Texas pushes past Wyoming: our staff takeaways from Longhorns' 31-10 home win
It wasn't pretty. And when you're a top-five team knowing that the CFP selection committee will have decisions to make in December, style points do count. And so Texas' 31-10 win over Wyoming tonight was, yes, a win, but it wasn't one of those wins you want if you're a national championship contender.
Still, a win is a win and Texas is 3-0. For the Longhorns, tonight's final score was worth the wait.
Our takeaways from Saturday's win:
Did Texas pass the eye test?
No.
You don't from toppling Alabama in Tuscaloosa by 10 points and then sleep-walk through three quarters at home against Wyoming, which dropped its final three games last year and is considered at best a possible contender in the Mountain West, and come away as having impressed.
At least Texas righted itself and won the fourth quarter, leaving everyone — including AP voters — with positive vibes.
We won't truly know the context of last Saturday's win over Alabama until we know how Texas' and Alabama's seasons play out. We pointed out earlier this week the possible similarities in last week's win over Alabama and Texas' 25-22 win at Ohio State in 2005 — a win that ended up sparking the Horns' national championship.
How Texas followed up that win in Columbus: a 51-10 win over Rice, a 51-20 win over Missouri. It wasn't a sleepwalk past Rice or a lethargic win over Mizzou.
Quinn Ewers is still finding his way
Quinn Ewers may not be that consistent Heisman Trophy candidate we thought he could be after the big win over Alabama. He struggled for much of tonight, finishing 11-of-21 for 131 yards, two touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Those passing numbers were inflated by Xavier Worthy's 44-yard catch-and-score, but to his credit, Ewers continues to protect the ball. No interceptions through three games.
Jonathon Brooks bulls his way to a big game
Jonathon Brooks was ready for the spotlight. With freshman running back CJ Baxter ruled out of the game with a foot injury, Brooks stepped into the starting role and responded with a career-high 164 yards on 21 carries. Brooks led the team in rushing even before this game, and he may have earned himself the starting role regardless of Baxter’s health.
Baxter should be back for the Big 12 opener next week. As a team, the Horns averaged 6 yards a carry.
The defense came to play (again)
Another strong showing by Pete Kwiatkowski's defense. Remember when we were wondering how Gary Patterson's departure might affect things? The Horns held Wyoming two two scoring drives 291 total yards and an interception. There was one sack. Jerrin Thompson shined with his pick-six. Barryn Sorrell had a sack. Byron Murphy II was active (and caught a touchdown, too), Vernon Broughton flashed on a play or two and the linebackers were key.
Steve Sarkisian's calling some right shots
There were a couple of more fourth-down gambles that Sarkisian tried. Texas converted each time. There was a reverse-pass play for Worthy, there was the gadget pass to Murphy for a touchdown when he lined up at fullback, and Savion Red had a couple of nice fourth-down conversions out of the Wildcat. Texas didn't test Wyoming deep like Ewers has against Rice and Alabama, but you know more of those are coming.
Texcetera
Jaydon Blue lost a fumble with 5:56 left to play. It was Texas' first turnover of the season. A Texas team has never started a season without a turnover after three games. ... Right guard Cole Hutson was lost late in the first quarter with a lower leg injury.
Next up for Texas: at Baylor
6:30 p.m. next Saturday, McLane Stadium in Waco, ABC
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Longhorns football beats Wyoming at home: our takeaways
