Texas Shuts Out and Dominates Colorado State in Season Opener

The Texas Longhorns took care of business vs. the Colorado State Rams.

Aug 31, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; The Texas Longhorns take the field before a game against Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Meullion-USA TODAY Sports / Aaron Meullion-USA TODAY Sports

AUSTIN - The Texas Longhorns season is finally off an running, and through one half of play, they hold the advantage.

That said, it hasn't all been smooth sailling.

After a promising start to their first drive, a penalty from center Jake Majors halted things in their tracks, forcing the Longhorns to punt.

Aug 31, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns cheerleader performs before a game against Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Meullion-USA TODAY Sports / Aaron Meullion-USA TODAY Sports

The defense was up to the task, however, forcing a quick three and out to get the ball back to Quinn Ewers and company.

On their next possession, the Longhorns took advantage, marching down the field behind a balanced attack, and taking the lead on a Tre Wisner touchdown from a couple of yards out.

On their next chance, the Horns came up short, however, with a Ewers pass getting tipped at the line, and intercepted by the Rams.

Fortunately for the Horns, the defense remained rock solid, stopping the Rams in their tracks yet again. And on the very next possession, the Horns extended their lead with a Bert Auburn field goal, to make the score 10-0 early in the second quarter.

One drive later, the Longhorns were back on track, with Ewers hitting Matthew Golden for each players first touchdown of the season, and giving Texas a 17-0 lead with just under six minutes to play in the half.

Things went south for Colorado State after that, with Jahdae Barron intercepting a Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass to set the Horns up with great field position across midfield.

Just a few plays later, the Longhorns were in the end zone once again, with Ewers hitting Isaiah Bond for his first Longhorns touchdown.

A quick three and out on the next Rams possession gave Texas the ball back with around one minute to play in the half with great field position once again, thanks to a fantastic 35-yard return from transfer receiver Silas Bolden.

Texas once again took advantage from there, with Ewers hitting Golden for their second scoring connection of the game, and giving the Horns a 31-0 halftime lead.

The Horns will hope to finish off the Rams for good early in the second half, and get their reserve players some much needed in-game reps the rest of the way.

Longhorns defensive players celebrates after a play as the Texas Longhorns take on Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. / Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

In the second half, it was more of the same for the Longhorns, with the defense stifeling the Rams offense on their first drive, and forcing a punt.

On the next possession, Texas took advantage yet again, running ball with authority and taking a 38-0 lead on a Jerrick Gibson touchdown from inside the five - the first in the young career for the Texas Longhorns true freshman running back.

After the drive, Ewers finished his day with an impressive stat line of 20 of 27 completions for 260 yards and three scores, with one interception.

Following the Longhorns' score, the second-team offense entered the game, led by redshirt freshman QB Arch Manning, and on his very first drive of the season, the young gunslinger showed exactly what has people so excited about his future.

On his first pass of the season, Manning hit Johntay Cook on a 40-yard dart on the run, setting Texas up deep in Rams territory. Just a couple of plays later, Manning got his first career touchdown pass, hitting Bolden on a nifty pass on a scramble for the score, extending the Horns lead to 45-0.

Manning got the ball into the end zone for the Horns once again on the next drive, sneaking it in on fourth and one to put Texas up 52-0, and putting the icing on the cake

From there, the Longhorns would polish off the game, cementing a win in their season opener, and moving to 1-0.

Texas will now turn its attention to their massive matchup with the No. 9 Michigan Wolverines next Saturday in Ann Arbor, with kick off set for 11 am central time on Fox.