INSTANT REACTION: Texas offense disappoints in 27-10 win against UTEP

No. 7 Texas didn’t destroy UTEP the way many fans and onlookers would’ve hoped for, but they did jump to 2-1 after a 27-10 victory against the Miners.

The offense was bad in all four categories that we’ve touched on as problems all season.

Firstly, Arch Manning was just not good: 5-16 for 69 yards and an INT in the first half. Texas basically resorted to pure QB power and run plays for the second half. He did make a nice throw for Ryan Wingo’s first touchdown of the year, but he should’ve had one way earlier in the game.

That sequence was brutal. Third and two at the UTEP 10, and the ball can’t find Wingo on a sure touchdown. Probably could’ve been a better effort from both, but Arch has to make that throw. Then, on fourth and two, he completely misses a wide-open Parker Livingstone for the first and maybe more. Instead, he scrambles around before eventually throwing an INT.

He ended the game with an 11-25, 114 passing yards, 1 TD (2 rushing), and 1 INT stat line.

Sark’s play-calling was also maddening at times. Still the staple second-and-12 run that continues to get less than four yards every time. The screen game is working but is rarely called. Why do they insist on running from under center instead of spreading out the defense?

The run blocking was bad once again. Someone joked in the staff group chat that Texas ends up with three blockers on the ground every play. That has way too much validity for it to even be classified as a joke.

DJ Campbell continues to commit penalties that a fourth-year five-star shouldn’t, and the interior can’t powerfully win against inferior opponents. Tight ends are still missing blocks.

The pass blocking continues to be really good, but it’s for a QB who’s struggling with accuracy even in clean pockets.

Texas ended the game 5/16 on third downs and 2/5 on fourth. Just 33% on money downs. They turned it over on downs three times, threw an INT, and punted five times.

Lastly, the playmakers really didn’t show up. I liked what we got from James Simon today in extended usage, but Texas registered just three rushes over 10 yards and two throws over 20. The lack of explosive playmaking was clear. Manning saw boo birds in the first half, and it was probably warranted. This offense just isn’t great, and even with all of these injuries, the improvement curve seems steep.

Defensively, it was another good game. The McDonald INT was a freebie, but Littleton’s was nice coverage, in my opinion. UTEP tried to run the ball and failed—2.2 yards per rush.

They got one late, but the game was already over. Most of the crowd was gone, and Texas’ defense just looked ready to go home. I still hold hope that they are the best in the nation, though Malachi Nelson did find a few too many good passes for my comfort. McDonald had a great game, and some depth players flashed.

Special teams played well. I was really impressed with Niblett’s returns, though I’m skeptical that one or two of them break the way they did against SEC competition. Shipley didn’t miss a kick, and Bouwmeester punted well.

Seven penalties for 81 yards was better than last week but still not where you want to be. A few too many in the secondary and some personal fouls. At least Simmons and Baker were sound.

This was a step back for the Horns. The offense was bad, and concerns still linger. The game plan against Florida and Oklahoma is going to have to be superb if Texas wants to go 2-0. Lose the power run, keep the defense spread out, and use Manning’s legs to get his arm going.

Individual player shoutouts: James Simon, Ryan Niblett, Jelani McDonald, Hero Kanu

Texas is now 2-1 and will host Sam Houston State for the first night game of the year at DKR next Saturday.