Texas Football: 4 overreactions after decisive win over No. 23 UL
Pass blocking will be problematic
The performance by the offensive line in this win over Louisiana was anything but impressive for the Longhorns. And there was plenty of faults to go around for every single one of the starting offensive linemen in this game.
Every single one of the Texas starting offensive linemen gave up at least two quarterback pressures, which amounted to three total sacks. Even senior tight end Cade Brewer gave up two quarterback pressures in just six snaps in pass blocking plays.
Texas allowed a dozen total pressures from the starting offensive linemen in pass blocking plays in this game. And no one allowed a pressure rate better than 6.5. By comparison, three of the five starting offensive linemen in the regular season opener last year had a pressure rate lower than 2.0. And two of the five starting offensive linemen in the season opener last year didn’t give up a single pressure (Derek Kerstetter and Samuel Cosmi).
What’s even more concerning about the poor showing from the Texas offensive line this week is the fact that one of the weaknesses of this Louisiana defense was supposed to be the pass rush. Arkansas is a team that has a lot more capable athletes in the front seven to generate pass rush, so there will be a big challenge ahead for the offensive line in Week 2.
It is important to note that it looked like the Texas offensive line struggled with the transition to more play-action and rollout passes in the season opener. That is evident in the fact that Kerstetter and Christian Jones (two of the most experienced Texas offensive linemen) didn’t give up a single pressure in true pass sets. Meanwhile, Kerstetter and Jones gave up a combined five pressures in other passing plays.
The offensive line play needs to get better in Week 2. It’s not acceptable that the three highest graded Longhorns players in pass blocking against Louisiana were two running backs and a wide receiver.
We expect better out of the likes of Junior Angilau (who came up with a lower-body injury that we will continue to monitor) and Kerstetter to anchor this offensive line this season.