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Press Conference Reaction: Sark Speaks on Neto Umeozulu’s Absence, Needing Red River Win, Stopping OU

by: Evan Vieth10/09/25

Steve Sarkisian speaks on the urgency of winning the Red River Shootout and Oklahoma’s offense. Get the full breakdown of Sark’s key comments and what they mean heading into Saturday’s showdown.

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The Inside Texas press conference reaction provides an in-depth preview of the Texas Longhorns’ upcoming Red River rivalry game against Oklahoma. Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns head coach, emphasized that this matchup is “not business as usual,” signaling the heightened importance of the game given Texas’s current season trajectory. Unlike previous weeks where every game was treated the same, the team understands that every remaining game from this point forward is critical, essentially a must-win to remain in playoff contention. The discussion highlights concerns and questions around Texas’s offensive line, particularly inconsistencies at the guard positions, where players like Neto Umeozulu, Cole Hutson, and Nate Kibble are being evaluated for their reliability and technique. Sarkisian repeatedly stressed the need for consistency and assignment soundness, which have been lacking and impacted the team’s performance.

The analysis also dives into Oklahoma’s offensive scheme led by coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who runs an evolved air raid offense with unique wrinkles, including a quarterback run game designed to keep defenses off balance. This offense contrasts with the traditional Mike Leach air raid system by incorporating more QB runs and short-yardage plays, making it a complex challenge for Texas’ defense. The Longhorns’ defensive personnel, including NFL-caliber defensive backs, is seen as a potential counter to Oklahoma’s scheme.

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