How Texas fared in its first offensive plays from scrimmage in 2022

Playcalling isn’t a gameday only responsibility. It’s something that coaches like Steve Sarkisian have to craft Monday through Friday for an opponent. And like most coaches say, starting fast is important.

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Texas had 13 opening drives on offense last year, and utilized a variety of playcalls for the first snap. Some of those plays were successful, some went for double-digit yardage, and others were either misread, not completed, or stuffed.

When opening scripts are critical to success, especially for a coach like Sarkisian with a reputation for strong opening scripts, the very beginning of those drives are important. How did Texas fare on their first offensive play from scrimmage in each game in 2022?

ULM

Start: 1st and 10 from the -27
Result: Bijan Robinson 3-yard rush

The first offensive snap for the Longhorns of 2022 went to — who else? — Bijan Robinson. Robinson makes the most of a small hole despite a few missed blocks.

Alabama

Start: 1st and 10 from the -27
Result: Quinn Ewers pass complete to Ja’Tavion Sanders for 8 yards

The start of a sizzling first quarter for Ewers and a nice job by Sanders to impede the defender before heading downfield. Christian Jones makes a great block, too.

UTSA

Start: 1st and 10 from the -25
Result: Bijan Robinson 5-yard rush

Another case of Robinson finding yards that most other backs would be unable to discover.

Texas Tech

Start: 1st and 10 from the -38
Result: Hudson Card pass complete to Bijan Robinson for 22 yards

Even the Texas Tech safety knows Robinson can beat him deep. Card does a nice job of exiting the pocket and throwing on the run to Robinson, who does well to help his scrambling quarterback.

Note that even on the first offensive play from scrimmage, Sarkisian comes out in a five-wide set. Games prior included 11 and 12 personnel but from more conventional looks.

West Virginia

Start: 1st and 10 from the -13
Result: Hudson Card pass complete to Ja’Tavion Sanders for 11 yards

An easy read for Card, and the first RPO to open a series.

Oklahoma

Start: 1st and 10 from the -25
Result: Bijan Robinson 4-yard rush

This may look like an RPO but it’s a give the whole way. Worthy and Casey Cain at the bottom are doing their part to carry out the fake more than to actually get ready to make a play.

Iowa State

Start: 1st and 10 from the +21
Result: Bijan Robinson no gain

This came after a blocked punt and is what Ian Boyd likes to call Ezekiel’s Wheel, which is an RPO that this time indicated handoff. Ewers sees a defender in the flat and knows the corner carried Worthy at the bottom of the screen. To Ewers, that indicates a light box and a give read. The line just can’t block as needed.

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Oklahoma State

Start: 1st and 10 from the -25
Result: Quinn Ewers pass intended for Xavier Worthy incomplete

This one won’t go into GIF form for some reason, but it’s above and the first play of the video. Ewers misses Worthy on an easy crossing route.

Kansas State

Start: 1st and 10 from the -25
Result: Quinn Ewers pass intended for Ja’Tavion Sanders incomplete

For a coach who loves the deep pass, the first designed deep shot on an opening play didn’t come until November. A jump ball intended for Sanders falls to the turf but not without some potentially early contact from the defensive back. It’s not the most mechanically sound throw from Ewers.

TCU

Start: 1st and 10 from the +43
Result: Quinn Ewers pass intended for Xavier Worthy incomplete

2022 Thorpe Award winner Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson makes a rangy play on a ball from Ewers that should have been a bit closer to the sideline. Excellent defensive play, however.

Kansas

Start: 1st and 10 from the -25
Result: Quinn Ewers pass complete to Xavier Worthy for 6 yards

Presnap numbers dictated that this become a screen to the outside. Good delivery, good read, good start to a prolific offensive day for the Longhorns.

Baylor

Start: 1st and 14 from the -4
Result: Bijan Robinson 3-yard rush

After a false start on Hayden Conner, Texas just hands the ball off to try to grab some breathing room.

Washington

Start: 1st and 10 at the -27
Result: Keilan Robinson 5-yard rush

The first play after a sudden change, Ewers appears to be reading the safety off-screen and his movement indicates he should give the ball.

Total

Passing: 4-of-7 for 47 yards

Rushing: 20 yards on 6 carries.

Total: 67 yards, 5.15 yards per play

Sarkisian likes to say that his offense works best when it can attack teams from multiple personnel packages and in multiple ways. His choices for beginning drives certainly reflects that, as he used run plays, RPOs, pass plays, and play-action in order to start what usually was a strong script.

Results were above average, with some of that due to strong play in multiple areas by Bijan Robinson. How Sarkisian adjusts for the first play of games this year without him will determine not only how drives will start, but how many will finish too.