Steve Sarkisian calls Devin Neal a 'home-run hitter'

When Texas takes on Kansas this weekend, the Longhorns will have to make sure they contain the running game. That starts with making sure Devin Neal doesn’t break off a big run, and Steve Sarkisian knows that.

Sarkisian discussed what Neal is capable of ahead of the matchup, acknowledging his ability to make explosive plays. One of the keys to the game will be to stop him and make sure he can’t run all over the field.

Against TCU last week, Texas allowed a 75-yard run by Kendre Miller. Sarkisian said that can’t happen, especially this week.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“Very good player, very good runner,” Sarkisian said. “I think what he does, what concerns you is he’s a home-run hitter. It feels like once a week, he gets a big run, whether it’s 50, 55, 70. We’ve got to make sure — we pride ourselves on minimizing the explosive plays. We’ve done a really good job of that this year. it’s unfortunate, we gave up the long run last week when, quite frankly, we shouldn’t have. It was a bust on our part. We had an unblocked defender, we don’t make the play.

“This week is going to be the same way because Devin Neal is a guy that can hurt you and he can hit a big one on you if you aren’t assignment-sound and gap-sound in the run game because he will create explosive plays on you.”

Steve Sarkisian reveals big picture message he is sending Texas players

Texas suffered a heartbreaking loss last weekend, missing an opportunity to beat the top team in the Big 12 conference in No. 4 ranked TCU, falling 17-10 at home to the Horned Frogs. With two games remaining in the season, head coach Steve Sarkisian was asked what his big picture message was to his team moving forward.

“Sometimes what we say in out team meeting is for us, but the reality of it is this, we have an opportunity. If we can win our final two games, there’s an opportunity there that presents where we can be in the Big 12 Championship game,” Sarkisian said.