Trey Luerssen
August 31, 2024 8:37 pm CT
There’s not going to be many low grades when the Longhorns win 52-0. There are definitely some teachable moments Week 1 that Texas coach Steve Sarkisian can use as the team heads into Michigan week.
But for the most part, it was a complete, dominant victory over Colorado State in all phases of the game. The defense pitched a shutout, the offense looked electrifying at times and the special teams was near perfect. Check out our Week 1 Report Card.
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WATCH: Best Texas Longhorns plays via Twitter Video
Quarterbacks: A
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers – Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
The group would have probably received an “A+” if Quinn Ewers hadn’t thrown an interception. Ewers might have been trying to do too much on that play, but otherwise he was worthy of his star status.
Quinn Ewers no-look TD 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/RekvatVTYU
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) August 31, 2024
The Heisman candidate had a huge game, completing 20 passes on 27 attempts for 260 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT. And he didn’t even play in the fourth quarter.
Arch Manning got into the game with 4:04 left in the 3rd quarter and looked great as well, going 5 of 6 for 95 yards 1 passing TD and 1 rushing TD.
ARCH MANNING WITH THE CREATIVITY 🤯@TexasFootball x 📺 @espn pic.twitter.com/1ZIthExRre
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) August 31, 2024
Running Backs: B+
Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue (23) carries the ball forward as the Texas Longhorns take on Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium – Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Longhorns were always going to ‘running back by committee.’ But with season-ending injuries to CJ Baxter and Christian Clark, it really is all hands on deck. The Longhorns used seven rushers (not counting Ewers and Manning). The group rushed for 190 yards.
Jerrick Gibson and Jaydon Blue both looked good. Each averaged 5+ yards a carry and each had a big play. Quintrevion Wisner looked to have good twitch and had a TD.
Wide Receivers: A
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Matthew Golden (2), Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm (85) and Texas Longhorns wide receiver Isaiah Bond (7) celebrate Golden’s touchdown as the Texas Longhorns take on Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin – Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Texas QBs really spread the ball around. 11 different Longhorns had a catch. Transfers Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden, Johntay Cook II and freshman Ryan Wingo all had solid days. Bond had a TD and Golden had 2 TDs. Gunnar Helm had a promising performance at TE.
3 ➡️ 007 pic.twitter.com/ba07liKsVM
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) August 31, 2024
I was surprised we didn’t see more of Silas Bolden, who only had one catch. Of course that one catch might be the most famous play of this game, since it was Arch Manning’s first career TD pass.
Offensive Line: A
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) snaps the ball during the game against Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin – Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
The offensive line was predictably solid. Ewers got sacked early on and there was a penalty. But that’s nitpicking. Texas rolled up 545 yards of total offense. The line certainly did its job.
Defensive Front: A
Longhorns defensive players celebrates after a play as the Texas Longhorns take on Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin – Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
Can you ask much more from a defense than to pitch a shutout? Colorado State’s offense couldn’t get going. And while that may have been ineptitude by the Rams, the Longhorns front was stifling. Surprisingly, there wasn’t a recorded sack. But CSU QBs were held to 74 yards passing.
If there was one warning sign, it was the Rams had 118 yards rushing. Justin Marshall had 106 yards on 25 carries. It will be interesting to see this group against Michigan next week.
Secondary: A+
Texas Longhorns defensive back Jahdae Barron (7) celebrates after catching an interception as the Texas Longhorns take on Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin – Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
Again, the Rams only passed for 74 yards. Jahdae Barron and Wardell Mack each had an interception. There was some concern last week about Rams WR Troy Horton having a big game. Sark even mentioned it in his press conference. But Horton only managed five catches for 31 yards.
Special Teams: A+
Texas Longhorns place kicker Bert Auburn (45) kicks a field goal as the Texas Longhorns take on Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.
The special teams had a near perfect performance. Colorado State had zero yards on kick returns, zero yards on punt returns and zero field goals. Their punter got a good workout though. Bert Auburn made the one FG he was asked to kick, a 45-yarder. Silas Bolden had 4 punt returns, with a long of 35 yards. Matthew Golden ran 26 yards on his one and only kick return. What else could you ask for?
