What We Learned: C.J. Baxter's Big Second-Half Leads Texas Longhorns Over Iowa State

The Texas Longhorns avoid a late-season upset on the road as they beat the Iowa State Cyclones after a big second-half turnaround.

The No. 7 Texas Longhorns avoided another nightmare defeat in Ames as they defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 26-16. However, in contrast to other games this season, it was a slow start that Texas was forced to overcome. 

So, with the Longhorns advancing to 10-1 on the season, we empty the notebook from the win.

Second Half Switch Up 

It was a very slow start for Texas in Jack Trice Stadium as the Longhorns went into the locker room with just six points (both from field goals) to show through the first 30 minutes of play. It wasn't until the second half that the Longhorns' offense got going. 

Following a Cyclones' punt on the opening drive of the third quarter, the offense found its rhythm with a mix of run and pass. The freshman running back C.J. Baxter rushed for 34 yards on four carries, while Quinn Ewers completed four of his five passes for 57 yards as he found Jordan Whittington for a 23-yard touchdown. 

That became the formula for the rest of the second half, as Steve Sarkisian went from a fairly passing-orientated gameplan to a more balanced approach, feeding Baxter 15 more carries to the tune of 81 yards. 

On the other hand, Ewers completed 10 of his 13 passes for 118 yards with two touchdowns in the second half. 

Baxter Shines in Brooks' Absence 

Nov 18, 2023; Ames, Iowa, USA; Texas Longhorns running back CJ Baxter (4) catches a pass against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium.  / Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Any worries about the effects of losing Jonathan Brooks somewhat vanished for the Longhorns as the freshman Baxter stepped up for the Longhorns to the tune of 117 yards on 20 carries. 

It wasn't until after a slow start for freshman as the Texas offense struggled to stay ahead of the chains, forcing them to rely heavily on Ewers and the passing game, which meant just five carries for Baxter. However, those struggles wouldn't continue into the final two quarters of play, as Sarkisian gave him 15 more carries to help pick up the win in Ames.

Texas Holds Off Iowa State, Moves to 10-1

Self-Inflicted Wounds 

Penalties were a major reason behind the slow start and far-from-dominant display from Texas against Iowa State. The Longhorns were penalized seven times for 54 yards, with two of those wiping touchdowns off the board. 

The first of those two penalty-negating touchdowns came on a punt return where Xavier Worthy found the endzone on an 80-yard scamper if not for an illegal block. Then, on the ensuing fourth drive, a 23-yard touchdown pass from Ewers to Mitchell was called back due to holding.