Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian has seen the offensive explosiveness that may occur at the Alamo Bowl. He was the coach of the Washington Huskies at the 2011 version of the sport in a loopy 67-56 loss to the Baylor Bears.
But it seems like lightning will not be placing twice within the Alamo City prefer it did over a decade in the past … at least not for Sarkisian.
Even behind an unofficial home-field benefit, the No. 20 Longhorns failed to provide a lot of something on offense within the first half of Thursday’s Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, as a 42-yard landing by the No. 12 Huskies close to the tip of the primary quarter made all of the distinction in a 13-3 deficit for Texas headed into halftime.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was environment friendly, as he went 14 of 20 for 126 yards within the first half however missed just a few alternatives that may’ve modified the tide for the Horns. With a brand new No. 1 jersey on his again, receiver Xavier Worthy led all pass-catchers with 5 catches for 42 yards at the half.
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was held in verify in comparison with his regular requirements, as he completed the half 16 of 30 passing for 139 yards, no touchdowns and a decide.
Washington’s high-powered offense regarded each bit the half on the primary play from scrimmage, as Penix Jr. took the flea-flicker and unloaded a 35-yard bomb to receiver Ja’Lynn Polk.
But simply three performs later, Jerrin Thompson picked-off an arrant move from Penix to provide Texas possession. Even although the Longhorns went three-and-out on the following possession, turning the Huskies over proper outdoors the purple zone was a significant win for the protection … till it wasn’t.
The Huskies blocked the punt and bought the ball again instantly at Texas’ 30-yard line. Washington managed a area purpose to take a 3-0 lead because the Longhorns protection held up once more.
This stout begin in opposition to arguably the very best offense within the nation was going to be tough to maintain, one thing that got here to fruition quickly after the Longhorns tied the sport at 3-3 after a 27-yard catch-and-run by receiver Casey Cain bought Texas into field-goal vary.
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After slowing working their method towards midfield on the following drive, the Huskies broke open one other large one, as operating again Wayne Taulapapa erupted for a 42-yard landing to provide the Huskies a 10-3 lead.
The Longhorns went for it on 4th and 1 from the Washington 37-yard line on the following drive, however a questionable move from Ewers was properly behind Worthy because the Huskies took over.
The groups then traded punts for the following 4 drives earlier than the Huskies added a area purpose proper earlier than the half to increase the result in 13-3. A large-open landing was within the arms of receiver Rome Odunze, he dropped the ball as Washington needed to accept three factors.
The Longhorns will obtain the second-half kickoff.
You can comply with Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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