The first loss of the season for the Texas Longhorns came in the final seconds of the annual Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners, as the Sooners escaped a third consecutive loss by pulling off a last-second 27-24 win at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday. But amid the late-game heartbreak for Texas and its fans, freshman wide receiver Jermaine Bishop Jr. delivered a memorable moment, catching his first career touchdown against the Sooners.
Here’s how Texas’ freshmen fared in Dallas over the weekend.
WR Jermaine Bishop Jr.
Bishop came through when Texas needed a response and found the end zone. After Oklahoma took a 24-17 lead on Peyton Bowen’s 42-yard interception return, the Longhorns answered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive. Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning capped it by finding Bishop for a 15-yard touchdown with 6:32 remaining, tying the game at 24.
The touchdown was the first of Bishop’s college career. In 10 snaps, it was the only reception for Bishop on two targets, but the timing made it the most notable freshman contribution of the afternoon.
The Longhorns have used some 10 personnel to get Bishop into the game, but it still requires someone else coming off.
“The challenge is who do you take out, right? Obviously, Jermaine is a guy that we’ve tried to get involved, get featured, and obviously showed up Saturday,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday.
RB Derrek Cooper
Freshman running back Derrek Cooper finished with eight carries for 41 yards, including a long run of 16 yards. Beyond his longest gain of the night, Cooper had several important runs during Texas’ second quarter scoring drive, including gains of 16, nine, and 11 yards. The Longhorns eventually settled for a 23-yard Gianni Spetic field goal, taking a 17-7 lead into halftime.
Granted, Cooper didn’t find the end zone throughout Texas’ outing versus Oklahoma, but he continued to receive opportunities against a defense that limited Texas’ big play potential after halftime.
“Derrek is earning more opportunities. Obviously, he was coming off of the injury, and so the more he continues to do, the more opportunities he’ll get,” Sarkisian said.
DL Richard Wesley
Freshman defensive lineman Richard Wesley was credited with a quarterback hurry in the third quarter of the Longhorns eventual loss to the Sooners. On an Oklahoma offensive possession, Wesley pressured quarterback John Mateer into an incomplete pass on third down. Oklahoma settled for a 53-yard field goal on the drive.
It was a small contribution, but a noted one in two snaps.
Special teams
Three freshmen appeared on special teams for Texas — Bishop played 14 snaps on three units (kick return, punt return, punt coverage), wide receiver Kohen Brown played 24 snaps across four units (kick return, kick coverage, punt return, and punt coverage), and linebacker Kosi Okpala saw action for 18 snaps (kick return, kick coverage, and punt coverage.
