Let’s talk about Texas Longhorns football before the presidential debate
Who needs a debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump? Before tonight’s presidential debate, the Statesman is hosting a debate with topics from Texas football.
After a 2-0 start that includes a clear road win in Michigan against the defending national champions, the No. 3 Texas football team will return home as a heavy favorite against UTSA.
Can the Longhorns maintain their focus and momentum against a Roadrunner team that put up a tough fight in Austin two years ago? Follow live updates as Texas builds to a big first-half lead but may have to play without Quinn Ewers, who is coming off an injury. Arch Manning is in the game at quarterback for Texas and has already scored two touchdowns.
More: Hook ‘Em Horns! Thousands of Texas football fans support Longhorns vs. UTSA Roadrunners
Arch Manning! He’s not like Manning’s other quarterbacks when it comes to using his legs. The 6’4″, 220-pound redshirt freshman gets the ball and runs down the right side of the defense for a 67-yard touchdown. We’ve all heard about Manning’s speed, and here he shows it off.
Fireworks at Royal Memorial Stadium. Arch Manning comes in for Quinn Ewers as quarterback for Texas and promptly throws a 19-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore on his first snap. UTSA responds with a 2-play drive over 75 yards, which includes a 53-yard touchdown run by Robert Henry. It never gets boring with the Longhorns.
Good news for Texas fans? Kelvin Banks Jr. has returned to the game and looks good. But the bad news? After catching a 49-yard pass from tight end Gunnar Helm, Quinn Ewers paused and went down with a leg or groin injury. Arch Manning, perhaps the most famous backup in college football history, enters the game to a loud roar.
Absolute dominance by Texas despite a turnover in their own territory when Quinn Ewers threw his second interception of the season. Texas has 156 yards on 21 snaps compared to 24 yards on 12 snaps for UTSA. But fans have to be a little worried about All-American left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. after he had to leave the game with an apparent shoulder injury.
An adventurous series of events at the end of the first quarter for Texas. After reaching UTSA’s 8-yard line, Texas went back after a penalty and a fumble on a reverse pass. But on third down and goal from the 19-yard line, Quinn Ewers found Johntay Cook II, who ran through the middle of the defense and gave the second-year receiver the first touchdown of his career. Texas had to be a little worried about All-American left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr, who grabbed his right shoulder as he walked away. Trevor Goosby came in at left tackle to finish the drive.
Maybe we should slow down the Heisman Trophy talks for Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, who just threw an ill-advised interception in the flat to Owen Pewee. Worse, Ewers appeared to be massaging his thumb and throwing hand. But he seems OK on the sideline. Fortunately for Texas, the defense holds a fourth-down stop on their own 30-yard line when linebacker David Gbenda and safety Michael Taaffe throw UTSA RB Robert Henry for a loss on fourth-and-1.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers and the Texas offense dismantled the UTSA defense on their first drive of the game. Ewers, who entered this weekend as the Heisman Trophy favorite, completed seven of eight passes for 77 yards and a 7-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond.
Running back Jaydon Blue and safety Jelani McDonald were ruled out of Saturday’s game, according to Texas officials. Blue limped off the field in last week’s win over Michigan but returned to the game, and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian indicated this week that Blue would play despite a sprain in his right ankle. Reserve running backs Quintrevion Wisner and Jerrick Gibson combined for 66 rushing yards against Michigan, and the two have combined for 155 rushing yards on 33 carries this season.
McDonald, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound sophomore, was assigned as a safety and has three tackles this season. He is dealing with an ankle injury, according to Texas officials.
Reserve defensive tackle Aaron Bryant is also out due to a knee injury.
RB Jaydon Blue, S Jelani McDonald out?
According to a preliminary report from Chip Brown at 247Sports, running back Jaydon Blue and safety Jelani McDonald will miss the Longhorns’ game against UTSA. Blue limped off the field in last week’s win over Michigan but returned to the game, and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian indicated this week that Blue would play despite a sprained right ankle.
Reserve running backs Quintrevion Wisner and Jerrick Gibson combined for 66 rushing yards against Michigan, and this season the two have combined for 155 rushing yards on 33 carries.
McDonald, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound sophomore, was used as a safety and has three tackles this season.
RB Jaydon Blue is expected to play against UTSA
Jaydon Blue, the starting running back for Texas, is expected to start against UTSA after limping off the field in last week’s win over Michigan. Blue returned to the game and finished with 22 yards on nine carries, but he wore a walking boot on his right foot after the game.
However, Blue attended a media session earlier this week without a walking shoe and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian indicated he would be ready for Saturday’s game against UTSA. The coach also praised running backs Quintrevion Wisner and Jerrick Gibson, who combined for 66 rushing yards against Michigan.
Watch Texas vs UTSA football game live on ESPN+
More: Trey Moore, known as Texas Football ‘J. Cole’, is looking forward to the game against his former team UTSA
What channel is the Texas vs UTSA game on today?
- TV channels: ESPN
- Streaming: Watch ESPN; Fubo (free trial)
- Radio: 1300 hours, 98.1 FM, 105.3 FM (Spanish)
Texas vs. UTSA will air nationally on ESPN during Week 3 of the 2024 college football season. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
History of Texas vs. UTSA
- Series record: Texas, 1-0
- Last win by Texas: 17 September 2022 (41-20)
- UTSA last win: N/A
Predictions for Texas vs. UTSA
Thomas Jones, Texas Beat writer
Texas 56, UT 13
Chance to show depth
QB Arch Manning, RB Jerrick Gibson, CB Kobe Black, LB Ty’Anthony Smith: These and other young players won’t be starting, but they will see plenty of action as Texas sweeps a struggling Roadrunner team.
Cedric Golden, columnist
Texas 48, UT 6
BIGGER GAME IN EYE
The Horns have much bigger game to chase over the next three weeks or so and will not let the Roadrunners get in their way. The pass rush is finally showing and Arch Manning is getting a little more run.
Danny Davis, Texas Beat Writer
Drone on
UTSA gave Texas a scare two years ago, but that wasn’t two years ago. On Saturday, the drone show will be the only reason to stick around for the second half.
David Eckert, Texas Insider
Texas 55, UT 10
LOTS OF SNAPSHOT, LOTS OF POINTS?
Given the pace at which both offenses play, there will be enough possession in this game for things to get ugly quickly. This should be another game where Steve Sarkisian can get his reserves some valuable playing time.
Updated after the game: 3 questions we’ll answer about Texas’ pass rush and run game
Texas vs. UTSA Betting Odds
BetMGM lines and odds from Saturday
- Spread: Texas with 35.5
- Over/Under: 53.5
- Money line: Texas (-33333), UTSA (+2375)
Injury updates on Texas vs. UTSA
Starting running back CJ Baxter is out for the rest of the season for Texas, as is one of his backups, freshman Christian Clark.
Weather Update Texas vs. UTSA
According to the National Weather Service, Austin is in for a hot and humid day. Temperatures could still be around 100 degrees at kickoff and humidity will rise once the sun goes down.
Texas Football 2024 Schedule
- 31 August: Texas 52, Colorado State 0
- 7 September: Texas 31, Michigan 12
- 14 September: Texas vs. UTSA | 6 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
- 21 September: Texas vs. Louisiana Monroe | 7 p.m. | ESPN+, SEC Network+
- 28 September: Texas vs. Mississippi State*
- October 5: BYE
- October 12: Texas vs. No. 16 Oklahoma | 2:30 p.m. | ABC or ESPN (Fubo)*
- October 19: Texas vs. No. 1 Georgia*
- October 26: Texas at Vanderbilt*
- 2 November: BYE
- 9 November: Texas vs. Florida | 11am | ABC or ESPN (Fubo)*
- 16 November: Texas at Arkansas | 11am | ABC or ESPN (Fubo)*
- 23 November: Texas vs. Kentucky*
- 30 November: Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M*
UTSA Football Team Schedule 2024
- August 31: UTSA 28, Kennesaw State 16
- September 7: Texas State 49, UTSA 10
- Sept. 14: in Texas, 6 p.m.
- September 21: vs. Houston Christian, 2:30 p.m.
- September 28: at East Carolina, TBA
- Oct. 12: at Rice, TBA
- Oct. 19: vs. Florida Atlantic, TBA
- Oct. 26: in Tulsa, TBA
- November 2: vs. Memphis, TBA
- November 15: vs. UNT, 8 p.m.
- November 22: against Temple, 6 p.m.
- 30 November: at the army, 11 a.m.
Texas football news
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