Texas Longhorns sophomore linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith will not be available on Friday against the Texas A&M Aggies after the conference denied the program’s appeal of Smith’s second-half targeting ejection
in Saturday’s win over the Arkansas Razorbacks, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said on Monday.
“We did appeal it, and our appeal was denied,” Sarkisian said during his weekly press conference.
Officials flagged the 6’1, 216-pounder for a hit on a 3rd and 12 completion last in the third quarter and let the call stand on review.
Sarkisian disagreed with it.
“I thought it was a good, clean football hit. Again, those are really hard to officiate, especially in in the moment, and that’s a difficult one because I thought Ty’Anthony used really good fundamentals and techniques — he kept the crown of his helmet out of it, he wrapped, he didn’t launch himself into the receiver,” Sarkisian said.
With the availability of star junior linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. still in question after the Butkus Award finalist suffered a broken hand in the loss to Georgia and missed the Arkansas game, not having Smith available in the first half on Friday is a significant setback for Texas.
The Jasper product has increasingly earned playing time over junior Leona Lefau, including a 36-to-29 edge in snaps against the Bulldogs, because of Smith’s range and natural playmaking ability that has surfaced with three forced fumbles this season, tied with Hill for the team lead. With 47 tackles, Smith ranks fifth on the team in that category, adding 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and a pass broken up.
Smith played arguably the best game of his career against Georgia, recording a career-high nine tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack.
Since Smith will miss the first half of Friday’s game, expect to see a start from Lefau, although defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski could opt to pair redshirt senior Trey Moore with Hill if the junior standout is available.
