The Texas Longhorns’ title dreams came crashing in the Sugar Bowl on Monday after their late comeback bid against Michael Penix Jr. and the Washington Huskies failed big time. Head coach Steve Sarkisian, however, admitted they have no one to blame but themselves.
Texas had a chance to win late in the game when Quinn Ewers found Adonai Mitchell in the end zone and threw a pass to him. With the scores at 37-31 and no time left, a catch would have won the game for the Longhorns. Unfortunately, Mitchell didn’t have a chance to touch the ball, with cornerback Elijah Jackson swiping the ball away to seal the victory for Washington.
WHAT A DEFENSIVE STOP FROM ELIJAH JACKSON ❌
HUSKIES TO THE NATTY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9cXldB8yCR
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 2, 2024
After the game, Sarkisian confessed that the Longhorns didn’t do themselves any favor in the loss. They came into the game with a 93rd-ranked passing defense, and despite their lengthy preparation, things didn’t improve much.
“We dug ourselves a hole with some self-inflicted wounds. Give credit to Washington, they played a very good game,” Sarkisian shared, via Crissy Ford of Sporting News.
The Texas Longhorns allowed Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to play his game, with the 23-year-old finishing with 29-of-38 pass completion for 430 yards and two touchdowns. He even rushed three times for 31 yards.
Texas knew entering the game that Washington’s calling card is their top-rated passing offense, but it definitely didn’t look like Steve Sarkisian had his guys prepared for it.
The head coach did confess that they simply couldn’t find a way to stop Penix. And while it’s a testament to the quarterback’s talent, it also speaks volumes of how poor the gameplan of the Longhorns was.
“There were times where we did create some pressure, we just couldn’t get him on the ground. That was the most frustrating part… I thought they did a good job of taking advantage of one-on-one matchups when they got them,” Sarkisian furthered on Penix.
While Sarkisian’s men made things interesting late in the Sugar Bowl, the fact of the matter is Washington was in full control all game long. The Huskies were able to score easily less than four minutes into the game, and that was already telling of what’s to come.
Texas Longhorns Coach Steve Sarkisian Ripped
Despite taking accountability for the loss, Steve Sarkisian didn’t escape the wrath and mockery of college football fans.
The Texas Longhorns head coach found himself on the receiving end of plenty of insults, particularly in the clutch moments of the game when they had a chance to take the lead and win.
While Ewers’ throw to Mitchell at the end looked good, the Longhorns should have known there would be tighter coverage on the guy that has already scored one touchdown for them earlier in the game.
Steve Sarkisian trying to call plays in that last 15 seconds: pic.twitter.com/PglA50QgsV
— chad (@willraftus) January 2, 2024
Steve Sarkisian with the game on the line pic.twitter.com/DMKsecbtar
— Cal (@dawginhim) January 2, 2024
Steve Sarkisian calling plays in critical moments that aren’t pre-scripted pic.twitter.com/OqkqFxIx11
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) January 2, 2024
It’s definitely a devastating way to end the season for the Longhorns. They were just a win away from the College Football Playoff National Championship, but they simply didn’t look like a team ready to win it all.
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