Steve Sarkisian happy Texas earned SEC title game berth first year, not satisfied yet: 'Our goal is to be champions'

Texas outlasted Texas A&M, 17-7, to win the first matchup of the reborn Lone Star Showdown and, just as importantly, lock up a bid in the SEC title game. There, the Longhorns will rematch with Georgia, the lone team to beat them this season.

And while making it to Atlanta for the league title game was always the goal for Sarkisian, even in Year 1 in the league he won’t just be happy with showing up. Texas is there to win.

“Well, that was the goal coming into it,” Sarkisian said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe during an on-field postgame interview. “It doesn’t matter what conference we’re in. Our goal is to be champions, year in and year out. That’s the standard here at the University of Texas and that will never change.”

Texas got the win on Saturday night largely by virtue of the defense, especially in the second half when the Longhorns offense had several turnovers and key mistakes late in drives that otherwise could’ve ended in points. The only points Texas gave up on Saturday came via a pick six.

Sarkisian sang the praises of his defense, which also came up with a key fourth and goal stop in the 4th quarter, after the win.

“Our defense was fantastic all night,” Sarkisian said. “They really shut ’em out. They got the one interception on the tipped ball for the long touchdown but our defense was fantastic all night long.”

The Longhorns also prevailed by riding a punishing and grinding run game on Saturday night.

Sarkisian told Rowe that he’d challenged his team some months ago to get more rugged on the ground, in preparation for the stretch run and to face a team like Georgia again, this time with a conference title at stake.

“Well we challenged them about a month ago, that our run game had to get going. This guy right here’s been a warrior this last month,” Sarkisian said, pointing to running back Tre Wisner standing to his side. “So just love what the O line’s doing, the tight end. And this guy’s brought a lot of heart to this unit and it’s been great.”

And now, the Longhorns will turn their focus to the Bulldogs for the second time this season, and seek to avenge a 30-15 loss.

“It feels pretty good,” Sarkisian said of the achievement on Saturday night. “The rivalry’s one things. But the opportunity now to go compete for an SEC championship our first year in the conference is pretty exciting. But it’s going to be a heck of a challenge.”