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The Texas Longhorns defense remains the staple of the 2024 season

On3 imageby:Justin Wells•11/09/24
Trey Moore
Trey Moore Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

When you have a team coached by an offensive guru like Steve Sarkisian and a talented quarterback like Quinn Ewers, you might assume the Texas Longhorns would an offensive based program. And as it pertains to 2024, you’d be wrong.

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The No. 5 Texas Longhorns defense has been the staple of the program this season. Even in today’s 49-17 win over Florida, the group gave up 329 total yards, the first time an opponent has eclipsed the 300-yard mark this season.

But even with that data point in mind, the game wasn’t close. Texas led 35-0 at halftime behind a defense that forced four tackles for loss and two turnovers before the end of the second quarter. It started with EDGE Trey Moore.

“I don’t really worry too much about the statistics,” Moore told Inside Texas, who is still looking for his first sack as a Longhorn. “I just try to come out here and play my part, playing good football to help the defense win games.”

Moore had four tackles, two tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery that he almost brought to the house.

“I did see the end zone,” said Moore with a giant smile. “I should’ve kept it outside. But it is what it is.”

Moore, a transfer from UTSA, has found a niche within the Texas defensive front, and feels more comfortable each Saturday.

“I’m letting the game come to me,” said Moore. “I’m letting God’s plan workout for myself. We just know the type of talent we have on defense and the type of players we have from the one-deep to the two-deep to the three-deep, everybody can play some ball. We just want to do our part to help the team win games.”

Safety Andrew Mukuba notched another interception on Saturday, and had the same feeling after seeing nothing but green ahead of him. But a bond and closeness with Michael Taaffe and Jahdae Barron is one of the foundations of this defense.

“In a close game, that’s really valuable,” Mukuba said. “I feel like our connection is different. There’s times where I just have to look at Taaffe, and he’d already know what I’m trying to say. I look at Jahdae and he knows exactly what I’m trying to tell him, without words. It’s just comes from being around each other so much, enjoying our time around each other and having each other’s back.”

As for praise, Mukuba asked the media to put the word out: Jahdae Barron should win the Jim Thorpe Award, a honor given to the nation’s best defensive back. He was named a semifinalist recently.

The depth on the defense remains a vital part of the success so far in 2024.

“We recruit very talented players, so we’ve got to play as many guys as we can,” said Moore. “It’s definitely big and important to have them be a factor in the game.”

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But for now, it’s about the defense putting these Longhorns in the best possible position to succeed. Even with some of the best offensive talent and coaching in the nation.

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