No. 7 Texas football picked up a third consecutive win on Saturday, as the team defeated No. 18 Missouri, 34-20, on the road in Columbia. Texas improved to 7-2 overall (4-2 in SEC play), with several freshmen contributing to another victory over a ranked conference opponent.
Now, let’s get into how the freshmen performed against the Tigers.
WR Jermaine Bishop Jr. sees end zone
Bishop delivered one of his most productive performances, playing a career-high 39 snaps and receiving five targets, finishing the game with four receptions for 60
yards and a touchdown, with his biggest contribution coming early in the second half, when Arch Manning found him for a 25-yard score on 3rd and 10. The reception tied the game at 20 after Missouri had taken a seven-point lead.
It was Bishop’s second touchdown reception of the season.
The first-year wide receiver continued contributing well into the fourth quarter this past week, when he recorded catches of 14, 12, and nine yards. His first two receptions of the quarter moved the chains and helped Texas sustain drives as the Longhorns completed a comeback.
Bishop’s performance was a considerable improvement over his three-reception, 17-yard outing against Mississippi State the previous week.
“The thing about Jermaine, the moment is never too big for him. He has got such a calm demeanor about himself. He loves the game. He’s always talking about the game of football,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said.
“Things make sense to him, the nuances of a game plan make sense to him. The football IQ is very, very high, but I also think the demeanor, the moment’s not too big, and he’s earned our trust to put him out there and let him go play.”
Bishop also played 15 snaps on special teams on kick return, kick coverage, and punt coverage, elevating his special teams snap total to 126 this season.
RB Derrek Cooper also scores
Cooper made an early impact against Missouri, catching a 24-yard touchdown pass from Manning with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter.
The reception tied the game at seven and marked the freshman running back’s first career receiving touchdown.
Cooper finished with one reception for 24 yards and two rushing attempts for two yards. He gained five yards on one carry before losing three on another.
Although his rushing opportunities remained limited, Cooper demonstrated his ability to contribute to Texas’ passing attack.
Bishop also received credit for Sarkisian for his downfield block on Cooper’s touchdown.
CB Smoke Matthews continues seeing playing time
Matthews recorded one solo tackle against Missouri in 16 special teams snaps on kick coverage, punt coverage, and punt return.
The freshman cornerback brought down DaMarion Fowlkes after a 27-yard kickoff return in the first quarter.
Matthews entered the contest as part of his own effort to build on a two-tackle performance against Mississippi State, when he recorded two solo stops.
Four others see special teams action
Wide receiver Kohen Brown (21 snaps), linebacker Kosi Okpala (21 snaps), wide receiver Chris Stewart (12 snaps), and safety Toray Davis (11 snaps) also saw playing time on special teams.
Looking ahead and a quick wrap-up
Saturday’s win over Missouri featured a notable milestone for Texas’ freshman class, with Bishop and Cooper each scoring on receptions against a ranked conference opponent.
Texas football will now look to extend their three-game winning streak as they travel to Baton Rouge to face LSU on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m. Central.
