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Category: Texas longhorn

  • Former Texas, Washington WR Johntay Cook II arrested on property theft charges

    Former Texas, Washington WR Johntay Cook II arrested on property theft charges

     

    Former Texas and Washington wide receiver Johntay Cook II, the top available prospect in 247Sports’ Transfer Rankings, was arrested Tuesday on charges of property theft and interference of public duties, according to a listing in Tarrant County, Texas’ inmate database. Cook is currently being held at Lon Evans Correctional Center in Fort Worth.

     

    Cook, a former top-40 prospect in the 2023 class out of DeSoto, Texas, spent the first two years of his career at the University of Texas. The Longhorns and Cook mutually parted ways midway through the 2024 season before he entered the transfer portal.

     

    Cook initially transferred to and enrolled at Washington. At the time, he was the only wideout the Huskies signed via the transfer portal. But shortly after he arrived on campus, Cook and Washington coach Jedd Fisch made the decision to move on from one another in a meeting. Cook re-entered the transfer portal on Jan. 14.

     

    He logged eight catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns in 2024 A majority of that work came in blowout wins against Colorado State and UTSA where he totaled six receptions for 91 yards, and he hauled in both of his scores against the Roadrunners. He also had 136 yards receiving as a true freshman in 2023.

  • Wasn’t Who We Thought He Would Be’ – CFB Analyst Drops a Reality Check for Quinn Ewers as Longhorns Trust in Arch Manning for 2025

    Wasn’t Who We Thought He Would Be’ – CFB Analyst Drops a Reality Check for Quinn Ewers as Longhorns Trust in Arch Manning for 2025

     

    Quinn Ewers improved in each year while at Texas, but one specific analyst believes the Longhorns’ fanbase was let down by his performances.

    Quinn Ewers improved in each year while at Texas, but one specific analyst believes the Longhorns’ fanbase was let down by his performances.

    ‘Wasn’t Who We Thought He Would Be’ – CFB Analyst Drops a Reality Check for Quinn Ewers as Longhorns Trust in Arch Manning for 2025

     

    Quinn Ewers improved in each year while at Texas, but one specific analyst believes the Longhorns’ fanbase was let down by his performances.

     

    Former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was one of the biggest names in college football. Before he declared for the draft, fans and media closely followed his on-field performances and off-field appearances. It seemed college football couldn’t go a week without an Ewers-related headline. Now, there is a noticeable silence as we wait for the 2025 NFL Draft to determine his future.

     

    With Arch Manning set to replace Ewers as Texas’ starting quarterback, fans are naturally looking back at Ewers’ career with the Longhorns and asking, How good was he? Well, On3’s J.D. Pickell doesn’t think Ewers lived up to the hype.

     

     

    College Football Network’s Transfer Portal Tracker follows along with all the movement from the transfer portal, including portal entrants, commitments, decommitments, and more, from all your favorite schools.

    CFB Analyst Claims Former Texas QB Left “Something to be Desired”

    Ewers has been one of the most debated quarterbacks in college football. As a former five-star recruit with a highly touted arm, fans once projected him as a future Heisman Trophy finalist. Now, some are questioning whether he was even a good quarterback. On3’s J.D. Pickell believes Ewers failed to meet expectations.

     

    “In the conference, did Quinn Ewers leave something to be desired through the air? Let’s be real about this—he wasn’t who we thought he would be,” Pickell said.

     

    It’s no secret that fans and analysts have found Ewers’ performance as Texas’ starting quarterback underwhelming at times. However, there’s a reason head coach Steve Sarkisian stuck with him. Ewers led Texas to an SEC title game and a College Football Playoff semifinal despite battling injuries and facing criticism from the fanbase.

     

    It’s easy to forget that Ewers arrived at Texas after Sarkisian’s 5-7 debut season, carrying the expectation of turning the program around. He exceeded those expectations, leading Texas to a 25-8 record, a Big 12 championship, and multiple playoff appearances, including a grueling fight in their SEC title game bid.

     

    Ewers wasn’t perfect, but given his injuries and the weight of expectations, he performed well.

     

    Former Texas Starting QB Quinn Ewers Offers Successor Arch Manning Solid Advice

    As Ewers sets his sights on the NFL, the Arch Manning era officially begins in Austin. Naturally, Manning is already feeling the pressure that comes with being a team’s starting quarterback. However, some advice from Ewers has helped him focus on the bigger picture.

     

    During an interview with ESPN’s Marty Smith, Manning shared the wise words Ewers gave him following Texas’ Playoff semifinal loss to Ohio State.

     

    “Kind of right after the Ohio State game, I was with Quinn in the locker room,” Manning said. “He was like, ‘Enjoy every moment. It goes by quickly. So love on your teammates and have fun.’”

     

    Manning spent two seasons as Ewers’ backup, watching closely and gaining experience. Now that Ewers has passed the torch, it’s up to Manning to lead Texas’ offense and keep the team in championship contention.

     

    In his two starts for Texas against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State, Manning threw for 583 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions while completing 68.3% of his passes. He led Texas to victory in both games. Fans will expect even more from him next season as they set their sights on a national championship run.

     

    College Sports Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.

     

     

  • Texas Quarterback Arch Manning Reveals Celebrity Crush

    Texas Quarterback Arch Manning Reveals Celebrity Crush

     

    Arch Manning’s Texas career is set to take a major step after Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers declared for the 2025 NFL draft.

     

    Manning has been featured in several games over the past two seasons, but admitted the step between high school football and college was a challenge – at least in the weight room.

     

    “The workouts were no joke,” Manning told GQ. “It was hard! On one of my visits, a player told me to make sure I run a lot and lift before I get to town. I took that to heart, so I was pretty prepared, but they are not easy. I think the intensity, and how often [we did them] was the toughest part. In the summer, we’ll get out there at 6:30 at night, and then you’re back the next morning at 6:30 for another workout. There’s not much time for recovery, but you gotta get the most out of it.”

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    Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

    As he prepares for his first season as a starting quarterback in the collegiate ranks, Manning signed a lucrative deal with Red Bull.

     

    “I really like this partnership,” Manning said. “Everyone at Red Bull has been super nice to me and my family and I can’t wait to get it going. Plus, I like a Red Bull in the morning. We got early meetings — need a little energy.”

     

    The future Longhorns starting quarterback also sat down with Red Bull for an interview where he was asked to name the “Great of All Time” in a number of categories. For the film section he named “Wolf of Wall Street” while dropping Margot Robbie’s name, hinting at his celebrity crush.

     

    During the 2024 college football season, Manning completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions while running for 108 yards and four scores.

     

    Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium on Jan. 26, 2025.

  • College Football Fans Already Excited About Arch Manning’s Cousin

    College Football Fans Already Excited About Arch Manning’s Cousin

    Arch Manning, the Texas Longhorns quarterback, has been a backup for the past two years, yet remains one of college football’s biggest stars.

    The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning entered Austin as the top-ranked recruit in 2023 and has impressed in his limited playtime. During the two games he started while Quinn Ewers was injured, fans across the country were captivated by his strong arm and impressive speed.

    Despite fans and analysts calling for him to take over as the starter, it didn’t happen, as Texas’ season ended in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Ohio State. However, with Ewers declaring for the draft, it’s now officially the Manning era in Austin.

    While fans are excited to see what Arch can do as the full-time starter, a Saturday social media post teased another Manning rising through the ranks, one that could generate even more excitement. As the post revealed, fans are already buzzing about Peyton Manning’s 13-year-old son, Marshall.

    “Sir another Manning has dropped,” quipped one fan.

    “The Manning family set to dominate football for another two decades, wow,” predicted another.

    “Marshall Manning vs Gunner Rivers in 2035 is gonna be insane,” commented a third.

    “Arch and Marshall will rule the NFL together just like their family members,” speculated another.

    Arch Manning, quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. Arch Manning, quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. © Sara Diggins/American-States. Marshall Manning is still too young to be ranked by recruiting sites, and it’s uncertain if he’ll follow in the footsteps of his uncle, cousin, father, and grandfather, Archie. But with such a renowned family, he’ll have no shortage of role models for guidance.

    Additionally, being Peyton Manning’s son has given Marshall unique experiences, like going viral in 2023 for throwing a pass to Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson at the Pro Bowl Games.

    If Arch Manning fulfills his immense potential, with some analysts projecting him as the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft if eligible, and Marshall Manning grows into a star, the Manning family could become the most influential in football history.

    However, both Arch and Marshall still have a long way to go before reaching the legendary status of their family members.

     

  • Quinn Ewers entering NFL draft after three seasons at Texas

    Quinn Ewers entering NFL draft after three seasons at Texas

     

    The Texas Longhorns quarterback announced on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday morning that he is declaring for the NFL draft after three years with the Longhorns, forgoing his final year of eligibility.

     

    “My entire life I have dreamed about playing football on the forty acres. These past three years have been some of the best years that I could have imagined. The relationships that I’ve built with coaches and teammates will last forever,” Ewers said in his video.

     

    “I’m truly thankful for the opportunity to play football in the home state and the best university in the world. With prayer and careful consideration, I’m officially declaring for the NFL draft.”

     

    Ewers’ announcement to declare for the NFL comes after the Longhorns quarterback told ESPN in an interview leading up to the College Football Playoff Cotton Bowl semifinal that he does not expect to play college football next year.

     

    The 6-foot-2 quarterback started his collegiate career at Ohio State in 2021 before transferring to Texas. Ironically, Ewers’ career ended by the hand of the Buckeyes and his freshman roommate, Ohio State defensive lineman Jack Sawyer. Facing a fourth-and-goal late in the fourth quarter, Ewers was sacked by Sawyer and had the ball stripped out of his hands for a 83-yard scoop-and-score touchdown return.

     

    Ewers battled multiple injuries throughout this past season, including an oblique strain that he sustained in Week 3 against Texas-San Antonio that caused him to miss two games. He also had a high-ankle sprain towards the end of the regular season that carried into the CFP, an injury that affected his mobility and saw Texas use backup quarterback Arch Manning on running plays.

     

    Perhaps, Ewers best game this season came in Week 2 on the road at Michigan, when he completed 66.7% of his pass for 246 yards and three touchdowns in the Longhorns’ ranked victory. Another highlight moment this past season for Ewers came in the CFP Peach Bowl quarterback vs. No. 4 Arizona State. Facing a fourth-and-13, Ewers connected with wide receiver Matthew Golden for a 28-yard touchdown to keep Texas’ season alive, and ultimately send them to the semifinal.

     

    In his three seasons as Texas’ starting quarterback, Ewers led the Longhorns to a 27-9 overall record, the 2023 Big 12 championship and two appearances in the College Football Playoff semifinals — the former of the two being the program’s first ever CFP appearance.

     

    He will finish his time in Austin with the Longhorns having completed 64.9% of his passes for 9,128 yards and 68 passing touchdowns, adding eight rushing touchdowns.

     

    Ewers is listed as the No. 5 quarterback on ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board of prospects for April’s NFL draft. He is expected to be one of the more touted quarterbacks in this year’s draft class, one that already consists of Miami’s Cam Ward, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe to name a few.

     

    Quinn Ewers stats at Texas

    Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of Ewers stats with the Longhorns:

     

    2022: 172 of 296 (58.1%) passing for 2,177 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions; one rushing touchdown

    2023: 272 of 394 (69%) passing for 3,479 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions; five rushing touchdowns

    2024: 293 of 445 (65.8%) passing for 3,472 yards with 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions; two rushing touchdowns

  • It’s Arch Manning time at Texas: Quinn Ewers brought ‘Horns back, but team can’t keep ex-mega recruit on bench

    It’s Arch Manning time at Texas: Quinn Ewers brought ‘Horns back, but team can’t keep ex-mega recruit on bench

    Four years ago, Quinn Ewers was that guy. He was the No. 1 recruit, the first perfectly graded quarterback in the 247Sports Composite since Vince Young. His initial decommitment from Texas in 2020 as a high school recruit portended the end of the Tom Herman era.

    But Ewers later kick-started the Steve Sarkisian era. Since transferring to Texas from Ohio State as a redshirt freshman in 2022, Ewers is 21-5 as a starter in two seasons. By any measure, Ewers brought Texas “back” to national contention. The Longhorns earned trips to the national semifinals in consecutive seasons and were one play away each time from playing for a national championship.

    “I’m super proud of Quinn,” Sarkisian said. “He’s taught me a lot because of what he went through. I don’t know if he could ever live up to the standard of what everybody thinks he’s supposed to be.”

    With a 28-14 loss in the Cotton Bowl to Ohio State (Ewers’ former team), the brilliant but sometimes backbreaking Ewers era at Texas is effectively over. The Arch Manning era is here, and if expectations for Texas quarterbacks were high before, they’re about to leave the stratosphere.

    Ewers has not officially declared for the NFL Draft. He told ESPN that he does not anticipate playing college football next season, though Carson Beck declared for the draft before transferring from Georgia to Miami. But if Ewers is playing college football next season, it won’t be at the University of Texas. It’s Manning time.

    Manning was the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2023, making Texas the first program to ever have two No. 1 quarterbacks on campus. The son of Cooper, nephew of Peyton and Eli, and grandson of Archie was pursued heavily by every school in the country. He ultimately decided to join Sarkisian in Austin with the opportunity to lead Texas into the SEC.

    When Ewers opted to return for the 2024 season, Manning stuck around. There were never even rumors of Manning transferring. He was content sitting for two years and waiting his turn, a rare trait for an elite quarterback in 2025. Out of the top 10 quarterbacks in his recruiting class, six have already transferred. Out of the four who haven’t, Clemson’s Christopher Vizzina joins Manning as the only one yet to hold the full time starting job.

    That’s not to say that Manning didn’t impact Texas. When Ewers went out midseason with an oblique strain, Manning stepped into the lineup. He obliterated UTSA with five touchdowns on 15 touches. In the SEC opener against Mississippi State, he threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns. In the waning weeks of the season, Sarkisian installed an Arch package to use in the red zone and short-yardage situations. He even converted a fourth down against Ohio State.

    In his limited action, Manning flashed the immense upside and a few skills that already ranked among the elite in college football. His deep ball accuracy made for some incredible highlights. Manning also excelled as a runner, a skill that could have been useful next to a wildly inconsistent running game.

    Because of these flashes, fans often clamored for Manning to unseat Ewers. Sarkisian held firm. Even when Texas was held scoreless for the first 29 minutes of game time against Ohio State, Ewers stayed in the game. Sarkisian’s decisiveness proved vital, and the team responded to Ewers’ leadership.

    “I feel like he’s been one of the biggest leaders since I’ve been here,” linebacker Anthony Hill told CBS Sports. “I’m just grateful for him.”

    And for all the talk of Manning’s explosive performances, he looked the part of a freshman at times, too. In his first career start against ULM, Manning completed only 51.7% of his passes and threw two interceptions. The Warhawks are a strong defense in the Sun Belt and managed to cause Manning issues.

    During Texas’s lone regular-season loss against Georgia, Ewers was briefly benched. Manning entered the game. He threw for only 19 yards on six pass attempts, was sacked twice and coughed up a fumble as Texas went into halftime trailing 23-0. Ewers came back in the third quarter with a clear head and led a 15-point flurry.

    In the Peach Bowl against Arizona State, Ewers faced fourth-and-13 in overtime. A failed conversion would have ended his career. As only a veteran quarterback could do, Ewers changed the offense’s look and delivered a season-saving strike to receiver Matthew Golden.

    “There were some moving parts where Quinn had to change the protection on the play,” Sarkisian said after the Peach Bowl. “Even after that, there were some intricacies to handle the pressure the way it was coming inside. There were layers to the whole thing.”

    In the final four, each team boasted quarterbacks with major starting experience. Penn State’s Drew Allar was the youngest as a second-year starter. Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard and Ohio State’s Will Howard have started for most of three seasons, like Ewers. Last season, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. were also extremely experienced players. There’s a reason coaches lean on experience. It’s invaluable.

    And around Manning, plenty on the Texas offense could change. The Longhorns could lose four offensive linemen to the 2025 NFL Draft, along with star tight end Gunner Helm. Top receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond could also test their draft stock. That doesn’t even get into a sensational defense set to lose much of its front and back end.

    Of course, Manning is special. Even in flashes, we’ve seen it. The willingness to wait his turn and develop only underscores the maturity and decision making he brings to the table, despite his famous last name — or maybe thanks to it.

    “In addition to possessing all the physical tools desired at the quarterback position, Manning plays the game with exceptional intuition and awareness, showing the ability to command and navigate the game at a very high level,” 247Sports director of scouting Cooper Petagna wrote of Manning in 2022.

    If Manning is the quarterback that is promised, he has the potential to lead Texas to the promised land for only the second time in the last 50 years. That’s the new bar. That’s the new expectation. If expectations for Ewers were tough, Manning had better be ready for his spotlight.

    Ewers was the face of the first Sarkisian era. After the Cotton Bowl, it’s over. Now, it’s time to see whether Manning is up to the challenge.

  • Texas football QB Arch Manning sends heartfelt parting message to senior leaders ahead of 2025 NFL draft

    Texas football QB Arch Manning sends heartfelt parting message to senior leaders ahead of 2025 NFL draft

     

     

     

    Texas football QB Arch Manning sends heartfelt parting message to senior leaders ahead of 2025 NFL draft image

    Arch Manning played his last game under Quinn Ewers’s shadow as a backup on Friday night as Texas football’s season screeched to a halt. Manning knows the underlying responsibility that would come with Ewers’ NFL departure.

     

    Perhaps he has given it a thought. But Manning decided that the night was not about him. It was about his seniors and he let it stay that way.

     

    “It’s probably not the time to start thinking about next year because I have so much respect for these seniors,” the Longhorns QB said in his interview with Austin-American Statesman.

     

    “I’ve learned so much from them. They’re just great people, and I’m going to miss them, for sure,” Manning added to his speech, staying true to his unselfish intent of letting the evening be about the seniors who will be in the Longhorns uniform for the last time.

     

    On top of that, Manning also had special messages for Quinn Ewers and center Jake Majors.

     

    “I’ve learned so much from Quinn over the years,” Manning said. “Jake is always a straight-shooter. What I’ll miss the most about Jake is just how great a guy he is. He’ll tell you not always what you want to hear, but what you need to hear. And he’s a friend for life. And I’m so blessed that he’s part of my life,” he added.

     

    Manning avoided talking about his starting QB role in the 2025 season like he was expected to — especially since Ewers’ indirect 2025 NFL draft announcement came just hours before the game.

     

    Ewers was pretty direct with his “Nah, I don’t,” answer to the question of playing another year in college football. It cut right through all the noise.

     

    The Longhorns had a bumpy ride the whole season and it directly affected Ewers’ and Majors’ draft stocks.

     

    Ewers is expected to be the fifth QB off the board and Majors the fifth center off the board, according to ESPN’s Mel Keiper’s 2025 NFL mock draft.

     

    And as for Texas, it won’t be too long before Manning takes to their field as a starter amid the growing hype.

  • The injury report for the College Football Playoff matchup between Texas and Ohio State lists the key players who are currently dealing with injuries. Both teams have some notable players who may be limited or unavailable for the game, and their status will be crucial to the outcome.

    The injury report for the College Football Playoff matchup between Texas and Ohio State lists the key players who are currently dealing with injuries. Both teams have some notable players who may be limited or unavailable for the game, and their status will be crucial to the outcome.

    Texas could welcome back a key player from injury in their College Football Playoff semifinal against Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl this week.

    Texas football (13-2, 7-1 SEC) head coach Steve Sarkisian gave an update on one crucial injured player as they prepare for Friday’s national semifinal against Ohio State (12-2, 7-2 Big Ten) on January 10. The Longhorns have two players dealing with injuries this postseason: junior starting right tackle Cameron Williams and junior wide receiver Isaiah Bond.

    Williams suffered a lower-body injury during the College Football Playoff’s first-round game against the Clemson Tigers on Dec. 21 when running back Quintrevion Wisner collided with his leg. Bond has been managing a recurring ankle injury, which was aggravated during the SEC Championship game against Georgia in early December.

    Here is the complete injury report for the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup at the Cotton Bowl between No. 3 Texas and No. 6 Ohio State at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, on Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. CT.

    Texas football injury report vs. Ohio State: Derek Williams Jr., S (Out) CJ Baxter Jr., RB (Out) Christian Clark, RB (Out) Velton Gardner, RB (Out) Cameron Williams, OT (Probable)

    Earlier today, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Williams is likely to play against Ohio State. Sarkisian confirmed on Jan. 9 that Williams “will play.” Williams participated in full-pads practice with the first-team on Sunday and Monday of this week.

    Williams missed the Peach Bowl quarterfinal against Arizona State on New Year’s Day due to the injury, with redshirt freshman Trevor Goosby filling in at right tackle for the past two games.

    Isaiah Bond, WR (Questionable)

    Bond’s status for the Ohio State game remains uncertain. He was limited in offensive snaps during the Arizona State game due to his ankle sprain.

    Ohio State injury report vs. Texas: Mason Maggs, QB (Questionable) Josh Simmons, OL (Out) Seth McLaughlin, C (Out) TC Caffey, RB (Out) Brenten Jones, S (Questionable)

     

  • Texas’ four-step plan to beat Ohio State: ‘We’ve got to keep harping on finishing’

    Texas’ four-step plan to beat Ohio State: ‘We’ve got to keep harping on finishing’

    In 2008, Nick Saban delivered one of his most memorable and famous pregame speeches. Alabama was going into Baton Rouge to play LSU for the first time since Saban left the Tigers for the NFL, and he riled up his players in the locker room before they ran out onto the field.

    “How much does this game mean to you?” Saban said, his voice rising. “Because if it means something to you, you can’t stand still. You understand? You play fast. You play strong. You go out there and dominate the guy you’re playing against and make his ass quit. That’s our trademark. That’s our M.O. as a team. That’s what people know us as.”

    The “make his ass quit” bit became part of the identity of future national championship-winning Crimson Tide teams, including the ones Steve Sarkisian was a part of.

    Sarkisian, who left Tuscaloosa to become Texas‘ head coach in 2021, has always been open about how much he values his mentor, Saban, and everything he learned while coaching for him. He has adopted many Saban principles at Texas, and the Longhorns are closer than they’ve been in years to resuming their reputation as an elite-level program. Sarkisian took a 5-7 team in 2021 – a team tight end Gunnar Helm said had a “horrible culture” and that “nobody wanted to be here” – and turned it into one that has made back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances.

    This season, Texas made it to the SEC Championship game as a league debutant, has a top-rated defense, and boasts NFL talent on both sides of the ball. But one critical thing has been missing: Texas has not made anyone’s you-know-what quit.

    In fact, it’s been the opposite. The Longhorns have let opponents hang around after building leads. Just take the recent 39-31 victory over Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Texas rolled out to a hot start, scoring 14 points in 66 seconds of game action, putting together a strong and explosive first quarter. Then, the Longhorns gave up a 16-point lead while Cam Skattebo made chunk plays, only to come back and win in double overtime.

    Against Clemson, Texas was up 28-10 at the half, but the Tigers rallied and nearly made it a one-score game on two different occasions in the fourth quarter. If not for a goal-line stand and a pass breakup, things might have turned out differently.

    Texas led Georgia 6-3 at halftime of the SEC title game, but it should have been a wider margin. Turnovers, penalties and a missed field goal doomed the Longhorns, and the Bulldogs won, 22-19, in overtime.

    Does Texas lack that killer instinct to put teams away?

    “No, I don’t feel like that’s a concern,” Texas safety Michael Taaffe said this week. “Obviously, we’ve got to keep harping on finishing. We started really fast last week, and we’ve got to always preach finishing. I gave up one of my first go-balls this year late in the game on a deep ball against Skattebo. I went to the sideline and said, ‘That’s on me.’ If you’re preaching it, you’ve got to do it also.

    “I think there’s just so many situations that happened in that game that the football gods, if there are any, were on Arizona State’s side for all that second half. And it just seemed like nothing could go our way, and that happens in football. But at the end of the day, we came out with a W. And no matter what it took, we were willing to do it.”

    The issue for Taaffe and the Longhorns is that Ohio State – who will clash with Texas on Friday night in the CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl – has been feverishly dominant in this playoff. After a stunning loss to Michigan that kept the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten Championship, they’ve rebounded and have come out throwing punches. In the first round of the CFP, the Buckeyes clobbered Tennessee, 42-17. Jeremiah Smith and the OSU offense scored 21 points in the first quarter and the Volunteers never made it close. In the Rose Bowl, Ohio State crushed Oregon, 41-21, after taking an insurmountable 34-8 lead at halftime.

    “The goal is, week by week, you’ve got to upgrade,” said Buckeyes tight end Gee Scott, who caught a 30-yard pass on the first play of the Rose Bowl. “That’s the big motto that we have on this team. That team that you were last week or the team that you were in Week 5 just isn’t good enough to compete in the College Football Playoff.

    “And so, our mindset is to get better and better and better. Call it what it is. Last time we played [Oregon], we fell short, but here we are … we’re able to see who upgraded more. It looked like it was the Buckeyes. And so the goal is to continue to upgrade every single week, and then you’ll look back and see how far along you’ve come.”

    Texas has the talent, depth and ability to combat Ohio State’s strengths. So, how do they execute that plan?

    1. The Longhorns have to end quality drives with touchdowns. They’re scoring TDs in the red zone just 64% of the time, while Ohio State is doing it on 76% of its trips inside the 20. This is especially relevant coming out of halftime where Texas has been outscored 60-16 in the third quarter over the last eight games.

    2. The Longhorns can’t turn the ball over. Entering this semifinal, Texas ranked 126th nationally with 24 turnovers this season – only six FBS teams have more. Quinn Ewers is known for his calm and steady demeanor, but he’s thrown 11 interceptions this season, five of which have come in the last four games. On the flip side, Texas has forced the second-most turnovers in the country with 30 (only Notre Dame has more with 31).

    3. The Longhorns can’t miss crucial field goals. Kicker Bert Auburn, who has climbed his way into the Texas record books and has made the most field goals in a single season in program history, has been struggling lately. In the Peach Bowl, he missed two go-ahead field goals, and he missed one in the SEC Championship game.

    4. The Longhorns need to establish themselves early on the offensive line. Ohio State’s defense has 12 sacks in the last two games, including eight vs. Oregon. The Longhorns have given up 33 sacks this season, while the Buckeyes have allowed 12. The unit is expected to be back at full strength after starting right tackle Cam Williams missed the last game with an injury, which should aid what’s been an inconsistent run game. After rushing for 292 yards against Clemson, Texas mustered just 53 yards on the ground against Arizona State’s smaller defensive front.

    “I would just say that we – as an offense, the running back room, the tight end room, the O-line room – we know what we’re capable of and what we’ve put on film is not our best,” Texas center Jake Majors said. “We understand that there are high expectations and we’ve got to meet those expectations.

    “We were frustrated, but at the end of the day, we were able to win. But what we did wasn’t good enough to our standard. That next day, we were all walking around with a chip on our shoulder, ready to get back to work and get this run game going.”

    Sarkisian has said his team has yet to play its best game of the year. Is Texas capable of doing so against a Buckeyes team that’s gelling and performing at an elite level? Friday night at the Cotton Bowl will serve as a marker for Texas and its trajectory, especially after losing in last year’s CFP semifinal round, albeit in a four-team playoff format.

    “Ohio State is playing really good football right now and if we want a chance, we’ve got to match that and exceed that,” Majors said. “So, we’ve got to put our best foot forward and come out swinging and come out fast.”

  • Kenny Dillingham’s impactful message following the loss to Texas quickly gained widespread attention.

    Kenny Dillingham’s impactful message following the loss to Texas quickly gained widespread attention.

    The Arizona State football team experienced a heartbreaking loss in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Peach Bowl on Wednesday. The Sun Devils mounted a stunning comeback in regulation, rallying from a 24-8 deficit in the fourth quarter with 16 points in the final seven minutes to send the game into overtime. Arizona State was one fourth-and-13 stop away from securing the win, but Texas converted on that play, forcing double overtime, where the Longhorns came out on top. Despite the loss, head coach Kenny Dillingham and Arizona State had a remarkable season.

    At the start of the season, the Arizona State football team was projected to finish last in the Big 12. This marked year two for Kenny Dillingham with the Sun Devils, and the rebuilding process seemed to still have a long way to go. However, Dillingham quickly turned things around, and he expressed immense pride in his team.

    “What an incredible season!” Dillingham shared in a post. “Losing sucks! But man, I have never been so proud of a group of young men in my entire life! The bonds this team has are old school, and it’s real; these relationships will live on forever! This is a team that truly loves each other, and watching it firsthand is something I will never forget! #SunDevil4LIFE #LIFERS #FAMILY.”

    Related Arizona State Football News The article continues below Kenny Dillingham led Arizona State to an 11-3 record, securing the Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Few gave this team much chance against Texas on Wednesday, but the Sun Devils proved they were worthy contenders, coming close to upsetting Texas and advancing to the next round.

    While the result wasn’t what they hoped for, there’s a reason Dillingham is so proud of this group. It was an extraordinary season for Arizona State, and the future looks promising with Dillingham at the helm.