Texas leans on running game to put Clemson away in CFP 1st round game

AUSTIN, TEXAS – DECEMBER 21: Jaydon Blue #23 of the Texas Longhorns runs the ball during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the Playoff First Round Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)

For only the third time all season, the Texas Longhorns rushed for more yards than they passed for in a game. It is no coincidence all three games have come at the end of the season.

After the Texas A&M game, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said, “Well, we challenged them about a month ago that the run game had to get going.” Mission accomplished.

With Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers struggling at times in the later half of the season, Sark knew to advance to and through the postseason, Texas would have to run the ball effectively. Against Clemson Saturday, UT did just that. Texas ran for 292 yards, against just 202 passing, to power through the Tigers defense with an efficient ball control offense.

Quintrevion Wisner did most of the hard work in the first half, rushing for 110 yards on 15 carries. Wisner was injured with three minutes left in the first half, but did return in the second.

The second half though belonged to Jaydon Blue, who electrified the DRK crowd wit touchdown runs of 38 and 77 yards. The 77-yarder came just three plays after Clemson had made it a one-possession game.

Both Wisner and Blue had 2 TDs apiece. After the game, Sark said on his running game, “Well, we committed to it. I thought we blocked things really well. Our runners trusted it. And they were hitting it.” Jerrick Gibson added 21 tough yards on 9 carries.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas leans on running game to put Clemson away in CFP 1st round game

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/texas-leans-running-game-put-021202561.html

Author : Longhorns Wire

Publish date : 2024-12-22 02:12:00

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