Steve Sarkisian on last two games: No one blinked during adversity

Over the past two games, Steve Sarkisian and Texas have found themselves in two completely different positions. Against Alabama, they were going head-to-head against one of the best teams in college football. This past Saturday vs. UTSA, the Longhorns were down double digits at home to a Group of Five opponent.

Sarkisian explained how he has prepared Texas for those scenarios, saying the culture has grown in a positive direction in Austin. He continues to have a ton of faith in the Longhorns, no matter what type of adversity they must overcome.

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“We put these guys in a lot of strenuous situations in practice,” Sarkisian said. “Clearly, we’ve been in three different styles of ball games and we’ve done a lot of work, culturally, as a team. I got a lot of faith in these guys that they’re going to respond to whatever situation arises, whatever adversity they get faced with.”

Sarkisian then laid out the different scenarios where his team has put through adversity over the past two games. Against the Crimson Tide, he said Texas was “fighting” throughout the entire contest and never gave up. Especially on the team’s final drive, going down to kick what was a game-tying field goal at the time.

With UTSA, the Longhorns found themselves down 10 early at home. Sarkisian thinks last season, they could have rolled over and died. Instead, the head coach was proud, saying “nobody blinked” before outscoring the Roadrunners 34-3.

“I go back two weeks ago in the Alabama game — kind of fighting our way into that game, tie game, finally getting the lead. Them scoring that touchdown late and us going down and kicking that field goal. That wasn’t like ‘oh my gosh, we lost it, that’s it.’ We fought back.

“I go back to this game on Saturday. To be down 17-7. Nobody blinked. Nobody said ‘here we go again.’ Which, a year ago, I think we may have. I don’t want to say for sure but we may have. We just stayed the course.”

Texas will have another difficult test on Saturday, traveling to Lubbock to face off against Texas Tech. It’s the first road game of the season for Sarkisian, which will lead to a whole new type of adversity.

Steve Sarkisian continues to have faith in his team

Sarkisian talked about why he has faith in his football team, firstly citing the great leaders on the field. He then took a minute to list everything he thinks Texas does well and how they plan on winning moving forward.

“I do have a lot of faith in our team,” said Sarkisian. “I think we’ve got great leaders. I think we’re a hungry team. I think we belive in ourselves. I think the players believe in their ability to play good football. In the end, it comes down to executing, comes down to playing a physical brand of football, taking care of the line of scrimmage, and then, finding a way to create those explosive plays.”

No turnovers has been huge for Texas

One area Sarkisian said he was proud of, on the offensive side, was the lack of turnovers over the past two games. Texas did not throw an interception or put the ball on the ground against Alabama or UTSA. Meaning, their defense was never put in a tough situation and asked to play on a short field.

“I think our ability to protect the football, not put our defense in any short field situations,” Sarkisian said. “Forcing our opponents to drive the length of the field. Our ability to take care of the football has been another big factor in the way we’re playing right now. That’s been a positive as well.”