One position group in particular stood out to Texas Longhorns’ HC Steve Sarkisian in the 55-0 win over Sam Houston
If Texas is going to take the next step in 2025, this group needs to be difference makers.
Texas made quick work of Sam Houston Saturday in a 55-0 win. Arch Manning was surgical throwing for 300+ yards and finishing with five total touchdowns. But afterwards in the post game press conference, head coach Steve Sarkisian was quite pleased with one group in particular.
“The receivers, they made some really good catches tonight. We’ve been on these guys about it’s not always going to be perfect. This isn’t a walk through,” Sarkisian said. “There’s guys under duress in the backfield, there’s DBs guarding you. And there were some really good catches tonight.”
We talked a lot all week about how Manning was pressing and trying to do too much. On Saturday, he was dialed in, on time with his throws, and stayed in rhythm in his best game of the season.
Several pass-catchers stepped up for Texas Saturday.
Ryan Wingo, DeAndre Moore, and Parker Livingstone combined for 12 catches for 206 yards. But others in the room impressed Sarkisian and had a big night.
“Daylan McCutcheon makes a great catch early in the game. And so I think building that confidence of making your own plays when they come your way is helpful,” Sarkisian said. “Like I said, I thought DeMo was a great spark for us, getting him back in practice and then getting him back playing.”
Elsewhere you had Ryan Niblett make a big catch for 39 yards and Jordan Washington had two catches for 33 yards and a score. Obviously everyone knows about Wingo, Moore, and Livingstone, so others need to continue to step up. Jack Endries was not out there Saturday and he figures to be a huge part of the offense moving forward, but it was a good sign for the Texas coaches to see others pick up the slack.
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“I think for Ryan, you know, his first touchdown catch was not easy, a diving catch. But I thought the adjustment that he made on the deep ball back over his shoulder for that catch was a heck of a catch,” Sarkisian said. “So I think everybody’s confidence built, and with confidence you play a little faster, you play a little bit more free, you play a little bit more loose. And you can feel that come out of the offense tonight, which was definitely encouraging.”
Wingo was visibly excited after the game. He played down the notion of a weight coming off his shoulders but despite being humble, you can tell he was most likely a little relieved to get back on track with Manning.
“We had a good week of practice,” Wingo said. “Stacking a lot of good days so it actually did take a little weight off but we just got to keep working.”
