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Texas Football: Best Longhorns’ performers in win over USC

By Andrew Miller

(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 1: Gary Johnson #33 of the Texas Longhorns looks during a play review against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at FedExField on September 1, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. Johnson was ejected from the game for a targeting penalty. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 1: Gary Johnson #33 of the Texas Longhorns looks during a play review against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at FedExField on September 1, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. Johnson was ejected from the game for a targeting penalty. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

You could not ask for a better showing from senior Texas football linebacker Gary Johnson on the biggest non-conference stage of the year. Johnson had a big week against Tulsa after he missed most of the Maryland game due to a big targeting call in the first half. Yet, that targeting call did not cause Johnson to miss any time against Tulsa.

Against USC, Johnson racked up a whopping six total tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack. Johnson was all over the field for the Horns in this win and even had one additional quarterback hurry. Daniels came under pressure a lot in the second half, and the efforts from Johnson flying all over the field was a huge reason why.

At this point, Johnson is one of the clear leaders for this Texas defense. He has become a senior leader that second-year Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando can rely on a consistent basis. Johnson was also one of the few defensive players for the Horns that had a forced fumble in this game.

Johnson now has 13 total tackles, more than five tackles for loss, and one forced fumble on the season. Yet, this was clearly his best individual effort on the season so far, which could give him enough confidence to emerge as a potential All-American candidate for the Horns in 2018.

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