Halftime observations from the Texas Longhorns season opener vs. Colorado State Rams

Longhorns lean on Jaydon Blue early, convert good field position into points but some first-game mishaps, too

Brian Davis
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Texas Longhorns
Aaron Meullion-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been about nine months since the Texas Longhorns finished last season in the College Football Playoff. Saturday’s season opener couldn’t get here fast enough.

Now that kickoff is here, coach Steve Sarkisian said, “Got a lot of new faces, but I think we’re ready to go.”

It sure looked like it as No. 4 Texas stormed to a 31-0 halftime lead in the season opener against Colorado State at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Quarterback Quinn Ewers spread the ball around to 10 different receivers, and two of the transfers had touchdown catches.

Fans even got to see Silas Bolden, the electric transfer from Oregon State. He took a punt return 35 yards late in the half to get everyone in burnt orange worked up about the future. 

Sarkisian talked about his excitement over gameday on the pre-game radio show with UT play-by-play announcer Craig Way. But he was also happy about the weather, which hovered in the 90s and wasn’t 100-plus degrees as feared.

“This feels like a real autumn day, here in the upper northeast,” Sarkisian told Way. “We’re lucky. If we can stay like this, this is great.

Pre-game moment for Edith Royal

Prior to the game, Texas officials held a moment of silence for Edith Royal, who passed away this week at age 98. Royal was the widow of former Texas legendary coach Darrell Royal, the stadium’s namesake.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, located at 7127 Bee Cave Road in Austin. Memorial contributions can be made to the Darrell K Royal Fund for Alzheimer's Research at www.dkrfund.org or to the Caritas of Austin or the Center For Child Protection. 

Jaydon Blue gets off to terrific start

The biggest thing any new starter needs is confidence. The Longhorns attempted to do that for Jaydon Blue, the running back who replaced injured starter CJ Baxter.

Sarkisian, who also calls the offensive plays, put the ball in Blue’s hands on the game’s first play. Blue caught a short pass out of the backfield and dashed 15 yards. All systems go.

Three plays later, Blue ran it between the tackles for a two-yard gain. Sarkisian pointed out Monday that Blue has learned how to run between the tackles as a 200-pounder.

On UT’s second possession, Blue took the first play around the right end for a seven-yard gain. Then, he went left for an impressive 17-yard pickup. Blue would finish the half with 54 yards on 10 attempts. 

On the next play, Ewers found tight end Gunnar Helm for a 37-yard gain over the middle and took it down to the CSU 3-yard line. That made it easy work for Quintrevion Wisner, who ran in and gave Texas an early 7-0 lead.

Tough call leads to Texas interception

Blue appeared to make a terrific catch on second-and-13 late in the first quarter. He caught the ball while being wrestled to the ground by a Colorado State defender. But the ball popped out while Blue was on the ground, and officials ruled it was incomplete.

Replays were inconclusive as the Horns got to the line quick to run the next play. Some slow movement would’ve been advisable.

On the next play, Ewers stepped up in the pocket and appeared to get jostled enough the ball was tipped by Colorado State’s James Mitchell. Chase Wilson came down with the tip-drill interception at the Rams’ 17-yard line.

Penalty blows up fourth-down chance

Sarkisian doesn’t have any fears about going for it on fourth down. The Horns were 19-for-31 on fourth-down attempts last season, converting 61.3% of the time.

Sarkisian was itching to go for it again on fourth-and-1 from the Colorado State 22 early in the second quarter. The Horns had terrific field position after blowing up a botched Colorado State punt. The whole thing was set up in beautiful fashion.

However, the Rams came flying through the line before the play began, and UT center Jake Majors was called for a snap infraction. That pushed the Horns back five yards, and Sarkisian settled for the field goal.

Bert Auburn (29-of-35 in 2023) drove home a 45-yard goal to give Texas a 10-0 lead. 

Defense gets off to a strong start

Much was made about which defensive player would wear the in-game helmet radio. Anthony Hill Jr. would have that honor. Did that give him an advantage on UT’s first defensive play? Maybe, maybe not. Hill raced out and took down CSU’s Tory Horton for a 3-yard loss at the Rams’ seven-yard line.

David Gbenda had two bone-rattling tackles in the second quarter, including one on third-and-2 from the CSU 33-yard line. That forced a punt, and Texas raced the other way for a touchdown drive.

Transfer receiver Matthew Golden (Houston) started the drive with a 38-yard catch. He then caught a short 1-yard score on an efficient drive where Ewers went 4-for-4 passing. The Horns went up 17-0 with 5:50 remaining in the first half. 

Barron’s interception gives Texas another chance

Sixth-year senior Jahdae Barron gave the Longhorns another chance late in the first half with a tremendous over-the-shoulder interception in the middle of the field. He dashed 30 yards the other way to the Colorado State 43-yard line.

Ewers went to Blue for a 15-yard gain and, two plays later, hit Isaiah Bond for a 23-yard gain. Ewers went to Bond again for a 7-yard score against man coverage. Ewers had a quick look to his right and then threw left for an easy toss-and-catch. Texas went up 24-0 with 1:55 left in the first half.

Golden would catch another touchdown pass just before halftime and the 32.5-point favorites went into the break leading 31-0. 

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