Gunnar Helm Steps Up For Longhorns' Passing Game In Loss To Oklahoma

Gunnar Helm kept the passing attack alive in a close loss to Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.

In heart-breaking losses, one tends to look for positives to hold on to moving forward. At least Texas has another weapon added to Quinn Ewers' disposal for the remainder of the season. 

With Ja'Tavion Sanders limited due to an ankle injury, the Longhorns turned to Gunnar Helm as the new security blanket for short gains. Consider that mission accomplished as the 6-5, 250-pound junior hauled in four passes for 67 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 34-30 loss to No. 12 Oklahoma at the Red River Showdown in the Cotton Bowl. 

“My number was called, and I was just trying to do whatever I can do,” Helm said. “We knew JT (Sanders) wasn't 100% this week, so I just thought I could do that.” 

Sanders, a sure-fire chain-mover destined to hear his name called early next April in the 2024 NFL Draft, left early in last week's 40-14 win over Kansas. His impact was missed, but it shouldn't have been a deciding factor in a four-point loss against the long-standing rival, which now has the inside track to Arlington for one more shot at a Big 12 title. 

Few teams boast a passing unit featuring talents like Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington and freshman sensation Jonhtay Cook. The pass-catching quartet has proven their ability to move sticks and push forward toward the end zone. 

And Helm belongs in the conversation despite his limited reps. Entering Saturday, the Colorado native had only totaled eight catches for 95 yards. His four catches marked a career-best in reception. 

His 22-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter gave Texas (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) a 14-10 lead with 9:27 remaining in the half. As Helm headed back to the sidelines, he gifted Sooners' fan his seal approval, blowing a kiss to ignite a fire from the stands. 

“Honestly, it's kind of a blur," Helm said. "I just saw an opportunity for myself, and I made the play.”

The touchdown was a highlight moment for Helm. It was also one of the few drives that ended in near-flawless fashion. Countless errors early cost the Longhorns late and kept Oklahoma (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) in the running to pull off the upset. 

Steve Sarkisian put faith in Bert Auburn to drill a 47-yard field goal to break the 27-27 tie with 1:17 remaining. Brent Venables trusted Dillon Gabriel to double the scoring and send Oklahoma home undefeated. 

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (No. 8) rushes into the end zone for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Showdown  / USA TODAY

Both scored according to plan, thus proving to be the difference between victory and defeat. Gabriel, making his first start in the rivalry, drove the Sooners 75 yards in less than a minute, finding freshman receiver Nic Anderson at the end corner of the end zone for a 3-yard score. 

Ewers, who finished 31-of-37 passing for 346 yards and a touchdown against two interceptions, could only heave up a Hail Mary and pray for a miracle. The football Gods donned a dark shade of red in the final installment of the Big 12's pinnacle rivalry, thus allowing the Sooners to secure revenge for last season's 49-0 debacle. 

“We just didn’t execute what we’re supposed to,” Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron said.

Sarkisian said the Longhorns still control their own destiny en route to a winner-take-all rematch in early December. He's not wrong. Texas must win out, but would hold a tiebreaker against another other one-loss opponent. 

“I expect us to get back on the horse,” Sarkisian said. “This is a tight-knit group. I’m super proud of them for what they bring every single day. I was proud of them today, and so we’ll go one game at a time.”

Helm agreed, saying the Longhorns would use their bye week to regroup by studying the film to avoid another blundering performance.

"We're not going to harp on it too much,” Helm said. “You know, we're going to learn from the loss, and we're going to come back on Monday, get back to work and regroup, and start knocking out more teams one by one.”

The Longhorns will remain idle in Week 7 before heading to Houston to take on the Cougars at TDECU Stadium on Oct. 21.