Top PFF grades from No. 7 Texas' 26-16 win over Iowa State
After the No. 7 Texas Longhorns’ 26-16 win over Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday night, Inside Texas takes a look at the Pro Football Focus grades on offense and defense following the Longhorns clinching their first 10-win regular season since 2009.
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OFFENSE
QB – Quinn Ewers, 86.9
Ewers overcame a slow first quarter to thrive in the final three periods. He was 23-of-33 passing for 281 yards, two touchdowns and zero turnovers. This was Ewers highest-rated game of the 2023 season.
RB – Jaydon Blue, 62.1, Cedric Baxter, 74.9
Baxter (50 snaps) filled in for the injured Jonathon Brooks admirably, with a career-high 117 yards on the ground, and 13 yards receiving on five catches. Blue (23 snaps) added some burst, with 50 yards on 11 touches.
WR – Jordan Whittington, 73.2, Xavier Worthy, 59.4
The super senior Whittington found the end zone for the first time in 2023. He had 56 yards receiving on three critical catches, with one touchdown. Worthy tallied 77 yards receiving on four grabs before exiting the second half with an injury.
TE – Ja’Tavion Sanders, 56.3, Gunnar Helm, 64.6
Sanders and Helm combined for 72 yards receiving on four catches, including Helm’s second career scoring catch in the second half.
OL – Kelvin Banks, 72.0, Christian Jones, 78.4
Offensive linemen Kelvin Banks (71 snaps) and Christian Jones (71 snaps) anchored the O-line attack up front, while DJ Campbell (33 snaps) added a 68.0 score.
DEFENSE
DL/EDGE – T’Vondre Sweat, 89.8, Byron Murphy, 89.1, Alfred Collins, 77.7
Sweat (38 snaps) and Murphy (33 snaps) continue to dominate for the Texas defense with Sweat and Murphy adding three tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2.5 tackles for loss. Collins (22 snaps) added three tackles and a sack as well. Sweat also had a pass break-up and this clutch extra point block.
LB – David Gbenda, 86.4, Anthony Hill Jr, 68.5
Gbenda (25 snaps) was tremendous with four tackles while leading the team with an 84.5 tackling grade. Hill Jr. (32 snaps) tallied four tackles as well in a strong performance from the front seven.
CB/N – Malik Muhammad, 67.8, Jahdae Barron, 57.8
With both combining for four tackles, Muhammad (28 snaps) led the cornerbacks in grades, while Barron (52 snaps) added a 77.9% tackling mark playing Star and corner.
S – Michael Taaffe, 68.8, Jerrin Thompson, 75.7
The safety duo of Taaffe (38 snaps) and Thompson (39 snaps) were solid in most spots, with Thompson snagging his third interception of the season in the third quarter.
