Texas star blames Steve Sarkisian for flat offensive performance against Ohio State
Honesty is never a bad thing, but there are times when some consideration should be given for how a message could be received. Unfortunately for Texas star tight end Gunnar Helm, he seemed to send the wrong message at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. When asked by reporters about how Ohio State's defense and safety […]
Honesty is never a bad thing, but there are times when some consideration should be given for how a message could be received. Unfortunately for Texas star tight end Gunnar Helm, he seemed to send the wrong message at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
When asked by reporters about how Ohio State's defense and safety tandem affected the Texas offense, Helm alluded to Steve Sarkisian being out-coached and out-schemed.
"We tried our best to prepare for that but in the end, I think we got a little out schemed and did what we could."
Helm's answer gave a lot of deserved praise to the Buckeyes, but he wasn't wrong about his candid admission. It's just surprising to see, given the fact that Texas seemed more overwhelmed by the Buckeyes' physicality and scheme than anything the Longhorns weren't doing.
That isn't to say Texas couldn't have adjusted sooner, but the Longhorns lost Matthew Golden so early in the game and couldn't run the ball, so what could Sarkisian really do? Their pivot to target the running backs was a positive one that nearly won them the game despite being outplayed.
Helm spoke his truth, and he's not to blame for how he feels. But saying the Longhorns were out-schemed feels a bit like a cop out when his teammates didn't make plays when they had the chance.
