AUSTIN, Texas — — Texas believes it is a more durable, extra resilient crew that final season — and the Longhorns are exhibiting it up to now this fall.
The newest proof got here Saturday as No. 22 Texas, trailing struggling Iowa State within the fourth quarter, rallied to win 24-21.
Quinn Ewers threw for 3 touchdowns, together with the go-ahead, 3-yard move to Xavier Worthy with 4:43 remaining. Linebacker Jaylan Ford produced two turnovers, together with a fumble restoration with 2:28 to play.
Bijan Robinson rushed for 135 yards, his fifth straight recreation exceeding 100, in opposition to the Huge 12’s prime protection.
The Longhorns (5-2, 3-1 Huge 12) snapped a three-game dropping streak in opposition to Iowa State and handed the Cyclones (3-4, 0-4) their fourth straight defeat.
Texas went 5-7 a yr in the past, Steve Sarkisian’s first as coach. The Longhorns have labored to make would not occur this fall.
“That is fully completely different than final yr,” Robinson stated. “We might have misplaced the sport final yr, for my part.”
There have been indications that Texas may lose this one, too. Iowa State moved to the Texas 32 with two receptions by its spectacular receiver, Xavier Hutchinson. However Hutchinson additionally dropped a protracted one on the Texas 9,
“I got here up brief,” Hutchinson stated. “How I have a look at it, is that if I make that catch we most likely win the sport.”
The Cyclones have been nonetheless in place to drag off a shock win, however quarterback Hunter Dekkers fumbled on the 32. Anthony Prepare dinner compelled the fumble, Ford recovered, and the officers performed a video evaluation to find out if Dekkers’ knee was down or if there was focusing on by Texas.
Each evaluations wenty the Longhorns’ manner.
“Once I noticed the ball out, like, I gotta go get it,” Ford stated. “Shout out to Prepare dinner. He got here down with an enormous hit on the ball.”
Iowa State, whose offense has struggled to attain this season, had a possibility to go up 14-0 six minutes into the second quarter. However Dekkers’ move was intercepted ultimately zone by Ford.
The Longhorns then moved 80 yards to tie the sport on a 15-yard move from Ewers to Worthy. Lower than six minutes later, Ewers linked with Jordan Whittington for a 5-yard landing.
Texas added a subject purpose within the third quarter however couldn’t put Iowa State away. First, Dekkers discovered sophomore Jaylin Noel over the center for a 54-yard landing, his second of the sport. Dekkers, a sophomore first-year starter, accomplished 25 of 36 for a career-best 329 yards.
The Cyclones took their final lead, 21-17, on Dekkers’ 11-yard run up the center with 10:58 remaining.
“I’m so happy with him,” coach Matt Campbell stated. ”It is arduous to battle via the expansion course of when the ball is in your palms each play.”
Texas responded to Dekkers’ run by transferring 75 yards on 11 performs for the go-ahead rating. Ewers linked with Robinson for 13 yards on third and 6 alongside the way in which.
“We didn’t play superb,” Sarkisian stated. “However we performed arduous, and we performed powerful. Typically that’s the signal of a reasonably good crew when you cannot play your finest soccer, however discover a method to win.”
THE TAKEAWAY
Iowa State: The Cyclones, who rank 104th in scoring offense, did not get a on 18 straight possessions of their previous three video games. The streak stopped on their third collection in opposition to the Longhorns with a 5-yard move from Dekkers to Noel within the first quarter.
Texas: The Longhorns have been outgained within the passing recreation. Ewers threw for simply 172 after passing for 294 and 4 touchdowns in opposition to Oklahoma final week. Ewers misplaced what might have been a 58-yard landing within the third quarter when a large open Casey Cain dropped a move down subject. However Texas confirmed the resiliency to come back again and win.
EFFICIENCY IN CLUTCH
A purpose Iowa State had an opportunity to win was that it made 9 of 15 third-down performs, together with a 20-yard move from Dekkers to Hutchinson earlier than the Dekkers fumble. The Cyclones additionally transformed a fourth-down play, Dekkers to Hutchinson, on the drive.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Longhorns elevated from receiving no votes to a No. 22 rating after their 49-0 win over Oklahoma final week. There is a good probability they will not lose floor.
UP NEXT
Iowa State hosts Oklahoma on Oct. 29.
Texas performs at No. 8 Oklahoma State on Oct. 22
——
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
