Michigan Game Recap
Texas walks out of the Big House with a huge shot to their confidence moving forward in the 2024 season, after a dominant win over the Wolverines. Photo: Manoo Sirivelu, The Daily Texan
Another year, another win over a top-10 opponent on the road. How about those Horns?!
In what is becoming routine at this point, the Texas Longhorns handled another massive road test on Saturday, showing the college football world that Texas is indeed a true contender in 2024. For the second straight year, the Longhorns took on one of the premier programs in college football history in a hostile road environment, and won by double digits. This time, however, it wasn’t the classic that the 34-24 victory over Nick Saban’s Tide was. This was a comprehensive beatdown, in every facet of the game. Texas ended Michigan’s 23-game home winning streak in a 31-12 victory that wasn’t that close. There ain’t gonna be no 24!
The Longhorns move to 2-0 on the season, having surrendered just a single touchdown so far through 2 games (in garbage time too - man, really wanted to keep them out of the end zone).
This Texas team is putting the SEC and the nation on notice - we’re here, and we’re not going anywhere.
QB Quinn Ewers emerged as a Heisman favorite, throwing for 246 yards and 3 TDs on 24/36 completions. Photo: Gregory Shamus, Getty Images
Right from the start, Texas was all over the Wolverines. The first 5 drives for the Texas offense resulted in 4 scores and a missed field goal. The Michigan defense could do little to slow down the balanced attack created by Steve Sarkisian’s brilliantly executed game plan. Quarterback Quinn Ewers announced himself as a Heisman hopeful by meticulously dissecting what was touted as a top defense in college football. He was efficient, took checkdowns, found the tight end, consistently converted on third down, and used his pocket mobility to generate explosive plays. It was all you could ask for out of your veteran QB on the road, and he delivered. The game was essentially wrapped by halftime, with Texas leading 24-3, and there was little work for Quinn to do in the 2nd half.
Additionally, Texas actually played much of the 1st half without starting RB Jaydon Blue, as he exited the game early with a minor injury. This proved to be no problem, as QUINTREVION Wisner and Jerrick Gibson provided a 1-2 punch that demonstrated Texas’ depth in the running back room. Even so, Blue returned in the 3rd quarter for a touchdown from Ewers that put the game completely on ice as the Horns took a 31-6 lead.
Gunnar Helm was a standout player for the Longhorns offense - he announced himself as a true matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, as he led the team with 7 catches for 98 yards and a score.
Shout out to the offensive line as well - this group manhandled a highly vaunted Michigan defensive front, giving Ewers plenty of time in the pocket when needed (0 sacks allowed), and opening up holes to allow for Texas’ rotation of backs to pick up chunk yards and extend drives in short yardage situations.
We’ve got some DUDES, y’all.
The Texas defense put on a clinic, bottling up the Wolverines' rushing attack and generating 3 turnovers while making things difficult for QB Davis Warren all day. Photo: Detroit Free Press
Now, let’s talk about this Texas DEFENSE!
What a completely smothering performance by the Longhorns against the Michigan “offense.” Seriously, I think that effort offended many of the 111,000+ fans at the Big House on Saturday.
That is not to take anything away from the way the Texas secondary played - creating 2 INTs of Davis Warren and holding him to under 100 passing yards until late in the game when the result was no longer in doubt (not that it ever was). Michigan’s only option was to throw to TE Colston Loveland, and perhaps that heavy reliance showed as he fumbled the ball late in the 2nd quarter leading to the Texas touchdown that put the decisive score of 24-3 on the board to close the first half. This is a much improved secondary from a year ago, highlighted by the addition of Clemson transfer Andrew Mukuba, who came away with an INT and a few other big stops on the day.
The Longhorns’ run defense showed it is not interested in taking a step back from last year, limiting the Wolverines to just 80 total yards on 3.5 yards per carry. Oh, and they quickly put Michigan’s 2-quarterback idea to bed, as run-oriented QB Alex Orji was stuffed for a loss on both of his carries.
The moment was simply too much for an inexperienced QB and a team replacing much of the talent that led to their national championship a year ago. And the Texas defense was showing no mercy on this day.
Texas now sits #2 in the AP poll and has clearly established itself as a team to beat in college football for 2024. Photo: Junfu Han, USA Today
All in all, this was a game dominated by Texas in every phase. It was a huge statement win for Sark’s program that only continues its upward ascent. That being said, it was only week 2, and there’s still a lot of football to be played. Let’s go get some more.
Final score: 31-12 Texas
Hook ‘em
