Big contributions from supplementary players are a key to No. 7 Texas’ win at Iowa State
Big 12 Conference regulations state that a visiting team can travel 75 players who can participate in league road games. Coaches will tell you that it sometimes takes each and every one of those players to win a football game.
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After No. 7 Texas got contributions from a handful of players that are usually supplemental pieces to the Longhorns’ machine in a crucial 26-16 win at Iowa State on Saturday, it’s easy to understand how important every player is, and has been, the team’s success this season.
“A big part of this win was a lot of different players making plays and doing so in pretty critical moments,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “And there were a variety of guys making plays in the passing game.”
First and foremost was the performance from freshman running back CJ Baxter, who racked up 130 yards – 117 of them on the ground on 20 carries – in relief of the injured Jonathon Brooks. Baxter, who started two games this season before Brooks caught fire, also caught five passes for 13 yards.
Baxter seemed to get stronger and run with more confidence as the gritty game wore on and will continue to be a key piece to the Longhorns’ puzzle as they finish up the regular season at home against Texas Tech on Friday and, likely, play in the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 2 in Arlington.
“Baxter (was impressive), coming up and (making the most of the) opportunity he got and to go for 117 yards, and hard yards, against that defense,” Sarkisian said.
Baxter’s backup, Jaydon Blue, had a huge two-yard carry on fourth down late in the game to allow Texas to hold onto the ball and run out the clock.
Another player to shine was senior wide receiver Jordan Whittington, who had a 23-yard TD catch (his first of the year and the fifth of his career) among his three receptions for 56 total yards.
“It felt amazing, you know, was a long time coming,” Whittington said. “It definitely felt great, you know, just crossing that line and my whole team literally ran to the sideline and celebrated with me. So it’s just moments like that that I play the game for.”
Whittington also had a shovel pass for a two-point conversion run after Texas’ final touchdown.
“So super, super happy for Jordan,” Sarkisian said. “He’s been fighting it, you know, he hasn’t been quite 100 percent but he just continues to show up. He just a warrior. There wasn’t a guy on our sideline when Jordan scored that didn’t want to go celebrate with him because they know how much he means to this team and what he does for the team.”
Whittington was asked after the game if he knew he was going to be such a big part of te game plan.
“Honestly, every week I’m part of the game plan,” Whittington answered. “A lot of stuff I do people don’t see – it’s not on the spotlight. But if the ball comes to me, my job is to make a play, and if I gotta go block somebody, that’s real big, too. I’m gonna go do that. So whatever they asked me to do, I’m gonna do it.”
Then there was backup junior tight end Gunnar Helm caught a 31-yard TD pass to open the fourth quarter. And special teams player Austin Jordan scooped up a PAT kick blocked by T’Vondre Sweat and returned it 82 yards for two points for the Longhorns.
Texas will need all these contributions, and more, to be among the final four teams standing in the CFP Rankings on Dec. 3.
