Tag: first half recap

No. 20 Texas leads No. 11 Oklahoma State 31-24 at the half

Defense is at a premium in Stillwater.

We have no storage of fireworks in Stillwater after an offensive slugfest between No. 20 Texas and No. 11 Oklahoma State. The Longhorns lead by a score of 31-24 at the half.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has not been sharp to start the game. He is 11-for-24 for 190 yards and two scores despite missing multiple easy throws. Ewers’ interception on the Longhorns’ first drive set Oklahoma State up to take a 3-0 lead.

The Texas running backs are enjoying a great game thus far. Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson have combined for 161 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Robinson added a 41-yard receiving touchdown for good measure.

Oklahoma State’s offense is slicing through Texas’ defense with ease. The Pokes have over 300 total yards as the Longhorns can not slow down the quick passing attack.

Spencer Sanders is 20-for-33 for 208 yards and an interception. His mobility continues to give Texas problems, as he has 39 yards on seven carries.

Penalties have been entirely one-sided as Texas has been penalized 11 times compared to Oklahoma State’s zero.

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First half recap of Texas’ 21-10 deficit to West Virginia

Texas struggling with West Virginia at the half.

The Texas offense was all brakes, no gas in the first quarter of the West Virginia matchup.

The Mountaineers punched the Longhorns in the mouth going up 14-0 before the Texas offense registered a first down.

Running back Roschon Johnson ran for six yards at the 11-minute mark of the second quarter to move the chains for the first time all game. The Horns continued to pound the rock on the same drive before Keilan Robinson broke off a 49-yard touchdown run.

West Virginia responded with a very easy 12 play, 82-yard touchdown drive of their own. Running back Leddie Brown capped off the drive walking into the end zone untouched from two yards out.

Texas cut into the West Virginia lead before the half with a Cameron Dicker 50-yard field goal.

Texas will receive the ball first in the second half down 21-10.

Here is a look notable at the first half stats:

  • QB Casey Thompson: 4/12 for 29 yards
  • RB Roschon Johnson: Eight carries for 52 yards
  • RB Keilan Robinson: Three carries for 57 yards and one touchdown
  • WR Xavier Worthy: Three receptions for 22 yards

West Virginia:

  • QB Jarret Doege: 20/28 for 238 yards and two touchdowns
  • RB Leddie Brown: 17 carries for 65 yards and one touchdown
  • WR Sam James: Five receptions for 64 yards and one touchdown
  • Time of possession: 21 minutes and 14 seconds

Halftime recap of Texas’ 14-10 lead over Baylor

Texas once again has a halftime lead.

Well, we find ourselves in another situation where Texas is leading a Big 12 team at halftime. In a game where both teams have left points on the field, Steve Sarkisian’s team somehow leads Baylor 14-10.

In reality, the offense should have two more touchdowns. Casey Thompson missed a wide-open touchdown to Xavier Worthy and then Joshua Moore dropped a score in anticipation of getting hit. Quite the opposite of what we have seen in previous weeks — the brakes have bit hit a bit in the first half.

Texas’ defense has played well, intercepting Gerry Bohanon twice. Running back Abram Smith has not been as effective, only rushing for 42 yards. The defensive line has been the real difference, specifically Keondre Coburn.

Bijan Robinson’s 15 rushing yards is the real story of the game. The Heisman candidate has been kept in check during his seven carries. If the Longhorns want to avoid another second-half blunder, letting No. 5 loose is going to be key. He is due to break one off eventually.

Key stats

Casey Thompson: 12/16 for 151 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception

Bijan Robinson: Seven carries for 15 yards

Xavier Worthy: Two receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown

Gerry Bohanon: 10/20 for 115 yards and two interceptions

Abram Smith: 10 carries for 42 yards

B.J. Foster/Luke Brockermeyer: One interception each

Highlights

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First half recap of Texas’ 17-13 halftime lead over Oklahoma State

Texas leads Oklahoma State 17-13 at the half.

The Longhorns are going into halftime with a 17-13 lead, but the game has not really been as close as the score indicates.

Texas’ passing game has been far from prolific and is actually why Oklahoma State has a touchdown in the first place. Casey Thompson stared down a receiver and threw a pick-six during the second quarter.  Other than that mistake the offense has been average, minus the likes of Bijan Robinson who has both of the team’s touchdowns and over 100 total yards already.

On defense, there was a major concern going into the game, mostly in reference to if they would be able to slow down Oklahoma State’s running back Jaylen Warren. He has been running wild over the past few games.

But the defense has actually looked worlds better in comparison to last week and has held Warren to 55 yards on 13 carries averaging 4.2 yards per carry. They have made life on Spencer Sanders really difficult, with D’Shawn Jamison benefiting from a bad throw and was able to pick him off.

Sanders is not the only quarterback struggling, as Thompson has been pretty far off all day outside of one deep pass to Marcus Washington who is filling in for Jordan Whittington. Thompson’s throws have been very off-target all game and after he threw the interception, he has looked very skittish in the pocket. Texas needs him to step it up in the second half, and for the defense to keep containing Warren as much as possible.

Key stats

Bijan Robinson (RB): 13 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown, and three catches for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Casey Thompson (QB): 11-of-19 for 153 yards, and one touchdown and interception.

Spencer Sanders (QB): 12-of-20 for 106 yards, and one interception

Jaylen Warren (RB): 13 carries for 55 yards, 4.3 yards per carry.

Highlights

First half recap of Texas’ Week 5 matchup against TCU

Texas leads TCU 23-17 at the half, but it hasn’t been pretty.

Texas leads TCU 23-17 at the half, but it hasn’t been pretty. Continue reading “First half recap of Texas’ Week 5 matchup against TCU”

Texas vs. Rice halftime report: Horns dominate on the ground

Texas has dominated Rice on the ground in this one, 44-0 at the half.

As expected, Texas has dominated Rice in the first half. Continue reading “Texas vs. Rice halftime report: Horns dominate on the ground”

Texas-Arkansas halftime report: Horns struggle on offense

For the first time in the Steve Sarkisian era, Texas has some adversity in front of them.

For the first time in the Steve Sarkisian era, Texas has some adversity in front of them. On the road against Arkansas, the SEC school is pitching a shutout against their old Southwest Conference rival, 16-0.

The Longhorns’ offensive line has been a real issue early on. Neither Hudson Card nor Bijan Robinson has been able to get anything going. Arkansas’ defensive line has been getting pressure consistently. Even when only sending three guys.

Jordan Whittington has a couple of key drops as well. One was in the endzone which would have put Texas on the scoreboard. The other would have been a big play down the field just before halftime, giving the offense the momentum it is craving.

Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson has done an excellent job within the offense as well. Analyst Greg McElroy even compared him to former Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton during the broadcast. Texas’ defense has not been the issue to this point but needs to make a few key stops to make a comeback.

Key stats

Hudson Card: 4 of 8, 39 passing yards

Bijan Robinson: 10 carries for 38 rushing yards

Xavier Worthy: One reception, 25 receiving yards

K.J. Jefferson: 12 of 15, 37 passing yards. Seven carries for 59 rushing yards

Texas has a long way to go if they want to complete a second half comeback against Arkansas. You can catch the rest of the game on ESPN.

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First half recap of Texas’ season opener vs Louisiana

The Steve Sarkisian era is off to a flying start with UT up on Louisiana at halftime, 14-6. Both sides of the ball have been playing well.

The Steve Sarkisian era is off to a flying start with Texas up on Louisiana at halftime, 14-6.

With Hudson Card making his first career start, most of the eyes have been on the redshirt freshman quarterback. He found running back Bijan Robinson late in the first quarter to get the scoring starting. It was an excellent play call by Sarkisian, shifting the offense multiple times to get Robinson in acres of space.

Cade Brewer was on the receiving end of the second touchdown. Both of Texas’ scoring drives have come on long drives. The ‘All Gas, No Brakes’ slogan has not been fully shown on offense quite yet. It’s been more of a grind for Sarkisian’s crew.

Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense has been playing better than imagined as well. Louisiana only has 124 yards and has yet to convert a third down. A first-quarter field goal is the only points the Ragin Cajuns have managed.

Nickel has been the base formation throughout the first half. Former walk-on Luke Brockermeyer has been all of the field at weakside linebacker.

Key stats

Hudson Card: 12 of 18, 165 yards, two touchdowns

Bijan Robinson: 10 carries for 38 yards. Three receptions for 55 yards, one touchdown

Jordan Whittington: Three receptions, 39 yards

Levi Lewis: 6 for 12, 86 yards

Going into the second half, Sarkisian will want to get the wide receiver involved more often. Xavier Worthy made an impressive play downfield for 34 yards, while Jordan Whittington has three receptions for 39 yards.

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Texas basketball vs. TCU: First half recap

The first half recap of the regular season finale between the No. 16 Texas Longhorns and the TCU Horned Frogs.

The No. 16 Texas Longhorns (16-7) are in the middle of their rematch against the TCU Horned Frogs and are hoping to end the regular season on a high note before the Big 12 Tournament. At the half, the Longhorns lead the Horned Frogs 33-29.

Jericho Sims leads all scores with 10 points in what has been another dominant game from him thus far. He’s shooting 100% from the field and has a block.

Sims has had to pick up the slack from Texas’ guard trio of Matt Coleman III, Courtney Ramey and Andrew Jones. The trio is a combined nine points on 30% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range.

Aside from RJ Nembhard and Mike Miles, no one else from TCU has had much of an impact on the game, as they’ve scored 16 of the 29 points.

Kai Jones and Jase Febres have given the Longhorns a much needed boost off the bench for a combined 12 points on 50% shooting, which may need to continue if the starters can’t land shots.

Scoring Leaders at the Half:

Jericho Sims: 10 points, 2 rebounds

RJ Nembhard: 9 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist

Mike Miles: 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

Big 12 Basketball: Texas Longhorns vs. Iowa State first half recap

First half recap in the rematch between the Texas Longhorns and Iowa State Cyclones.

The No. 14 Texas Longhorns (14-7) traveled to Ames, Iowa, on Tuesday hoping to get back into the win column after a tough loss in Lubbock to No. 18 Texas Tech last weekend. At the half, the Longhorns lead the Cyclones 38-28.

Both teams have been forcing the three point shot, but neither side has been able to consistently land it, with Texas shooting 30% and Iowa State shooing 26.7% from beyond the arch.

The Longhorns are getting a serious boost from Kai Jones off the bench with nine points and three rebounds. Texas’ guard trio of Jones, Courtney Ramey, and Matt Colman III — who underwhelmed last Saturday — are now a combined 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists against Iowa State. The trio is shooting 35.7% from the field and 25% from the three.

Forward Javan Johnson has been Iowa State’s biggest contributor with seven points on 75% shooting with two assists and rebounds for the game, but he hasn’t had much help.

The Longhorns have held control of the game so far in the contest.

Leading Scorers in the first half:

Kai Jones: 9 points, 3 rebounds

Matt Coleman III: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist

Javan Johnson: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists