Steve Sarkisian evaluates first half from Texas
Texas heads into the locker room with a sizable lead over Louisiana-Monroe, 24-3. Highlights have included Quinn Ewers throwing his first touchdown pass and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown being all over the field. Overall a solid half for the Longhorns, head coach Steve Sarkisian gave his thoughts as he left the field.
Sarkisian first discussed how the offensive unit is performing, citing a couple of missed opportunities. Most notably, the missed field goal right as the clock hit zero, with a mishold. The most positive note according to the head coach is the running game with Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson.
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“Well, I think we’re running the ball pretty well,” Sarkisian said. “After the first series, where we had the pick, we moved it pretty good. Stalled out two drives ago, right before the end of the half. I thought there was good execution to get the field goal opportunity. Unfortunately, just a poor hold.”
Robinson is currently averaging 7.1 yards per carry, totaling 57 yards. Johnson is the only running back who has found the endzone, scoring a 16-yard touchdown. Being happy with the running back will most likely be a common theme for Sarkisian all season.
Steve Sarkisian discusses defensive tackling
On the defensive side, Sarkisian gave mixed reactions to Texas’ tackling. He said while the overall product may not be perfect, he is enjoying how the Longhorns are swarming the ball. At the end of the day, the Louisana-Monroe players are getting down.
“I like the fact that we’re populating the ball,” said Sarkisian. “We’re not tackling perfect but there’s a lot of white hats getting to the football and getting them on the ground.”
Louisiana-Monroe did not move the ball well throughout the entire first half. They were able to gain a field goal after Ewers threw his first-half interception. As Sarkisian said, Texas players have been all over the field and swarming the ball. The Warhawks just broke the 100-yard mark in two quarters.
Texas will get the ball to begin the second half, hoping to add to their already large lead. Sarkisian and his staff will be putting major emphasis on closing games out well after a couple of meltdowns last season. Sarkisian will have a few decisions to make as well when it comes to playing his starters.