On what many dubbed "Separation Saturday,” the Longhorns found a way to get a 34-20 road win over Missouri. The offense put together their most complete performance since Texas State. The defense put together another elite performance
, limiting an explosive and complete Missouri offense. In a game that never got beyond a 7-point lead until the fourth quarter, Texas proved to be the tougher football team.Among a great team performance, there were a few that stood out among the pack:
Texas Longhorns Offense: Arch Manning & Raleek Brown
This was Arch Manning’s best performance of the season. There were still moments of indecision but overall, it was a decisive and accurate performance. He finished the day 28/38(74%) for 297 passing yards and 3 TDs, to go with his first turnover-free SEC game of the season. If
that’s the performance Texas will get from Manning moving forward, they can finish 10-2 and make a run in the CFP. Another great performance in Baton Rouge next week would do wonders for his building confidence.
Next to him, Raleek Brown continued to prove his worth, racking up 133 total yards and 2 TDs, both in the fourth quarter. His ability in the receiving game continues to be huge for Texas. The vision and short-area quickness in the run game is special. With Hollywood Smothers out for the season, it seems Brown is ready to carry the load as RB1. That’s two of the last three games where Brown has made game-changing runs and catches that delivered Texas a win.
Texas Longhorns Defense: Rasheem Biles
This is the biggest addition, outside Will Muschamp, Texas made this season. Biles stuffed the stat sheet again, racking up 6 tackles, 0.5 TFLs, 2 PDs and 2 QB hits. He continues to be a difference maker at every level of the defense, impacting the passer while guarding Cayden Lee in man coverage. It’s difficult to find a defensive player, much less a LB, playing at a higher level than Biles right now. Once Colin Simmons gets back(likely against LSU), Texas could have the best defensive duo in the country.
Texas Longhorns Special Teams: Jonathan Cunningham
The special teams put together a very up-and-down performance yesterday. One of the major bright spots was Johnathan Cunningham’s punt block and recovery, which set up Texas for a game-tying FG. Cunningham has been an unsung player for the Longhorns this season, spending most of his time on special teams. Yesterday, he made a play that gave Texas an important three points when they needed it in a must-win game.
Texas Longhorns Coaching: Steve Sarkisian
This award has gone to Will Muschamp in every SEC game this season. Yesterday, Muschamp was brilliant as always but Steve Sarkisian earned this week’s recognition. It was his best playcalling performance of the season, finally marrying the run with the pass. Pass catchers were consistently open for Arch Manning, leading to six plays of 20+ yards. Especially in the second half, Sarkisian was as good as he’s been all season and got his fourth Top 25 win of the season. In a chaotic, weird season, Sarkisian has his team in a great position for the CFP entering the final stretch of the season.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns of the Game vs. Missouri: Manning, Brown, Biles, Sarkisian
