Texas
What Texas players said following UT's 37-31 loss to Washington in the College Football Playoff semifinals
NEW ORLEANS — The No. 3 Texas Longhorns came into the Allstate Sugar Bowl having played some of its best football over the last few contests. Unfortunately Michael Penix Jr., the 2023 Heisman Trophy runner-up, played even better. His historic night in the College Football Playoff semifinals helped hold off the Longhorns and lead No. 2 Washington to the 2024 CFB Playoff National Championship next week with a 37-31 win.
[Join Inside Texas and get ONE MONTH of Longhorn intel for just $1!]
Down 13 late in the fourth quarter, Texas (12-2) overcame double-digit penalties, two red zone turnovers, and giving up explosive plays on defense, yet had a final play to tie the game with one second remaining. UT signal-caller Quinn Ewers’ pass to All-Big 12 receiver Adonai Mitchell fell incomplete in the end zone on the game’s last play and the Horns’ season ends in the Superdome on Monday night.
Here’s what the players said following the game.
ON HIS THOUGHT PROCESS DURING THE COMEBACK:
“Going down 13, I think the biggest thing we were talking about is one play at a time. You can’t get all 13 points back in one single play. The small wins turn into big wins. Just trying to get back on track, and I think we did a good job on that.”
ON QUICK REFLECTIONS FROM 2023:
“It’s tough, especially losing a close game like this. Even though you take a step back and you look back at the entire season, I’m proud of the way we attacked each week. For us to have the opportunity to even play here, I know the whole team is beyond grateful for this opportunity we had today.”
ON WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH HIS HEAD DURING THE FINAL PLAY OF THE GAME:
“Make a play. Make a play. Make a play.”
ON WHAT HE SAID TO HIS TEAMMATES IN HIS FINAL GAME AT TEXAS:
“I just told them I was proud of them. Like coach was saying, this whole year we sacrificed a lot in order to build this team the way we wanted it. We went all the way up until the last play. I’m proud of my guys for never giving up.”
ON WHAT THIS SEASON MEANS AND FOR THE FUTURE:
“I was just grateful for playing for a team like this. I definitely believe in the young guys, they work hard.”
ON WHAT HE’LL REMEMBER THE MOST ON THE FORTY ACRES:
“The brotherhood. it’s something I’ll remember forever.”
[Subscribe to the brand new Inside Texas YouTube channel!]
“I gave this university everything I had, every day, for 365 days a year.”
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Wednesday he has secured a settlement of bankruptcy claims against genetic testing company 23andMe stemming from a 2023 data breach that exposed personal information, including some genetic ancestry data, of 6.9 million customers worldwide.
Paxton’s office said the settlement includes $150 million for a multistate coalition of 42 states. But because of limited funds in 23andMe’s bankruptcy estate and competing claims, the states’ recovery will be $18 million paid immediately, with Texas receiving $1,266,860.
23andMe disclosed in October 2023 that attackers had accessed accounts affecting 6.9 million consumers. Some of the information was later posted for sale on the dark web, according to Paxton’s office, which said the company learned of the breach months after the data became publicly available. The office said 23andMe initially denied a breach and later blamed consumers’ account settings and password practices.
Paxton joined a multistate investigation that concluded 23andMe used unreasonable security practices and failed to implement adequate safeguards against hacking, the office said.
23andMe filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2025. Paxton’s office said the settlement incorporates privacy and cybersecurity requirements, including enhanced security standards, comprehensive risk assessments and creation of an independent advisory board, along with enforcement of state privacy laws and continued consumer data deletion rights.
“Companies that collect and profit from Texans’ most personal information have a legal duty to protect it,” Paxton said in a statement.
The company also agreed to a $46.75 million class-action settlement in the bankruptcy case for affected U.S. consumers who submitted claims by Feb. 17, 2026, Paxton’s office said.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
The Texas Longhorns entered the 2025 season with more expectations than any team has had to deal with in recent memory.
Many among the media were ready to crown the team and quarterback Arch Manning before they even played one game. Of course, those unrealistic expectations were never met, even though the team finished with a 10-3 record and a Citrus Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines.
2026 is heading in the same direction for the Longhorns. Many believe head coach Steve Sarkisian has the most talented team in the country. But in order to fix the issues from this past season, the Longhorns needed to fix one issue that has cost them in the past.
Changing The Narrative
One of the biggest issues the Longhorns had last season was the play of the offensive line. It was apparent in the first game of the season against the Ohio State Buckeyes that Manning didn’t have the pocket time needed to make big plays.
This offseason, Coach Sarkisian went out and found two massive transfer portal additions that should completely change the narrative on this offensive line.
It starts with potential starting right tackle Melvin Siani. Siani has spent time with the Temple Owls and last season with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
The Longhorns are set at left tackle with Trevor Goosby, who could play himself into being a top 10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. If the team can get competent play from Siani, the offense will be able to open up the playbook, and the world may finally see Manning at his college peak.
The Longhorns also went out and found a potential fix at left guard for the 2026 season. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers transfer Laurence Seymore could be another strong patch for the holes in the offensive line.
After spending the first two seasons of his college career with the Miami Hurricanes, Seymore made stops with the Akron Zips and the Hilltoppers.
Of course, the one concern with Seymore is wondering if he can compete at the SEC level coming from the C-USA.
This season for the Longhorns starts and stops with the play of Manning. Coach Sarkisian and the rest of this coaching staff understood that protecting their quarterback was the most important goal when building the 2026 roster.
The Longhorns are going to be leaning on veteran talent to protect their quarterback, and it may very well be the best decision they made this offseason.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
-
Oklahoma23 seconds agoJ.D. PicKell: ‘Oklahoma is going to be a wagon once again’
-
Oregon6 minutes agoOregon Ducks’ Big Ten Championship Chances Entering Fall Camp
-
Pennsylvania12 minutes agoLawmakers break without addressing unconstitutional murder sentences, leave 1K Pa. lifers in limbo
-
Rhode Island18 minutes agoProvidence mayor, City Council dispute over RENT fund program
-
South-Carolina24 minutes agoCould SC’s election rules shape who decides to run for Graham’s US Senate seat?
-
South Dakota30 minutes agoAARP commits $125,800 to strengthen community projects in Mobridge, Gregory, seven other South Dakota towns
-
Tennessee36 minutes agoFormer Tennessee teacher who allegedly showed nude photo to student indicted by grand jury
-
Texas42 minutes agoTexas AG secures 23andMe bankruptcy settlement after 2023 data breach
