Steve Sarkisian details Texas' improvements in road games

Texas showcased its improved toughness in road games with a blowout win over rival Oklahoma in Norman. In recent years, the Longhorns were more prone to roll over in road games. They just didn’t respond to adversity well. But that seems to be changing this season, starting with that victory over the Sooners.

Texas now goes on the road for three of their next four games — all contests at Big 12 opponents. So this newfound road toughness will need to stick for Texas to finish strong against a string of conference foes on the road.

After that Oklahoma win, Longhorn head coach Steve Sarkisian pointed to more maturity among his team for the win.

“Well, I think it starts with maturity. I think, when you can improve, just maturing in our program and the process of the things that we put importance on, then you can have poise and composure. Poise and composure is really important on the road.” Texas had plenty of both on Saturday night in front of a raucous crowd.

“Again, you’re in an environment, crowd’s not cheering for you, they’re cheering against you. And when adversity strikes on the road, that doesn’t have to mean it’s adversity for the next quarter. It can be for that one play. And then you gotta have the ability to move onto the next.”

Lastly, Steve Sarkisian added an emphasis on mental intensity for finishing games on the road.

“But I do think it takes mental intensity. It takes focus, it takes maturity. But it also takes poise and composure on the road. And then, playing as one. I think complementary football is really important on the road. And that’s something we’ve been really pushing for, advocating for.

“I think our guys have done that. Been able to control, regain control of the game by being able to run the football, having long drives, getting the defense rest so they can be better. Then vice-versa, creating some turnovers to give your offense a short field, I think is important. So all those things add up. But to me, it starts with the maturity and the approach that you take going into the game.”