No. 22 Texas’ defense holds off West Virginia at home
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas secondary has experienced issues this season, allowing some long completions and committing too many pass interference penalties.
But on Saturday, the Longhorns’ defensive backs made critical plays. Texas stopped West Virginia on fourth-down passes into the end zone twice in the fourth quarter, enabling the No. 22 Longhorns to escape with a 17-13 victory.
Early in the quarter, when the Mountaineers faced fourth-and-1 at the Texas 16, they failed to convert when Jarret Doege’s pass to Mike O’Laughlin was broken up by B.J. Foster in the end zone.
Then, with less than five minutes remaining, Doege threw incomplete to Ali Jennings on fourth-and-1 at the Texas 8 with Chris Brown hounding the receiver.
“Hats off to the defense and their ability to get off the field,” Texas coach Tom Herman said.
Texas (5-2, 4-2 Big 12) overcame an offense that produced nearly 100 yards and 27 points fewer than its average.
Sam Ehlinger, typically the Longhorns’ offensive star, completed just 15 of 31 passes for 184 yards, but he connected with Brennan Eagles for a 7-yard touchdown in the first quarter and with Jake Smith for a 33-yard TD in the third. Freshman Bijan Robinson rushed for 113 yards on 12 carries for Texas.
Much of the discussion around Ehlinger this season is about unspecified injuries, or at least aches and pains, that seem to affect the accuracy of his passes, particularly down field. Ehlinger doesn’t say much about it.
“If I’m available, I’m always going to put my body on the line for my team,” Ehlinger said. “The natural breakdown of the body throughout the season is a natural progression.”
Texas had a sizeable edge in first-half yardage – 210137 – but left the field with only a 10-7 lead.
On one second-quarter possession, Ehlinger underthrew Eagles, who was open for a possible touchdown. Right before the end of the half, Cameron Dicker missed wide left on a 48yard field-goal attempt.
Ehlinger was more accurate when presented with an open receiver in the third quarter, connecting with Smith for the touchdown.
Doege completed 35 of 50 for 317 yards for West Virginia (4-3, 3-3) but failed to throw a touchdown. Texas limited West Virginia running back Leddie Brown to 47 yards, 69 fewer than his average, on 15 carries. He scored the Mountaineers’ only touchdown on a 12yard run in the first quarter.
West Virginia coach Neal Brown defended his decisions not to attempt field goals in the fourth.
“I don’t regret going for it, because there’s all kinds of data that says it’s the right thing to do, going for it,” Brown said. “In (the Big 12), you better score touchdowns down there to win. We’re going to be aggressive, but it’s on me, as in charge of the offense, and we’ve got to do a better job.”
In addition to thwarting West Virginia on fourth down in the final period, Texas made three thirddown stops in the third quarter. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown had a sack and forced a fumble on two of those plays.