What we learned about Texas after a win over Vanderbilt in Nashville

Texas’ hard-fought road victory over Vanderbilt showcased resilience and potential but also underscored areas that need improvement. This game demonstrated Texas’ ability to persevere through adversity and highlighted both strengths and weaknesses, providing a clear roadmap for what needs to be addressed during their bye week. Here’s an in-depth look at what we learned.

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Offense

• Dominance on the Perimeter: Texas’ speed and athleticism on the outside were major assets. When the offense found its rhythm, it looked dominant, especially on the perimeter, where it leveraged physical advantages to stretch Vanderbilt’s defense. This mismatch allowed Texas to exploit gaps effectively, and showcase the impact of their skill players.

• Inconsistency and Self-Inflicted Errors: Despite moments of control, Texas’ offense struggled with penalties and turnovers that disrupted their momentum. These mistakes often stalled drives and kept Texas from capitalizing on big plays. This inconsistency speaks to a need for better communication, discipline, and composure to sustain drives, especially against stronger opponents.

• Quinn Ewers’ bounce back Performance: After a challenging game against Georgia, Ewers rebounded. He demonstrated better poise in the pocket and showed mobility. While he still faced pressure, Ewers’ decisiveness was improved.

• Running Backs’ Versatility with Room for Growth: Texas’ running backs opened the game with hard runs and elusiveness, setting a tough, physical tone. Their ability to convert on third-and-long plays also highlighted their versatility and kept Vanderbilt’s defense guessing. However, they occasionally overran designed lanes and bounced runs outside unnecessarily, which contributed to some holding penalties. Improving their patience and field awareness to hit lanes effectively will be crucial as they refine their game.

• Breakout Performances from Receivers: Matthew Golden electrified the game with a one-handed touchdown grab, while DeAndre Moore had a breakout game, hauling in a slot fade for a TD and creating yards after catch with gritty, determined play. Moore’s ability to fight for extra yardage showed his value as a dependable, tough player who contributes consistently but also has the ability to deliver explosive plays.

• Inconsistent Offensive Line Play: The OL showed some strong moments but struggled overall due to penalties, with some questionable holding calls interrupting their rhythm. These penalties, combined with inconsistent blocking, held back what could have been a more dominant offensive performance. Addressing discipline on the line and building consistency will be essential for Texas to sustain their physical, balanced offense.

Defense

• Defensive Line’s Strong Response: After a rough first drive, Texas’ defensive line adjusted well, particularly in containing Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia on options and rollouts. Though Trey Moore didn’t record a sack, his disruptive presence was felt throughout the game, emphasizing his value as a defensive leader capable of limiting opponents’ options.

• Linebackers’ High-Intensity Play: The linebackers brought energy and aggression, flying across the field to make critical tackles and limit Vanderbilt’s offensive rhythm. Concerns about their gap management were unfounded as they defended the run effectively and showed solid awareness in passing lanes. Their performance solidified Texas’ defensive standard and highlighted the unit’s depth and speed.

• Secondary’s Physical and Tactical Presence: Texas’ secondary played tough, downhill football, stepping up to make big hits and challenge Vanderbilt’s passing game. Their ability to get hands on the ball, anticipate plays, and come up strong in coverage reinforced the physicality that Texas strives for in the backfield.

• Jelani McDonald’s Promising Debut: Making his first start, McDonald impressed with his physical tackles and field awareness, justifying the coaching staff’s high expectations for him. Veteran Michael Taaffe continued to lead by example, always in the right place at the right time, causing turnovers with forced fumbles and timely interceptions. Taaffe’s leadership and awareness were invaluable to the defense, keeping them disciplined and well-coordinated.

Special Teams

• An Unpredictable Outing: Texas’ special teams performance was a mixed bag. The return game remains exciting, but repeated holding penalties nullified significant returns and robbed Texas of field position. Silas Bolden’s fair catch decision, coupled with inconsistent punting, highlighted the need for improved situational awareness and consistency. Special teams will be a major focus during the bye week to prevent these errors from affecting close games down the stretch.

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Overall Takeaway

This road win was a testament to Texas’ mental toughness, as they overcame errors and rose to the challenge. The victory demonstrated growth and resilience, proving that Texas wouldn’t allow a previous loss to derail their focus. As they enter the bye week, the team has a valuable opportunity to regroup, address discipline issues, and tighten up special teams execution. With a focus on fundamentals, improved consistency, and healthier bodies, Texas is well-positioned to push for a strong finish as they approach the critical games on their postseason path.