Ex-Texas Players Critique Longhorns’ Offensive Struggles
The Texas Longhorns faced significant criticism after their recent narrow win against the Kentucky Wildcats. The game, held at Kroger Field, ended with Texas claiming a 16-13 victory in overtime. Despite being favored by 12.5 points, the Longhorns struggled offensively, reflecting the frustrations expressed by Texas fans and former players alike.
Offensive Challenges for Texas Longhorns
During the match, Texas managed only 179 yards of total offense compared to Kentucky’s 395. The Wildcats handily won the time of possession battle, dominating for nearly 20 minutes longer than Texas. The Longhorns recorded a mere eight first downs, demonstrating severe inefficiencies on offense.
Quarterback Arch Manning completed just 44% of his passes, averaging 4.9 yards per completion. Additionally, the running game failed to produce significant yardage. These shortcomings prompted former Longhorns to voice their concerns on social media.
Former Players Weigh In
- Malik Jefferson, linebacker from 2015-2017, highlighted the offensive line’s struggles.
- Charles Omenihu, defensive tackle from 2015-2018, emphasized the need for important decisions regarding the offense.
- Emmanuel Acho, linebacker from 2008-2011, expressed disappointment with the overall offensive performance.
- Tope Imade, offensive lineman from 2016-2021, pointed out the team’s inability to move the line of scrimmage.
Despite these offensive issues, Texas boasts one of the best defenses in the nation. Currently, they rank third in scoring defense, allowing only 11.3 points per game, and fifth in run defense, conceding 83.3 yards per game. This strong defensive performance has been a silver lining amid offensive struggles.
Current Standings and Upcoming Matches
After the victory over Kentucky, Texas improved its record to 5-2 and holds a 2-1 standing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Next, they will face Mississippi State, who is currently 4-3 with a 0-3 SEC record, on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Starkville. The excitement surrounding this matchup may provide an opportunity for Texas to address its offensive woes and regain momentum.
