As we continue the reaction to Texas’ first loss of the season, it’s time to highlight the bright spots for the Longhorns. The offense left much to be desired, the special teams allowed a score for a second straight week and the coaching left much to be desired. Despite that, there were stars that impacted the game positively for Texas and gave the Longhorns a chance to win.
Texas Offense: Cam Coleman
This feels rather easy. Coleman put together a 5 catch, 110 yard, 1 TD performance, with multiple explosive plays included. The TD catch and the explosive in the fourth quarter were downright elite plays that showed Coleman’s ability. He had some troubles getting separation at times but he was the most productive offensive playmaker for Texas yesterday. I imagine we will
see more plays going Coleman’s way moving forward.
Texas Defense: Colin Simmons
Oklahoma, after an early flurry, did what many Longhorns opponents have done: rely on the quick passing game. That can make it difficult for pass rushers like Simmons to be felt in the stat sheet as much. That said, Simmons still logged 2 sacks, 3 TFLs and did a great job setting the edge against the run throughout the game. It wasn’t an overwhelming defensive performance but the Longhorns star’s presence was still felt.
Texas Special Teams: No One
It’s very simple. Special teams need to be, at worst, a net neutral unit. Instead, Jeff Banks’ unit is -14 points over the last two weeks, this time a blocked punt that gave Oklahoma their first life of the game. Gianni Spetic 53-yard missed FG is not an unforgivable mistake but is an inopportune miss on a kick he can make. Overall, this unit gave nothing to Texas to aid a win, they actually hurt them multiple times.
Texas Coaching: Will Muschamp
I’m not sure there will ever be another name here all season. Muschamp and the Texas defense is the reason the CFP is not out of the picture for the Longhorns. He’s the reason Steve Sarkisian and Jeff Banks’ shortcomings haven’t led to a 2-3 record for Texas. This wasn’t the dominant performance Texas fans became used to but, outside a singular explosive run and a few mental mistakes, his defense played incredibly well.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns of the Week: Coleman, Simmons, Muschamp shine in loss
