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.
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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.”
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“I gave this university everything I had, every day, for 365 days a year.”
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.
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