The Texas Longhorns achieved a significant victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, with a final score of 34-31. This win highlighted notable improvements from the Longhorns” offensive line, particularly in their pass protection.
Quarterback Arch Manning had an impressive outing, completing 25 of 33 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns. While Manning”s individual growth was evident, the enhanced performance of the offensive line played a crucial role in this achievement. The unit has faced scrutiny throughout the season for their struggles, particularly against strong SEC defenses. However, their performance against the Commodores marked a turning point.
For the first time this conference season, Manning was not sacked during the game, which is a testament to the offensive line”s improvement. Previously, he had been sacked six times in the season opener against the Florida Gators and five times against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the prior game. Additionally, the offensive line allowed just six quarterback pressures against Vanderbilt, a significant reduction compared to their earlier conference games where they permitted 36, 18, 23, and 26 quarterback hurries, respectively.
Prior to the matchup with Vanderbilt, Texas made strategic adjustments to bolster their offensive line. Coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff shifted senior Cole Hutson to left guard and moved junior Connor Robertson to center, a decision that proved effective. While the offensive line still has areas for improvement, their recent performance suggests they are rising to the occasion at a critical juncture in the season.
If they can maintain this level of protection in the coming weeks, the Longhorns could solidify their position as serious contenders in the SEC.
