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Texas vs Oklahoma: 5 Players Who Must Step Up for Longhorns Football

By Tyler Brett

Oct 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates with the golden hat trophy after a victory against the Oklahoma Sooners during Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Texas beat Oklahoma 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates with the golden hat trophy after a victory against the Oklahoma Sooners during Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Texas beat Oklahoma 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Chris Warren III (25) runs the ball against the Texas Longhorns in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Cal won 50-43. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Chris Warren III (25) runs the ball against the Texas Longhorns in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Cal won 50-43. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

D’Onta Foreman will continue to be the man in the Texas running game with his Big-12 leading 436 yards rushing and five touchdowns on the ground. However, with the news that Chris Warren is out for Week 5 (and beyond), Texas needs someone to step up as the second running option. Enter freshman Kyle Porter.

The Bash Brothers are the most effective rushing duo in the Big 12 currently, ranking No. 1 and No. 2 in yards per game. They have achieved incredible balance as a one-two combination with both Foreman and Warren carrying the ball 62 times. But Warren is now sidelined with a knee injury which means his carries have to go somewhere. Foreman will take on a larger share of the rushing attack and Tyrone Swoopes may get more play in the 18-Wheeler package, but Porter has to step up and pick up the slack.

Against Oklahoma State, Porter was the only non-BB back to record a carry, rushing seven times for 30 yards. Outside of an 18-yard scamper, however, Porter struggled, averaging 2.0 yards per carry on his other six touches. The 5-foot-9, 208-pound freshman lacks the bulk of Warren and struggled when asked to bang inside the tackles on one of Texas’ interior power run plays.

Somehow, Porter will need to make an impact on this game. Foreman can’t carry the ball every down and needs a capable No. 2 to spell him from time to time. Right now, that looks like it’s going to be Porter. He just needs to prove he’s up to the challenge.

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