MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters
Instant Analysis: Longhorns' run game emerges headed into Lone Star Showdown
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Having the ability to run the ball consistently, even when the opponent knows you're going to run it, is perhaps the biggest power move in football. Texas showed it could do just that against Kentucky on Saturday in a 31-14 win at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The Longhorns chewed 8:22 off the clock in the fourth quarter with 15 consecutive run plays for 86 yards, ending in a 1-yard score by Quintrevion Wisner to ice the game against the Wildcats. Texas rushed for 251 yards on 46 carries for the game, averaging more than six yards per carry, with Wisner going for a career-high 158 yards. Jaydon Blue added 96 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown.
The Longhorns need to lean on the run game when things get tough, especially this deep in the season with the Lone Star Showdown, a potential SEC title game berth and a spot in the College Football Playoff on the horizon. They were able to do that against the Wildcats who are typically pretty good against the run.
Texas fumbled six times, however, so that's not a good thing and head coach Steve Sarkisian said that "clearly needs to be addressed," so perhaps more players will be walking around campus holding the pigskin high and tight to their chests.
Roger Wallace and Noah Gross break down the win and what it means heading into the long-awaited rivalry renewal against Texas A&M.