Tag: texas vs kansas state

Studs and duds from 69-31 win over Kansas State

Looking back at the KSU game, UT provided a lot of optimism especially on the offensive side of the ball. Here are the studs and duds:

The Texas Longhorns should be starting their prep for the Kansas Jayhawks but due to five positive COVID-19 tests that is on hold. Continue reading “Studs and duds from 69-31 win over Kansas State”

Texas Longhorns Football: Five reasons for the 69-31 win over Kansas State

Despite dealing with off-field distractions, UT produced a good win over Kansas State. Five reasons the Longhorns pulled it off.

It was a week filled with distractions surrounding the Texas program. Constant updates and rumors about who was going to be the next head coach ruled the day. Despite that, the Longhorns blocked out the noise and got back on track with an impressive win over Kansas State.

Both sides of the ball were brilliant at times. Especially on the offensive end on the ground. Running backs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson carried the offense, combining for 399 rushing yards.

For the defense, it was about forcing turnovers. The defense put Sam Ehlinger in advantageous positions to get extra points on the board. Allowing 31 points may not seem the best, but it was an impressive performance.

Here are five reasons Texas beat Kansas State:

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Texas Longhorns vs Kansas State Wildcats: Instant analysis of the 69-31 win

If you like offense, this was the game for you. Texas got the best of KSU in a shootout, winning their sixth game of the season, 69-31.

If you like offense, this was the game for you. Texas got the best of Kansas State in a shootout, winning their sixth game of the season, 69-31.

Tom Herman and Mike Yurcich decided to get back to running the ball and did so in a dominant fashion. Both Roschon Johnson and Bijan Robinson had monster days, combing for six touchdowns. Robinson led the way with 172 yards on nine carries, while Johnson had 14 carries for 139 yards.

Kansas State was effective on the ground as well, utilizing Duece Vaughn. He led the Wildcats in rushing with 125 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Will Howard was effective as a runner as well, having 18 carries.

A lot of true freshmen were in the spotlight for the Longhorns on Saturday. Past Robinson, safety Jerrin Thompson and center Jake Majors made substantial impacts. Seeing younger plays perform well after the opt-outs of Samuel Cosmi and Caden Sterns brings a small glimmer of hope for the future.

The offensive explosion felt one week too late. Where was this efficiency against Iowa State? Yes, the Cyclones are a substantially better team than Kansas State. However, Yurcich’s play calling did not click soon enough.

Despite the big win, the elephant in the room is still Herman and his job security. Was it enough to keep him around for the rest of the season? Or will athletic director Chris Del Conte make a move being early the Kansas game on Dec. 12?

It will be a program defining week in Austin.

Full game stats

Sam Ehlinger: 20 of 27 for 274 yards and two touchdowns

Players with rushing touchdowns: Bijan Robinson (3), Roschon Johnson (3), Jordan Whittington (1)

Interceptions: Jerrin Thompson and David Gbenda

Duece Vaughn: 10 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Four receptions for 45 yards

Highlights

Texas vs. Kansas State: First half recap, RB Bijan Robinson shines

Running back Bijan Robinson recorded two touchdowns in the first half as Texas leads Kansas State.

True freshman running back Bijan Robinson continues to shine as Texas leads Kansas State 31-17 at halftime. Continue reading “Texas vs. Kansas State: First half recap, RB Bijan Robinson shines”

Texas Longhorns vs Kansas State Wildcats: First quarter recap

Texas’ day has started well, leading Kansas State 17-7. Both the offense and defense have been dominant, doing whatever they want.

Texas’ day could not have gotten off to a better start, leading Kansas State 17-7 at the end of the first quarter. Both the offense and defense have been dominant, doing whatever they want.

Starting with quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who is seven of nine with 87 yards. He has connected with four different receivers, with redshirt freshman Jordan Whittington leading the way.

On the ground, both Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson have found the endzone. It was the first touchdown of Robinson’s young career in his ninth game. Johnson notched his fourth total score of the year.

A huge question coming in was Texas’ offensive line and how they would hold up. With Samuel Cosmi opting out of the season in preparation for the NFL Draft, the blockers needed a shakeup. Derek Kerstetter has slid back to right tackle while true freshman Jake Majors is at center.

So far, no problems for Sam Ehlinger when dropping back to pass. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich has done an excellent job moving the offensive line around to make sure Kansas State’s pass rush is not effective.

Defensively, the Wildcats have moved the ball, especially on the ground. Quarterback Will Howard leads the way with 40 yards on four carries. However, the electric shake and bake power of running back Duece Vaughn broke Texas’ defense late in the quarter.

Jerrin Thompson, another true freshman, came up big with his first career interception. With Caden Sterns also opting out for the NFL Draft, Thompson was dubbed as his replacement. He did walk off the field slowly after Kansas State’s touchdown but has made a huge impact early.

First-quarter stats

Sam Ehlinger: Eight of 10 for 98 yards

Roschon Johnson: Five carries for 40 yards and one touchdown

Jordan Whittington: Two receptions for 35 yards

Duece Vaughn: One carry for 19 yards and a touchdown

Highlights

Texas Longhorns Football: Recent series history vs Kansas State

It has been a rough decade for Texas against Kansas State, having a 4-6 record. Here is the recent series history of the two schools.

The Texas Longhorns and Kansas State Wildcats will face off on Saturday, the winner will take over in the all-time series. Continue reading “Texas Longhorns Football: Recent series history vs Kansas State”

Texas, Tom Herman among USA TODAY Sports biggest questions this week

USA TODAY Sports believes that Texas head coach Tom Herman has a critical matchup with Kansas State this week.

Regardless of the speculation surrounding Urban Meyer and current Texas head coach Tom Herman’s future in Austin, there’s still a game to focus on this week. Continue reading “Texas, Tom Herman among USA TODAY Sports biggest questions this week”

What Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman said about Texas and Sam Ehlinger

Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman addressed the media on Tuesday, Longhorns Wire highlights a few topics he discussed ahead of Texas-KSU

On Saturday the Texas Longhorns travel to Manhattan, Kansas for a battle with the Wildcats. This is the first of back-to-back trips to the Sunflower State to close out the 2020 Big 12 Conference schedule. Both teams are coming off close losses. Texas fell to Iowa State 23-20 and Kansas State dropped a heartbreaker to Baylor.

The teams are a game apart in the standings. Texas is 4-3 in Big 12 play with one less game played than Kansas State, who is 4-4. A loss by Texas could impact which bowl game they are invited to as they could finish anywhere from the No. 4 to No. 6 depending on what happens with West Virginia in the final two weeks.

Notes from Chris Klieman’s Press Conference

The Wildcats head coach met with the media on Tuesday and here are a few of the highlights from Klieman.

On facing the Longhorns after a close loss to Baylor

“We just have to execute better to have a chance against a really talented Texas team,” Klieman stated as he opened his weekly press conference.

The return of Justin Hughes and Elijah Sullivan at linebacker

“Excited they get an opportunity to play on senior day. They are on track to play. Klieman continued, “as far as I know….it gives us much needed depth at linebacker.”

On the opt outs for Texas and how that changes the gameplan

“I don’t think it changes anything. They could be COVID guys for them. Or they could be COVID guys for us. Or it could be COVID later in the week for them. So you figure out on Saturday when you go out there like we have a number of Saturdays. Say here is the lineup we have and whoever is in there is going to be counted on by their teammates, by their coaches to get their job done.”

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Klieman on preparing for Sam Ehlinger

“It is tremendous because of what Sam [Ehlinger] can do. He can beat you with his feet, he can beat you with his arm, he can beat you with his mind. He can run through arm tackles because he is a big physical ball carrier. [Ehlinger] throws the ball really well, he has a lot of different people he can get the ball to. He has powerful backs with a good offensive line so we need to be on point. We need to be better in limiting explosive plays.”

You can watch the full press conference from Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman below.

Latest BetMGM odds are growing in the Texas Longhorns favor

According to BetMGM oddsmakers, the Texas Longhorns opened at (-7.5) and that number is continuing to grow in their favor.

Following the loss to the Iowa State Cyclones on Friday, focus shifts to the Kansas State Wildcats. The Longhorns looking to get back on track after the 23-20 defeat snapped their three-game win streak. While all of the discussions surround the program involve the job status of Thomas Herman III, there are still games on the schedule to be played. Their final two will be played in the state of Kansas.

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When the betting lines opened on Monday, the Longhorns were favored by a score at (-7.5). It appears that the money is coming on the Longhorns side as that number is appearing to grow with the updated odds. Per BetMGM the line is now showing a two-score advantage for the road favorites as they prepare for Kansas State.

Line: Texas (-9)

Over/Under: 50.5

Money Line: Texas (-334), Kansas State (+260)

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Texas DB Jalen Green issues statement on his targeting penalty during Kansas State game

Texas DB Jalen Green issues statement on his targeting penalty during Kansas State game

In the second half of the Longhorns’ matchup with Kansas State, Jalen Green was ejected for targeting, which kept him out the remainder of that game in addition to the first half of Texas’ upcoming matchup with Iowa State. Texas released this statement regarding the penalty on behalf of Green:

Here is the hit that got Green ejected:

This is an avoidable hit that is quite reckless, and Green deserved the ejection. The Longhorns need to tighten up and play more disciplined on defense to avoid hits like this. Texas is set to take on the Iowa State Cyclones this Saturday at 2:30 CT.