Texas’ fourth-quarter woes continue
In three of the last four games, Texas has seen a 20+ second-quarter lead dwindle to a single possession in the fourth quarter. It all started in Week 8 when Texas lost Ewers to a shoulder injury in the second half against the Houston Cougars. Texas was already starting to give way to Houston and head coach Dana Holgorsen early in the second half after holding a 21-0 lead in that game.
Texas survived Houston on the road on Oct. 21 thanks to the Cougars falling short on a fourth-down conversion in the red zone late in the game.
And then, the Longhorns blew a 27-7 second-half lead against the No. 23 Kansas State Wildcats at home at DKR in Austin. Kansas State came all the way back from down 20 points in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime. Texas barely hung on against Kansas State thanks to a confusing call to go for it on fourth down by Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman.
Texas seemingly had this game put away in the third quarter with Ewers back at quarterback after missing the last two games due to a shoulder injury. The Longhorns had the passing and ground games rolling in the first half.
But Texas only mustered three points in the entire second half thanks to TCU holding the Longhorns to 1-of-6 on third-down conversions in the final 30 minutes. Texas also got away from what made it successful in the first half, especially with Brooks out due to a lower-body injury.
Despite him completing 15-of-22 passing attempts for nearly 250 passing yards and one touchdown in the first half, Ewers only got three passing attempts in the fourth quarter. Ewers did complete all three passing attempts in the fourth quarter, including the long pass to Mitchell to seal the game.
But Sark should’ve opened up the offense more with Brooks sidelined due to injury. While Ewers was in his first game back after missing two starts, he was effective throughout.
Texas continues to let its foot off the gas when it can put opponents away in the second half. If Sark and the Longhorns aren’t careful down the stretch, one of these narrow escapes will come back to bite them.