Steve Sarkisian praises Texas’ response down several stars due to injury: ‘Ultimate team sport’
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The Texas Longhorns had their backs against the wall entering Week 8. Steve Sarkisian‘s team lost back-to-back games in Weeks 6 and 7, leading to questions about his job status and their quarterbacks’ position on the depth chart ahead of a showdown with No. 7 Ole Miss.
One Saturday night in Austin later, the narrative has changed. Texas rose to the occasion and hung 24 points on the Rebels in the first half before prevailing 34-27. The triumph is the Longhorns’ second top 10 win of the season. After the game, Texas’ head coach applauded his squad’s resilience.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t say, this is the ultimate team sport. We played without Colin Simmons… without Hollywood Smothers,” Sarkisian told reporters. “We essentially played the entire game without Trevor Goosby… without Cam Coleman. And we played the number seven ranked team in the country and won by a touchdown. So, I’m proud of our team.”
The Longhorns now have victories over the Ohio State Buckeyes, Tennessee Volunteers and Rebels on their College Football Playoff resume. ESPN’s Football Power Index now gives Texas (5-2, 2-2 SEC) a 57.4% chance of reaching the CFP, the eighth-best odds in the nation. Arch Manning and Co. battle the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Halloween night (7:30 p.m. E.T., ESPN).
