Texas began their SEC slate with a road win, beating Tennessee 20-17 on Saturday. In what’s becoming a trend, the defensive dominance picked up the offensive inconsistency. Despite that, there were multiple bright spots on the offense, particularly two individual performances. On defense, there wasn’t a bad performance but there was one that stole the show.
Here are my Longhorns
of the win over Tennessee:Offense: Ryan Wingo and Raleek Brown
These were the bright spots for the Longhorns offense. Wingo, even with the mistake on the onside kick, put together a great performance. He finished the way as the only Longhorn with more than two catches, racking up 6 for 74 yards. He added some incredible blocking, including one that spurred Raleek Brown’s first TD.
Ryan Wingo turns a potential
negative play into a first down. pic.twitter.com/TSLSYPuqaw
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) September 26, 2026
As for Brown, he didn’t have a perfect day but his tough running in the fourth quarter was very impressive. He finished the day with 17 carries for 67 yards(3.9 yards/carry) and both Texas TDs. He added a ridiculous 360 hurdle, for what amounted to the most impressive 7-yard run I’ve ever seen. Brown, especially without Hollywood Smothers, was the most important offensive piece for Texas in this game and he stepped up.
Texas RB Raleek Brown had one of the craziest hurdles you'll ever see.
— Underdog CFB (@UnderdogCFB) September 27, 2026
360 spin mid-air over a defender.
pic.twitter.com/69V2Ud09HU
Defense: Colin Simmons
There wasn’t a singular defensive player for Texas that put in a bad performance yesterday. There are 5 or 6 Longhorns that, in any other week, would’ve earned this honor. This week, Colin Simmons put together one of the best defensive performances in college football history. He finished the day with 5 sacks, 10 pressures, 5 TFLs and multiple other near sacks. Despite the terrible unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, Simmons was the most dominant player on the field yesterday.
Colin Simmons today (30 pass rush snaps):
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) September 26, 2026
• 5 sacks
• 2 QB hits
• 3 hurries
• 10 total pressures
• 8 Tkls
• 5 TFLs
• 8 run stops
Unreal afternoon for one of the premier defenders in the country.
Special Teams: Gianni Spetic
The special teams put in a very frustrating performance yesterday. Gave up the Tennessee TD that tied the game and added multiple penalties to the Longhorns total. Outside of the punt game, Gianni Spetic went 2/2, including an inevitably important 44-yarder in the 3rd quarter. The unit as a whole struggled but the transfer kicker continues his perfect season.
Gianni Spetic makes the FG and Texas leads 13-10 pic.twitter.com/koDgI2Ld4d
— FD (@flooduck) September 26, 2026
Coaching: Will Muschamp
Will Muschamp continues to be the most important offseason addition by Steve Sarkisian. His defense, outside of the Ohio State first half, has been downright dominant. Yesterday was their best performance of the year, reeling in 10 sacks and 12 TFLs, totally shutting down the Volunteer offense. He’s been as advertised as the Texas defensive coordinator and yesterday was his best game yet.
The Texas defense has allowed 4 touchdowns through four games
— One Stop Texas (@OneStopHorns) September 26, 2026
Elite | #HookEm pic.twitter.com/d5u4wCSu5e
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns of the Week: Brown, Simmons, Muschamp shine vs. Tennessee
