Connect with us

Austin, TX

Texas Longhorns: 4 takeaways from critical 35-10 SEC loss to Georgia

Published

on

Texas Longhorns: 4 takeaways from critical 35-10 SEC loss to Georgia


Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Niblett (21) is tackled during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

In the end, it wasn’t a dramatic ending or a big play or even a big mistake that decided No. 10 Texas football’s 35-10 loss Saturday night to No. 5 Georgia. Simply put, the Bulldogs outplayed the Longhorns, had Texas’ offensive line playing on its heels, won all three phases of the game and Georgia coach Kirby Smart outcoached Steve Sarkisian.

Advertisement

Put all those together and you’ve got Georgia’s big win and Texas’ big loss — the Longhorns’ third loss takes them out of the SEC championship game conversation and virtually dooms their College Football Playoff hopes. Blame that Oct. 4 loss in Gainesville. The best Texas can do from here out is win out, play spoiler to Texas A&M, win on early National Signing Day next month and win its non-CFP bowl game.

Article continues below this ad

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) drops a pass during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) drops a pass during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Texas quarterback Arch Manning was sacked three times, but he was hit and hurried all night long. The Longhorns were just 2 of 12 on third-down conversions finished with only 274 yards of total offense, ran for only 23 yards and committed nine penalties to Georgia’s one. Texas cut the lead to 14-10 on a Ryan Wingo touchdown catch late in the third quarter, but two fourth-down conversions, one touchdown and one surprise onside kick later, Georgia got the win.

WHAT CED SAID: So far, the Texas Longhorns sure do have a Georgia Bulldogs puzzle in the SEC

MORE: Does Texas coach Steve Sarkisian have a big game problem? Let’s look at the numbers.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Here’s what we saw from Saturday’s loss:

Kirby Smart outsmarts Steve Sarkisian once again

It’s hard to argue against the facts: In three meetings between Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and Georgia’s Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs boss has coached circles around Sarkisian. To be fair to the fifth-year Texas coach, Smart has coached circles around almost everyone in his decade with Georgia, but it’s especially obvious in his matchups with Texas. Smart is a defensive-minded coach while Sarkisian’s coaching roots extend deep on the offensive side of the ball; in three meetings over the past two years, Texas has scored a total of 44 points. Oh, and Smart’s sassy onside kick Saturday in the fourth quarter was an added dash of spice that came after a touchdown drive fueled by two gutsy calls to go for it on fourth down.

Article continues below this ad

Advertisement

Georgia pummeled Texas through the air

The return of Michael Taaffe and Jelani McDonald from injury did not resolve Texas’ difficulties defending the pass. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton completed 24 of his 29 attempts for 229 yards and four touchdowns, becoming the third straight signal-caller to shred the Longhorns’ secondary. Mississippi State’s Blake Shapen threw for 382 yards and five TDs in Texas’ victory Oct. 25, then Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia blitzed Texas for 365 yards and three TDs a week later.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) snaps the ball during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) snaps the ball during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Non-existent running game did Arch Manning no favors

Yes, Texas quarterback Arch Manning got sacked three times for 16 yards. But take away those sacks and Texas still ran for only 36 yards on 11 carries. The Longhorns’ offense is completely reliant on Manning at this point of the season, and that imbalance shows in a matchup against an elite squad like Georgia. Manning played well with 251 yards on 27-of-43 passing, but he can’t carry the Texas offense — at least in his first season as a starter.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Texas fails on special teams against Georgia (again)

The Longhorns did not learn from the special teams mistakes they made the last time they met these Bulldogs. Kirby Smart’s team guzumped Texas on special teams once again Saturday night, attempting and recovering a surprise onside kick in the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead. The Bulldogs used their positive field position to score a touchdown that extended the lead to 18. Texas fans will remember last year’s SEC championship game when a fourth-quarter fake punt changed the dynamic of the contest, along with a pair of missed field goals by the Longhorns.

Up next for Texas: Arkansas

Next Saturday at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Kickoff will be either at 2:30 p.m., 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

At least the Longhorns won’t have to recover from Saturday’s disappointment by traveling to Fayetteville. It’s the first of two home games to close the regular season, with No. 3 Texas A&M on tap the day after Thanksgiving.



Source link

Austin, TX

Texas Pride events 2026: Parades, festivals and more happening this June

Published

on

Texas Pride events 2026: Parades, festivals and more happening this June


Pride Month is celebrated each June. 

It marks the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising that started in late June 1969. The protests are seen as a turning point in the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. It inspired marches across the country in the years that followed.

Advertisement

More than a dozen cities and towns across Texas are celebrating with everything from parades to festivals to concerts and more.

A Pride flag is seen held up in a crowd during preparation for a Queer March to the Texas State Capitol on April 15, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

A Pride flag is seen held up in a crowd during preparation for a Queer March to the Texas State Capitol on April 15, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell / Getty Images)

Here’s a look at some of the dates and places Pride events are happening around the Lone Star State this month:

Advertisement

Austin also has a Pride celebration, but it is scheduled for Aug. 22.

The Source: Information in this story came from various sources, including official websites for events. AI was used to help assemble the list of events.

Advertisement
TexasLGBTQPrideAustinHoustonRound RockBastropSan AntonioTaylor



Source link

Continue Reading

Austin, TX

UC Santa Barbara Baseball Drops 6-4 Nailbiter to Texas at Austin Regional Final

Published

on


Red-hot Rowan Kelly came to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning with a chance to extend the Gauchos season, but a thrilling comeback was not to be.

The UC Santa Barbara baseball team battled to the end, but fell to host Texas 6-4 in the Austin Regional final on Sunday afternoon.

“I think our guys gave a really good effort,” Checketts said. “Kellan’s start was outstanding, set the tone for us, gave us a shot. We came up short against a very good baseball team.” 

UC Santa Barbara (40-20) held the lead through six innings behind a strong start from pitcher Kellan Montgomery and continued offensive production from Kelly. However, Texas (43-13), the tournament’s No. 6 national seed, scored four runs over the final three innings to secure the victory and advance.

Advertisement

Montgomery, a Santa Barbara native, delivered one of his strongest outings of the season. The right-hander retired the Longhorns in order in the first inning and held Texas scoreless through five innings while allowing only a handful of baserunners. Kelly provided early offense with a solo home run in the first inning, his second home run of the day after homering earlier against Tarleton State.

“I think just trusting myself and the guys behind me. The last couple outings haven’t really been what I wanted, so just not making it anything bigger than it is,” Montgomery said. “This is my first time in playoff baseball, so I’m just trying to enjoy every moment with a really special group. It was just trusting myself and the seven guys behind me.” 

Texas broke through in the sixth inning, loading the bases before a sacrifice fly by Adrian Rodriguez and a two-out single by Ethan Mendoza drove in two runs and gave the Longhorns their first lead of the game at 2-1. Relief pitcher Van Froling entered and recorded the final out of the inning.

The Gauchos responded immediately in the bottom half. Consecutive walks by Liam Barrett and Kelly set the stage for a sacrifice bunt attempt by William Vasseur that resulted in multiple Texas throwing errors. Barrett scored on the initial errant throw, while Kelly later crossed the plate after another misplay, giving UC Santa Barbara a 3-2 advantage.

Texas regained control in the seventh inning. After a runner’s lane interference call erased a potential scoring play, Aiden Robbins hit a two-run home run four pitches later to move the Longhorns back in front. Texas added two more runs in the eighth, including one on an RBI double and another following a failed pickoff attempt, extending its lead to 6-3.

Advertisement

UC Santa Barbara narrowed the deficit in the bottom of the eighth. Kelly doubled off the top of the left-field wall and later scored as the Gauchos cut the lead to two runs. The inning ended with the potential go-ahead run still at the plate.

The Gauchos mounted one final threat in the ninth. Xavier Esquer and Cole Kosciusko opened the inning with singles, and a hit batter loaded the bases with two outs. Kelly came to the plate with the tying run in scoring position, prompting Texas to make a pitching change.But Longhorn starting pitcher Luke Harrison made a rare relief appearance to record the final out and preserve the victory.



Source link

Continue Reading

Austin, TX

Austin Pets Alive! gets $10K donation, pet beds

Published

on

Austin Pets Alive! gets K donation, pet beds


AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) received a $10,000 donation and 30 pet beds on Thursday.

The donation was from Robert Thiele, an Amazon delivery driver and owner of Clark Courier Services, which was named in honor of his late bulldog, Clark, who passed away this spring after a battle with cancer.

“I named Clark Courier Services after Clark because just like our drivers, he delivered smiles every single day. In a world full of best friends, Clark was the bestest,” said Thiele.

According to Amazon, the donated pet beds were given a second life through Amazon Re:Turn, which repurposes textiles from customer returns that could not be resold or donated.

Advertisement

As a surprise for Thiele, APA! unveiled memorial plaques dedicated to Clark on shelter kennels, which were inscribed with his name and the words “forever delivering.”

“Our Delivery Service Partners are local, small business owners embedded in the communities they serve. Robert’s been delivering in Austin for nearly seven years, and he’s not just moving packages. He’s showing up for the people, the pets, and the neighborhoods around him. That’s what this program is about,” said Emma Crowley, Amazon spokesperson. “Today, we got to give a little back to someone who has and will continue to give so much to others.”



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending