Texas Longhorns Leaving Meat on Bone, Lead Texas Tech Red Raiders at Halftime
AUSTIN, Texas -- With emotions running high and major stakes on the line, the Texas Longhorns hosted their heated rival Texas Tech Red Raiders on Senior Night in Austin for what might be the final meeting between the two programs.
Despite having five possessions end in the red zone but only one touchdown in those trips, the Longhorns (10-1) used two rushing touchdowns, which was highlighted by a 69-yard scoring scamper from running back Jaydon Blue, to take a 26-7 lead headed into halftime.
There were certainly mistakes as the Longhorns offense took some time to get in rhythm, but coach Steve Sarkisian has to be pleased that Texas out-gained Texas Tech 299-108 in the first half while his defense forced two turnovers.
Texas running back Keilan Robinson (7) runs the ball in for the first touchdown of the game past Texas Tech defensive back C.J. Baskerville (9) during the first quarter of the Longhorns' game against Texas Tech.
© Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Texas cornerback Ryan Watts got injured on the first play from scrimmage and headed to the locker room after laying on the turf for a few minutes.
But despite his absence, the Texas defense made some big plays in the first half and ultimately made up for the offense's inconsistencies. Freshman cornerback Malik Muhammad somehow snagged an interception while fighting to the ground with the receiver, though the Longhorns ended up punting on the ensuing possession. Terrance Brooks had one of his own in the second quarter that gave Texas the ball right back after Quinn Ewers threw a bad pick in the end zone.
The Longhorns also got one sack apiece from Jett Bush and Anthony Hill while T'Vondre Sweat had a pass breakup and continued to wreck havoc in the trenches.
Tech answered the 10-0 deficit with a one-yard rushing touchdown from Behren Morton that capped a four-play, 44-yard drive. The Red Raiders had stolen some momentum on the road.
But from here, the Longhorns started to take the game over. The big touchdown from Blue was followed by a blocked punt from Michael Taaffe and another field goal. Texas eventually scored 16 unanswered after leading 10-7, but it certainly could've been more.
Ewers interception appeared to be costly, but Brooks' takeaway allowed the Longhorns to tack on another field goal despite getting into the red zone again. Texas added more points on a fourth field goal in the final seconds of the half after Tech turned it over on downs.
The Longhorns will receive the second-half kickoff.
