Tag: Texas-West Virginia box score

Texas DC Pete Kwiatkowski helps Texas top West Virginia, 38-20

Kwiatkowski’s incorporation of tight man coverage lifts Texas past West Virginia.

A tumultuous week had an uneventful finish on Saturday. After last week’s overtime loss, the Texas Longhorns responded in a big way defeating West Virginia, 38-20.

The Texas defense looked nothing like the defense that showed up in Lubbock last week. The Longhorns showed tight coverage, got to the quarterback and got off the field on third and fourth downs.

Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski mixed in zone coverage some in the first half but waited until the Longhorns had built a lead to play zone consistently. After taking a 35-14 lead, Texas allowed West Virginia to knock itself out with long, clock-eating drives.

Offensively, Hudson Card led multiple scoring drives relying mostly on Xavier Worthy and Ja’Tavion Sanders as primary targets. Card put the ball in harms way a few times, but Texas receivers intervened to make spectacular plays.

Card completed 21 of 27 passes for 303 yards. He finished the day with three touchdowns. Xavier Worthy led all receivers with 7 catches for 119 receiving yards.

Bijan Robinson crossed the century mark on the final drive, finishing with 21 rushes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Steve Sarkisian will have the challenge of keeping players humble heading into Red River following their impressive showing. Sarkisian will welcome that challenge as Texas improves to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

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Texas leads West Virginia 28-7 at the half

West Virginia went 3-for-9 on third down and 1-for-2 on fourth down in the first half.

Texas fans wanted better defense this week. It seems the Longhorns defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski got the message.

Texas’ defense looked considerably better than last week. Perhaps the biggest chance revolved around the Longhorns switching to man coverage for the most part.

Tighter coverage by the Texas secondary was the story of the half. With the exception of the last West Virginia drive, the Longhorns shut down the Mountaineers.

Offensively, Texas had their way with the West Virginia defense for the most part. Steve Sarkisian called a great half to set Hudson Card up for success.

Card completed a couple of risky throws, but for the most part has protected the football. He ended the half completing 13 of 17 passes for 223 yards. Xavier Worthy, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Jordan Whittington all went for over 50 receiving yards in the first half.

The Longhorns finished the half with 267 yards compared to West Virginia’s 163. More importantly, Texas got off the field on third and fourth downs. West Virginia went 3-for-9 on third down and 1-for-2 on fourth down.

Texas will get the ball first in the second half.