

Stanley hits Parchment in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown what a throw and catch from the Jayhawks. 

Scoring drive: Six plays, 36 yards 1:54 off the clock

Fourth Quarter 4:25 Texas 40, Kansas 40 

Another Kansas kick out of bounds. That gives Texas the ball at the 35 again. Texas would be in trouble if it weren't winning on special teams. 

Ingram loses three yards. Second and 13 from the Texas 32. 

Texas tries to set up a middle screen, but it was well-scouted. Incomplete. Third and 13 from the 32. 

Ehlinger hits Collin Johnson for 14 on third and 13. A big conversion for Texas. 

Ehlinger hits Cade Brewer for a big 51-yard gain to the Kansas three. 

Ingram goes in on the next play for a 3-yard touchdown. 

Scoring drive: Five plays, 65 yards 1:38 off the clock

Fourth Quarter 2:47 Texas 47, Kansas 40 

Touchback. Kansas ball on the 25-yard line. 

Two passes for eight yards followed by a third-down run for by Pooka Williams for four. First and 10 at the Kansas 37. 

Two incomplete passes have the Jayhawks facing another third and 10 with 1:47 to go. This is clearly four-down territory though. 

Kansas took a timeout. Texas countered with its own timeout. It will be third and 10 from the 37 when we come back from this contest of clock stoppage. 

Stanley hits Williams for a gain of six yards. Will bring up a fourth and four. 

Stanley hits Kwamie Lassiter for 36 yards to the Texas 22. Big time play. 

Stanley right over the middle to Robinson for a 22-yard touchdown pass. That makes it a one-point game. Will Kansas go for two and the win?

Note: You have to feel like the Hatter is going to drop the hammer here. Might as well go for the win in regulation if you are an underdog on the road. 

Kansas going for the win. 

Carter Stanley hits Daylon Charlot in the back of the end zone for the two-point conversion.

Scoring drive: Eight plays, 75 yards 1:36 off the clock. 

Fourth Quarter 1:11 Kansas 48, Texas 47 

Fair catch by Cade Brewer. Ball at the 24-yard line. 

Ineligible player downfield on Texas. First and 15 from the 20. 

Ehlinger over the middle to Johnson for 16. First down at the Texas 36. 

Ehlinger to Ingram for four yards. Timeout Texas. 46 seconds

Ehlinger's pass is tipped. Third down and 6, 39 seconds. 

Ehlinger runs up the middle for eight and a first down. 26 seconds to go. 

PAss incomplete. Intended for Johnson. Second and 10. 

Ehlinger hits Johnson for 20 yards down to the 32-yard line. First down Texas. 14 seconds to go. 

Ehlinger hits Johnson again down to the 25. 11 yards on the play. Eight seconds to go.

Ehlinger to Duvernay for five yards down to the Kansas 15. Cameron Dicker to attempt a field goal to win from 33.  

Ehlinger hits from 33 to hold off what would have been a massive upset. 

Scoring drive: 10 plays, 60 yards 1:11 off the clock. 

FINAL Texas 50, Kansas 48 

Note: We are going to have so much to unpack from this one. Dicker the kicker saved the day in a game where special teams were paramount.