Steve Sarkisian details what he learned about Texas during bye week

The Texas Longhorns were inactive over the weekend as they enjoyed a much-needed bye week. Texas has had a solid start to the 2023 season despite coming up just short against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry.

Now, it is on to the second half of the season with a road matchup against the Houston Cougars. But before they take on their US-290 rivals, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian shared what he’s learned about his Texas squad during the bye week. He addressed some areas he would like to see some improvement in during the second half of the season.

“Our red zone execution is an area where if we want to be the team that we think we’re capable of being, we have to take that to another level. And that evaluation was not just of the players; that was of the coaches, the gameplan, of the playcaller,” said Sarkisian.

“I think defensively, we’ve played really good football. But as I look at ourselves defensively, an area where I know we can approve is we’ve got to take the ball off of people more, and we’ve got to attempt to take the ball off of people more. We’ve created some interceptions, but we really haven’t knocked the ball off of people and created turnovers. And I know we’re more than capable of doing it.”

On offense, Texas has been solid on 3rd downs, converting nearly 41 percent of their tries. And on 4th down, the Longhorns have been even better, converting on ten of their 14 attempts for a 71.4 completion percentage. That ability to convert on late downs has allowed the Texas offense to dictate the pace of games and, ultimately, the outcome of them.

Defensively, the Longhorns have forced eight turnovers on the season, with six of those being interceptions. Still, to Sarkisian point, his team has only been able to force one of the two fumbles they have recovered.

“Sometimes, things can get lost throughout the season. We have got to continually, as a staff, emphasize getting the ball off of our opponents.”

Sarkisian issues challenge for the second half of the season

Sarkisian wasn’t contempt just talking about his office and defense, as the Longhorns headman also discussed the play of his special teams unit, which has been a bright spot for the Longhorns all season long. And the clothes he gave his final assessment of the Texas program heading into the second half of the season and issued a challenge to one group in particular: his coaching staff.

“I love the fact that we’re attacking the kicking game on special teams,” said Sarkisian. “We blocked the punt last week; I really think we should have blocked the second one. We just slipped, and our angle got off. We’ve been really close on the field goal game of blocking kicks there. So, I like that, but I think we can be even more effective on special teams.

“like anything, we’re constantly trying to push our guys. But to push our players, we have to push our staff. Our staff’s gotta keep working towards those things as well. So, all in all, I’m pleased with where we’re at at this point in all three phases. But also know we can be better. And that’s our job to motivate the guys to continue to improve now in the second half of the season.”