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5 Takeaways From Texas Football Win vs Iowa State

By Tyler Brett

Oct 15, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong reacts against the Iowa State Cyclones during the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Longhorns won 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong reacts against the Iowa State Cyclones during the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Longhorns won 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Jordan Elliott (55) and defensive end Breckyn Hager (44) and linebacker Anthony Wheeler (45) tackle Iowa Stte Cyclones quarterback Joel Lanning (7) during the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Longhorns won 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Jordan Elliott (55) and defensive end Breckyn Hager (44) and linebacker Anthony Wheeler (45) tackle Iowa Stte Cyclones quarterback Joel Lanning (7) during the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Longhorns won 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

Coming into the game, Texas was statistically one of the worst defenses in the country. That can’t happen when you have a defensive head coach like Strong and the level of talent that Texas has on that side of the ball. On Saturday, the Horns finally put together a competent defensive performance.

Before this game, Texas had allowed 45 points or more in four of five games and was giving up more big plays than anyone in the Big 12. Poor tackling, missed assignments, and general confusion plagued this defense and made them wildly ineffective in trying to keep opposing offenses out of the end zone.

On Saturday, the Texas defense finally put it together. The Horns recorded eight sacks and allowed just 280 yards of total offense. After allowing yards in huge chunks in every game up to this one, Texas showed dramatic improvement. They allowed Iowa State to gain just 2.3 yards per rush and 5.4 yards per pass. The Cyclones converted just 6-of-19 third down attempts and were forced to punt seven times.

This was a major relief to Strong and the Longhorns defensive staff. With the talent that has been added to the roster on the recruiting trail, their defensive struggles have been a perplexing issue. At least for this game, we saw what this group is capable of doing.

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