ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Texas didn’t give up a touchdown to Michigan until the game’s final two minutes in the Longhorns’ 31-12 win on Saturday, and it wasn’t all because of the Wolverines’ problems at quarterback.
A hard-hitting defense had a say in it.
The Longhorns held Michigan to just 85 yards rushing on 23 carries and broke up four of Davis Warren’s 33 passes and intercepted two more.
Texas has created five turnovers in its first two games.
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Related:Texas’ rout of Michigan shows no moment is too big for Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns
Head coach Steve Sarkisian cited a “level of physicality” in his defense. Not just upfront, but in the secondary, as well, led by the efforts of Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba, a transfer from Clemson who had four tackles, an interception and broke up a pass Saturday.
“I feel like I’ve taken my game to a different level,” Mukuba said. “Going into the game, my confidence was pretty high.”
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Jaydon Blue hopped off the field in the first quarter with a twisted ankle, leaving Texas with just two scholarship running backs, if you don’t count Velton Gardner, who’s been on campus for two weeks.
But Jerrick Gibson, a freshman from Florida, scored his second touchdown of the season and led the Longhorns in carries with 10 for 36 yards. He and Quintrevion Wisner held the backfield together until Blue returned in the second half and caught a 7-yard touchdown pass for Texas’ final score.
“We knew they had one of the best defenses in the country,” said Blue, who finished with nine carries for 25 yards and reported that his ankle is fine, “and that, in order for us to win, we had to run the ball.”
Briefly: Even if it was only the second time Texas and Michigan have ever played and the first since the Longhorns’ 37-36 win in the 2005 Rose Bowl, Michigan fans have the “Horns down” down pat. … Going into the game, Michigan had won 41 of its last 44 games and 23 in a row at home. … Bert Auburn, who at one point last year made 19 field goals in a row and missed just six, was 1 of 2 Saturday, missing wide right on a 42-yard attempt on Texas’ first drive. … Freshman punter Michael Kern has punted just three times in two games.
Twitter: @KSherringtonDMN
Quinn Ewers cool, calm, in-command as Longhorns make statement at the Big HouseTexas’ rout of Michigan shows no moment is too big for Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns
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Publish date : 2024-09-07 15:05:00
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