OKLAHOMA NOTES:
In a matchup of the Big 12’s only ranked teams in the AP and AFCA Coaches polls, No. 12/12 Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0) plays No. 3/4 Texas (5-0, 2-0) for the 95th straight year in Dallas when the teams meet on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT at the Cotton Bowl. The Allstate Red River Rivalry will be televised by ABC with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe announcing. OU is the designated visiting team. Saturday’s game will mark the 119th meeting between Oklahoma and Texas, with the first matchup occurring Oct. 10, 1900, in Austin. Since 1929, the Sooners and Longhorns have played annually at Fair Park in Dallas. The game has been played inside the Cotton Bowl every year since 1937. Texas and Oklahoma rank fifth and sixth, respectively, in all-time wins. OU is 939-338-53 (.726) while UT is 941-390-33 (.702). The Sooners have played 1,329 games and the Longhorns have played 1,364. UT has played two more seasons than OU. This marks the first season since 2011 (both teams were 4-0) in which Oklahoma and Texas are undefeated at the time of their October meeting. That season, No. 3 OU downed No. 11 UT 55-17. OU has won six of its last seven games against Texas and 12 of its last 16 when both teams are ranked in the AP poll. The Sooners are 23-16 in the series under the circumstance. Texas’ No. 3 AP ranking is its highest when playing Oklahoma since 2009 (UT edged No. 20 OU 16-13). OU has posted a 10-8 (.556) regular season record against AP top-5 teams since the start of the 2000 season. Only Stanford (.600; 9-6) owns a better winning percentage during the period. The last time OU held each of its first five opponents to 20 points or fewer was in the 2000 season (the Sooners won the national title). u The 2023 season marks OU’s and Texas’ last as members of the Big 12. The Sooners and Longhorns move to the Southeastern Conference on July 1, 2024. Oklahoma has won 14 Big 12 championships in the league’s first 27 years. Texas, Baylor and Kansas State are tied for second with three each. The Sooners are a league-best 171-58 (.747) in regular season Big 12 play since the conference began in 1996. The current Big 12 program with the next best winning percentage is Texas (151-78; .659). OU went 5-0 in September for the second time in program history (also in 2018). u Oklahoma’s 19.2 improvement from last season in opponent points per game (30.0 to 10.8) is best in the country (UCLA is second; 18.0). The Sooners’ 54 points allowed are their fewest over the first five games of a season since 2009 (gave up 42). OU ranks in the top five nationally in both scoring offense (No. 3 at 47.4 ppg) and scoring defense (No. 4 at 10.8 ppg). Its +36.6 average scoring margin ranks second in the country (Oregon is at +39.8). The only time the Sooners trailed this season was for a 7:05 stretch in the first quarter at Cincinnati (3-0). They have led for 276:24 out of 300 minutes on the year. The 2023 season marks the 129th in OU football history. The Sooners lead the country with their 50 all-time conference championships, 27 11-plus-win seasons, 33 AP top-five finishes, seven Heisman Trophy winners (tied) and five No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks (tied). They rank second with their 430 all-time weeks ranked in the top five of the AP poll, third with seven AP national championships and their 101 weeks as the AP’s No. 1 team, and fourth with their 56 bowl appearances and 414 NFL Draft picks.
KEY STORYLINES: Texas is the only Big 12 program with a winning record against the Sooners. Oklahoma trails 63-50-5 in the series but owns a 29- 21-3 advantage since 1970. In the Big 12 era, OU is 17-11 against the Longhorns and has won 10 of the last 14 meetings (16 of the last 24). Oklahoma has allowed a total of 14 points (one touchdown) after halftime this season (eight by SMU and three each by Tulsa and Cincinnati) and just 612 total yards for an average of 122.4 yards per second half. OU has limited two opponents (Tulsa [92] and Iowa State [82]) to fewer than 100 total yards in the second half. The Sooners have allowed just six points in the third quarter. OU redshirt senior quarterback Dillon Gabriel is off to a pristine start this season, ranking in the top 10 nationally in several categories. The Mililani, Hawaii, product ranks fourth in the country in passing touchdowns (15) and points responsible for per game (22.8), fifth in pass completion percentage (.752; for perspective the OU single-season record is .709 by Baker Mayfield in 2016), sixth in passing efficiency rating (189.4), seventh in total offense (337.6 ypg) and eighth in passing offense (318.6 ypg). Gabriel sat out the entire second half vs. Arkansas State and the fourth quarter at Tulsa. The Sooners are tied for the national lead with their 10 interceptions. That’s their most through the first five games of a season since 2001. Texas is tied for fifth nationally by throwing just one interception. OU is one of two teams in the country that hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown (Iowa is the other). Texas is tied for third in the Big 12 with 11 rushing TDs and is averaging 191.8 rushing yards per contest. After ranking 49th nationally last year in third-down conversion percentage (.405) and 87th in third-down conversion percentage defense (.409), OU is off to a stellar start in both categories in 2023. The Sooners have converted 37 of their 67 third downs through four games, good for the nation’s sixth-best percentage (.552) out of 130 teams. And OU has allowed foes to convert just 21 of their 76 combined third-down tries. The .276 opponent conversion figure has the Sooners ranked 10th in the country. Oklahoma added nine defensive scholarship transfers in the offseason and has made a huge jump on that side of the ball through five games. After ranking 98th in scoring defense (30.0 ppg) and 121st in total defense (461.0 ypg) last year, the Sooners rank second (10.8 ppg) and 30th (318.0 ypg), respectively, this season. OU is tied for first nationally with its 10 interceptions and ranks seventh in pass efficiency defense rating (102.7), No. 8 in tackles for loss per game (8.4) and No. 20 in yards per play allowed (4.6). u The Sooners have allowed just 11 scores (five touchdowns and five field goals for 54 total points) on 61 possessions through five contests. They didn’t permit a touchdown until the fourth quarter by SMU in the second game. OU has allowed a touchdown in just four of 20 quarters. OU ranks fifth nationally with its +1.6 turnover margin per game. The Sooners have registered 12 takeaways to rank third in the country and have committed just four turnovers. They also blocked a punt against SMU that led to a touchdown and one vs. Iowa State that resulted in a safety. OU’s two blocked punts are tied for the national lead.
TEXAS NOTES:
Texas (5-0, 2-0) vs. Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0)
October 7, 2023
Where: Dallas, Texas
Stadium: Cotton Bowl Stadium
Time: 11:00 p.m. CT
TV: ABC (Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Holly Rowe)
Radio: Longhorn Radio Network (Craig Way, Roger Wallace, Will Matthews)
Spanish Radio: Longhorn Radio Network (Dr. Rubén Pizarro-Silva, Arturo Mata, Jesus Mendoza, Daniel Trejo)
THE OPENING KICKOFF
• The University of Texas continues its 131st season of football on Saturday when the Longhorns meet Oklahoma for the 119th time on Saturday in a matchup of the Big 12’s most successful programs. The Allstate Red River Rivalry, played in Dallas for the 95th consecutive year, will kick off it the Cotton Bowl at 11 a.m. CT on ABC.
• Texas is ranked in the top four of both the AP (No. 3) and Coaches (No. 4) polls for the first time since the final poll of the 2009 season.
• Last week, Texas (5-0, 2-0) defeated the Kansas Jayhawks, 40-14, in the Big 12 Conference home opener in Austin.
• The Longhorns are 5-0 on the year, the first time UT has been unbeaten through five games since 2009.
• Oklahoma enters the weekend with a 5-0 overall record and 2-0 Big 12 mark after defeating Iowa State at home, 50-20.
• Texas and Oklahoma will meet as undefeated opponents for the first time since 2011.
• Texas currently boasts 941 all-time wins, the fifth-most in college football history. UT holds an all-time record of 941-390-33 (.702).
Series History vs. Oklahoma
• There is no rivalry quite like the Texas-Oklahoma series, which is being played for the 119th time on Saturday. Texas is one of two Big 12 programs with a winning record against Oklahoma and leads the series, 63-50-5.
• The series, which began in 1900, has been played in Dallas since 1912 and at the State Fair since 1929. Saturday marks the 101st time the game will be played at a neutral site in Dallas.
• The first matchup between the two teams in 1900 ended with a 28-2 Longhorns’ victory.
• Heading into Saturday’s game, only Texas A&M (118 times) has played the Longhorns on as many occasions.
• Since 1900, the only years Texas and Oklahoma have not played were 1918, 1920-21 and 1924-28.
• Texas and Oklahoma will meet as AP-ranked opponents for the first time since 2021 with the Longhorns ranked higher than the Sooners for the first time since 2009.
• The Longhorns enter a game against Oklahoma as an unbeaten team for the 52nd time, including two season-opening games against the Sooners (1900, 1902).
• UT has a 34-16-1 record against OU when entering the game unbeaten, including wins in three of the last four games.
• Texas will be 5-0 when facing Oklahoma for the third time in series history (2008-09) — Texas was 6-0-1 entering the 1923 contest.
• The Longhorns and Sooners will be unbeaten heading into the game for the 31st time in series history with the Longhorns holding a 15-14-1 advantage.
• The game marked the season opener for Texas in 1900 and 1902 and for the Sooners in 1900 and 1901.
A Texas Win Would …
• Be Texas’ 942nd victory all-time, the fifth-winningest program in college football history.
• Give Steve Sarkisian his 65th victory as a head coach and 19th at Texas in his 112th career game as a head coach.
• Improve Texas to 6-0 for the first time since 2009.
• Mark the first 6-0 start for a Steve Sarkisian led team.
• Be the Longhorns’ 151st victory in Big 12 Conference play and improve their all-time conference record to 151-79.
Third Season of Sarkisian Era
• Texas Football Head Coach Steve Sarkisian is in his third season at the helm of the Longhorns and his 10th season as a head coach overall.
• Last season, the Texas offense ranked 24th in the nation and third in the Big 12 Conference with 34.5 points per game, the fourth-straight top-25 scoring output for a Sarkisian-led offense.
• The offensive showing also marked the eighth top-25 scoring offense in Sarkisian’s career.
• Marked the seventh time a Sarkisian offense averaged at least 34 points per game.
• Bijan Robinson rushed for 1,580 yards in 2022, marking the 11th consecutive year a Sarkisian offense (as head coach or offensive coordinator) has had a 1,000-yard rusher.
Tracking the Red River Rivalry
• The higher-ranked team in the AP Top 25 has won 19 of the last 30 matchups (19-10-1) when at least one of the programs are ranked in the AP Top 25. Texas is responsible for eight of the 10 victories when the lower ranked team pulls off the Red River upset.
• Texas has won the turnover battle in eight of the last nine meetings with OU, with the two teams tying at one turnover apiece in the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game. The team that wins the turnover battle between Texas and OU is 14-7 since 2000.
• Prior to last year’s meeting, the previous nine meetings between the Longhorns and Sooners had been decided by eight points or less after 15-straight years in which the annual matchup was decided by at least two scores (1999-2013). Texas leads the all-time series, 29-21-5, when the rivalry game is decided by one possession (eight points or less).
• The Longhorns have scored at least 20 points against Oklahoma 29 times since 1980, posting a 15-13-1 record in those instances. Texas is 9-3 during that stretch when scoring 30-plus points, and 4-3 when scoring at least 40 points against the Sooners. Conversely, UT is 17-9-2 when holding Oklahoma to under 30 points or less since 1980, and 13-3-1 when limiting the Sooners to no more than 20 points.
• The Longhorns are 6-4 since 2000 when averaging at least four yards per carry on offense vs. Oklahoma. UT is 4-0 when rushing for at least 200 yards and 0-7 when rushing for less than 100 yards against OU during that stretch.
Red River Rivalry Traditions
• The Cotton Bowl: After the series ended following a game in Austin in 1923, the tradition of the two schools playing at the State Fair of Texas began in 1929 in an old wooden structure called Fair Park Stadium. The new structure, also called Fair Park Stadium, but renamed the Cotton Bowl in 1936, was built in time for the 1930 matchup. The first Texas-OU game played at “The Cotton Bowl” was in 1937. This year’s Red River Showdown will be held in the Cotton Bowl for the 86th consecutive year.
• The Battle Line: One of the unique characteristics of the great rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma is the colors. Tickets are divided equally and the stadium is split in half (burnt orange and crimson) at the 50-yard line. As the home team in 2023, the Longhorns will wear their orange uniforms and occupy the west bench area (the press box side).
• The Governor’s Cup: The Governor’s Cup is exchanged annually by the Governor of Texas (Greg Abbott) and the Governor of Oklahoma (Kevin Stitt) following the Allstate Red River Rivalry. The tradition began when Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe donated the trophy, and each year it is transported from the office of the previous year’s winning governor to Dallas. Following the game, the trophy will once again be engraved with the winner after the game and housed in the office of the winning governor for the year.
• The Golden Hat: To the victor goes the Golden Hat, a rotating trophy given annually to the winner of the Texas-Oklahoma game. A gold cowboy hat that is mounted on a large block of wood, it has been part of the rivalry since the State Fair of Texas donated it in 1941. When the hat first arrived, it was known as the “Bronze Hat” and was actually made out of bronze. The hat was reworked in the 1970s and came out gold, hence the name change to the “Golden Hat.”
Texas Fight Rally and Parade
• A tradition since 1916, the Texas Fight Rally & Parade is a popular student event held every year before the Texas vs. OU game and is run by the Texas Exes.
• Each year, Longhorn students gather at the Main Mall in front of the Tower where the crowd of students, faculty, alumni and fans hear from the Longhorn football coaches and players.
• The event features performances by UT Cheer & Pom and the Longhorn Band, as well as photo opportunities with Smokey the Cannon and Hook ‘Em.
• This year’s parade will be held on Wednesday, October 4 and begins at 7:30 p.m. on Guadalupe between 25th Street and 21st Streets with the rally taking place at the Tower at 8 p.m.
Red River Rankings
• Saturday’s matchup will pit the No. 21/23 Longhorns against the 6/5 Sooners. It marks the 24th time in 25 years in which at least one of the teams has been ranked for the Red River Rivalry and the 16th time in that span in which both teams will be ranked heading into the game.
• Texas and Oklahoma will both be ranked in the AP Top 12 heading into the game for the 25th time in series history and the first time since 2019.
• Before the 2018 AT&T Red River Showdown, when Texas was ranked No. 19/20 and Oklahoma No. 7/5, the two teams had not met as ranked foes since 2012.
• Since 2000, the two teams have met as ranked foes 16 times. Oklahoma owns an advantage in such matchups, having won 12-of-16 contests against Texas.
• Before the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game, when No. 9/9 Texas met No. 5/5 Oklahoma, the last time the two teams were both ranked inside the Top 10 for a meeting was in 2008, when No. 5/5 Texas defeated No. 1/1 Oklahoma, 45-35.
Texas Football x ESPN’S College GameDay
• For the fifth time in the last three seasons, Texas will be appearing on ESPN’s College GameDay as the pregame show airs from Dallas, Texas this Saturday.
• The show will air live from the Cotton Bowl for three hours from 8-11 a.m. CT previewing Texas’ showdown with Oklahoma and Red River Rivalry (11:00 a.m. CT/ABC).
• Including seven previous visits to the Red River Rivalry, nine trips to Austin and four road site appearances, it will mark the 22nd time the GameDay set and its show will be a prominent fixture at a Texas game. The last time was prior to the Longhorns’ Week 2 victory over Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
• Texas is 11-10 all-time when the Horns are one of the teams in College GameDay’s featured matchup, highlighted by a 5-4 mark when the show comes to the Forty Acres.
Big Man Touchdowns
• Junior DL Byron Murphy II caught a 1-yard touchdown pass to cap the Longhorns’ first touchdown drive against Wyoming, the first reception and touchdown of his career.
• Murphy became the fourth Longhorn lineman to score a touchdown on offense.
Longhorn Lineman Offensive Touchdowns
Byron Murphy II, DT, vs. Wyoming, 2023
1-yard TD reception from Quinn Ewers
Sam Cosmi, OT at West Virginia, 2019
12-yard lateral from Sam Ehlinger
First-ever Longhorn offensive lineman rushing touchdown
Luke Poehlmann, OT, at Baylor, 2011
Tackle-Eligible
3-yard TD reception from Case McCoy
First-ever Longhorn offensive lineman touchdown reception
Derek Lokey, DT, vs. Arizona State (Holiday Bowl), 2007
2-yard TD reception from Colt McCoy
First-ever Longhorn defensive lineman with an offensive touchdown
Offensive Explosion
• Texas exploded for 661 yards of offense against Kansas in the Big 12 Conference home opener.
• The 661 yards were the sixth-most in program history and the most since totaling 689 yards against UTEP in 2020.
• UT’s 661 yards were the most in a Big 12 game in program history, topping the previous mark of 658 in 2016 against Texas Tech.
• Texas rushed for 336 yards and threw for 325 yards in the victory over Kansas. It marked the seventh time in program history the Longhorns rushed and passed for over 300 yards in the same game and the first time since 2021 against Texas Tech.
Air and Ground Assault
• Texas’ offensive effort against Kansas was highlighted by the second-ever game with a 300-yard passer, 200-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver in program history.
• In the victory over Kansas, Quinn Ewers passed threw for 325 yards, Jonathon Brooks rushed for 217 yards and Adonai Mitchell tallied 141 receiving yards.
• The only other 300-200-100 game in Texas history came in 1999 when Major Applewhite threw for 328, Hodges Mitchell rushed for 204 and Montrell Flowers recorded 111 yards receiving in a 38 28 win over Oklahoma.
• In addition to the efforts of Ewers, Brooks and Mitchell, Xavier Worthy posted 93 receiving yards and CJ Baxter collected 67 rushing yards.
Red Zone Stops
• Longhorn opponents have made 10 trips to the red zone this season with Texas allowing only five scores (four FGs; one TD).
• Texas is one of only two programs (Michigan) to yield only one red zone touchdown this season.
• In the Big 12 opener at Baylor, the Bears made six trips into the red zone resulting in two field goals and one turnover on an interception, while twice turning the ball over on downs and a Texas stop at the UT 4-yard line to end the game.
Fourth Quarter Focus
• Texas scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, matching the most ever scored in the final frame against a Nick Saban-led Alabama team.
• After taking a 34-24 lead with 8:18 remaining, the Longhorns forced an Alabama 3-and-out then ran 12 plays over the final 7:14 of the game.
• Texas’ victory ended a 73-game home win streak for Alabama when leading in the fourth quarter.
Controlling the Final Frame
• Texas took control of the fourth quarter against Alabama and Wyoming during the second and third weeks of the season.
• During that span, Texas outscored Alabama and Wyoming 42-8 and outgained them 317 yards to 133, while converting 4-of-7 third-down opportunities to 1-of-5.
• On the year, Texas has outscored opponents 56-15 in the fourth quarter.
X-Factor
• Junior WR Xavier Worthy is one of the premier wide receivers in the Big 12 and the nation.
• For his career, Worthy has hauled in 148 receptions for 2,086 yards and 24 touchdowns.
• Against Kansas, Worthy had seven receptions for 93 yards and became the 11th Longhorn to reach 2,000 career receiving yards.
• At Baylor, he caught 3 passes for 31 yards and one touchdown while also returning three punts for 48 yards, including a career-long 40 yard return.
• He followed his 40-yard punt return with a career-long 35-yard pass completion to Ja’Tavion Sanders, the second pass and completion of his career.
• Worthy’s 12.3 career punt return average ranks fourth among active FBS players (Dee Williams, 18.0; Phillip Brooks, K-State 14,2; Kool-Aid McKinstrey, Alabama – 13.3).
• His fourth-quarter touchdown reception against Wyoming sparked the Longhorns offense after catching the ball on the Texas 46-yard line, breaking a tackle at the 40 and racing down the right sideline to score the first of Texas’ three unanswered touchdowns.
• The 44-yard touchdown reception was his sixth career TD catch of 40 or more yards.
• Against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Worthy had five receptions for 75 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter.
• The 44-yard score was the ninth career reception of at least 40 yards and the fifth touchdown of 40-plus yards.
• His 24 receiving touchdowns are tied for second-most among active FBS receivers and are the most among players who have spent their entire career with a Power 5 program.
• He ranks third in UT history in touchdown receptions and is just one of four Longhorns to haul in at least 20 touchdown catches.
Quinn in Command
• Sophomore Quinn Ewers has led Texas to 11 wins in 15 starts during his first two seasons on the Forty Acres.
• Ewers connected on 25-of-35 passes for 325 yards and one touchdown in the Horns victory over Kansas, while also rushing seven times for 40 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 30-yard run.
• It marked the fourth 300-yard passing game of his career.
• He also rushed for a touchdown in his third consecutive games, the first Texas QB to accomplish the feat since Sam Ehlinger in 2018 (Tulsa, USC, TCU).
• Tallied his third-straight game with a passing and rushing touchdown and the fourth of his career.
• Ranks 13th all-time in UT history with 3,535 passing yards, moving ahead of Garrett Gilbert in UT’s all-time rankings.
• Marked the sixth game in which he accounted for at least three touchdowns.
• Had his streak of consecutive passes without an interception end at 245, the second-longest streak in program history (Sam Ehlinger, 308).
• In the Horns win at Baylor, he completed 18-of-23 passes for 293 yards and one touchdown and added five carries for 16 yards and another score.
• Surpassed 3,000 career passing yards, the 16th Longhorn to accomplish the feat.
• He had a standout performance in week two at Alabama, earning Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, Maxwell Player of the Week, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and Davey O’Brien Quarterback of the Week honors after completing 24-of-38 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns to guide the then-11th-ranked Longhorns to a 34-24 victory over then-No. 3 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
• In the fourth quarter against the Crimson Tide, Ewers connected on 6-of-7 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
Sanders is a Sensation
• Junior TE Ja’Tavion Sanders had a dominating performance at Baylor, catching five passes for 110 yards.
• He became the first Longhorn tight end in program to have two 100-yard receiving games in his career.
• For his career, Sanders ranks seventh all-time among Longhorn tight ends in touchdowns (6), sixth in receptions (67) and eighth in receiving yards (891).
• The Denton, Texas native has 278 receiving yards this season with 174 yards (62.6%) coming after the catch.
• Has caught at least five passes in a game twice this season and 10 times over the last 18 games.
• Sanders registered his first career 100-receiving yard performance in the victory over Alabama, catching five passes for 114 yards, including a career-long 50 yard reception that set up the Longhorns go-ahead score early in the fourth quarter.
• Sanders’ 100-yard receiving performance was the second for a Longhorn against the Crimson Tide, joining Jordan Shipley who had 122 yards on 10 receptions in the 2009 BCS Championship Game.
• His 50-yard reception was the 12th-longest for a Texas tight end in program history.
• He kicked off the 2023 season hauling in two passes for 44 yards against Rice, including a 44-yard touchdown reception in which he caught at the Rice 36-yard line and out-sprinted the Owl defenders to the end zone.
• The 44-yard reception was the longest of his career and was the sixth touchdown of his career, the seventh-most for a Texas tight end.• Sanders was tremendous during the 2022 campaign, earning All-Big 12 Honors from the league’s coaches and the Associated Press.
Jonathon on the Spot
• Sophomore RB Jonathon Brooks’ performance out of the backfield has been critical to the Longhorn success in the 2023 season.
• Brooks was dominant in the Texas victory over Kansas, posting his first career 200-yard rushing game, totaling 218 yards on 21 carries (10.4 ypc) with two touchdowns.
• His 218 yards were the fourth-most over for a Longhorn versus an AP-ranked opponent.
• Brooks registered his third consecutive 100-yard rushing performance and fourth.
• Brooks had a 54-yard touchdown run in the win over Kansas. Of his 13 career touchdowns (11 rushing, two receiving), five have been for 34 or more yards (three rushing, two receiving).
• Rushed for multiple touchdowns in his second consecutive game and third time in his career.
• At Baylor, he carried the ball 18 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns and also had an 18-yard reception.
• He had a career day in the victory over Wyoming, establishing career bests with 21 carries for 164 yards (7.8 ypc) while adding the eighth rushing touchdown of his career.
• During Texas’ two fourth-quarter scoring drives against the Cowboys, Brooks rushed for 107 yards on eight carries, including a 61-yard run.
• Against Alabama, he rushed a career-high 14 times for 57 yards and one touchdown.
• Brooks has scored a touchdown in three-straight games (2 rushing, 2 receiving) dating back to the Alamo Bowl against Washington when he had a rushing and receiving touchdown.
• He proved to be a dual threat in the win over Rice, rushing 12 times for 55 yards and catching a pair of passes for 42 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown reception, the longest reception of his career.
• For his career, the Hallettsville, Texas native is averaging 6.8 yards per carry, rushing 137 times for 937 yards with 11 touchdowns.
Ford Foundation
• Senior LB Jaylan Ford emerged as one of the top defenders in the nation in 2022, earning All-American honors from the Associated Press and first-team All-Big 12 accolades from the league’s coaches and the AP.
• In the Big 12 home opener against Kansas, he tallied a team-high seven tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss and one quarterback hurry.
• Ford collected a team-high eight tackles (four solo), one tackle for loss and one interception against Baylor.
• The interception against the Bears was the sixth of his career, fourth-most among Texas linebackers in program history.
• All six of his interceptions have led to Texas scoring drives (five touchdowns, one field goal).
• He has become a takeaway machine for the Longhorns, collecting eight over the last 12 games, including all six of his interceptions.
• The Frisco, Texas native tallied seven tackles (four solo), including one tackle for loss, in the Horns win against Wyoming, bringing his total tackles to over 200 for his career.
• Against Alabama, Ford tallied five tackles (two solo) with one tackle for loss in the victory.
• He opened the 2023 season right where he left off last season, registering five tackles (one solo) and intercepting one pass.
Murphy on a Mission
• Junior DL Byron Murphy II has appeared in 30 career games, registering 55 tackles (25 solo), 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks during his three seasons on the Forty Acres.
• He was a menace in the middle of the line for Texas against Baylor, collecting four tackles (all solo) and establishing career highs with three tackles for loss and two sacks.
• Murphy played a critical role in UT’s first touchdown drive against Wyoming, catching a 1-yard pass from Quinn Ewers to give the Longhorns their first lead of the game.
• It marked the first reception and touchdown of his career as he became the fourth Texas lineman ever to score an offensive touchdown.
• On the defensive side of the ball, Murphy tallied two tackles and had one QB hurry in the win.
• At Alabama, he was helped spearhead a defensive front that registered nine tackles for loss, five sacks and four quarterback hurries.
Jahdae All Day
• Senior DB Jahdae Barron’s impact in the defensive backfield can be felt throughout the team.
• Barron tallied three solo tackles, including a tackle for loss, and recovered a fumble that led to a Texas touchdown.
• Against Wyoming, Barron had a season-high 11 tackles (six solo), 0.5 TFL and one pass breakup in the win, including four third-down plays to force fourth down – three tackles and one pass breakup.
• At Alabama, Barron set the tone for the day, intercepting a pass to shut down the Crimson Tide’s first drive and returning it 16 yards to set up Texas’ first score.
• Barron added four tackles (three solo) in the win in Tuscaloosa, including a third-down tackle that forced an Alabama field goal.
• In 2022, Barron tallied a career-high 78 tackles (43 solo) including a team-leading 11.5 tackles for loss while adding two interceptions, one quarterback hurry, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery and two defensive touchdowns (INT, FR).
• He became the first FBS defensive back since 2000 to register double-digit tackles for loss, one fumble return for a touchdown and one interception return for a touchdown in the same season.
• Posted at least five tackles in eight games last season, including three double-digit performances.
• The pair of non-offensive touchdowns gave him three for his career, two shy of Michael Huff’s UT record.