The No. 7 Texas Longhorns needed to get the offense in gear after failing to launch for most of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the opener. While things still looked shaky early on, Texas was able to cruise in the second half, thanks to a flurry of first-half scoring that papered over some of the biggest issues they faced in the 38-7 victory over the San Jose State Spartans.
Texas has found its receivers
The offense looked like it was going to sputter yet again, until Arch Manning connected with Parker Livingstone on the game’s longest play, an 83-yard touchdown that sparked the offensive onslaught from Texas in the second quarter. The individual effort from Livingstone made the difference on that play, as he adjusted back to the ball on the wheel route before repositioning himself and outrunning the defenders for the score. That was the first of two touchdowns for the pair, connecting on an RPO in the red zone less than 90 seconds of game time later to put Texas up 14-0. Livingtsone finished the game with 128 yards and two touchdowns on five targets, 74 of those coming after the catch.
Not to be outdone, tight end Jack Endries got in on the action with a pair of explosive receiving touchdowns of his own. All 52 of his receiving yards came on his pair of first-half catches, both of which resulted in touchdowns, putting Texas up 28-0 in five minutes of game time across the first and second quarters. If Manning can continue to build rapport and rhythm with his receivers at this level, the Texas offense will find its footing.
The defense is disruptive
We knew the defense would be good again, but one of the Longhorns’ ability to force turnovers was their superpower a year ago. It didn’t show up against Ohio State, but came back in a major way against San Jose State, with four takeaways and even more disruptive plays. Texas turned the Spartans over four times in the first half, with three fumbles and an interception, three coming on consecutive drives. Star linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. did his best Derrick Johnson impression during that run, forcing two fumbles with a peanut punch and jarring the ball loose during the course of the tackle.
Not only did they turn them over, but Texas got into the backfield early and often, keeping SJSU from getting into a complete rhythm with their high-octane spread attack. The Longhorns brought down Spartans’ quarterback Walter Egan twice in the game, with seven hurries and three tackles for loss in the contest, with defensive tackle Marad Watson leading the charge. Emblematic of their drive to disrupt is the tipped pass by Liona Lefau, knocking a fourth-down pass off-target to end the Spartans’ last scoring threat against the first unit.
Texas still has a lot to clean up
One of the biggest storylines entering the season was Texas’ red zone and third-down efficiency, which once again proved costly against Ohio State. While it didn’t cost them the game against San Jose State, the same issues reared their ugly heads once again. Texas was 2-of-12 on third downs, with an average distance to go of 9.7, with the lone conversion coming on a 3rd and 3 that turned into the 83-yard touchdown to Parker Livingstone.
Perhaps even more frustrating is the Longhorns’ continued penchant for killer penalties, finishing the game with 12 penalties for 115 yards. It is even more frustrating when you look at the hidden yards in those penalties, with the Longhorns erasing 110 yards and a touchdown via offensive penalties, while giving San Jose State two free first downs defensively. Thinking back to the first score of the Ohio State game, capping a drive that was extended by a pair of defensive penalties, it’s clear to see that this will cost Texas a game again later in the season.
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