Texas Football: 3 takeaways from Longhorns’ gritty win vs. Iowa State

T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II continue to dominate the trenches

Another week, another big performance for the Longhorns by junior defensive lineman Byron Murphy II and Sweat. These two were menacing up front for the Longhorns, which helped hold Iowa State to just nine rushing yards on the night. Texas also got to redshirt freshman Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht for three sacks and multiple more QB pressures.

Murphy got in on two of the sacks in this game. Sophomore edge rusher Ethan Burke and senior defensive lineman Alfred Collins were also at least partially credited for sacks.

Sweat was making plays all over the place. He was a force rushing the passer up the middle, getting hands up in the passing lanes, and on special teams. Sweat also helped to clog up the lanes in the A and B gaps in run defense.

He batted a ball to force a fourth down against Iowa State on a key first-half drive. Sweat also got a hand in the way of an extra-point attempt by Iowa State that saw Jordan return it for two points. That was a huge play at a key point in the game for the Longhorns when the Cyclones could’ve closed the Texas lead to just a field goal.

Sweat and Murphy had huge games for the Longhorns as they continue to show why they’re the best defensive line duo in the FBS this season. They entered Week 12 as the two highest-graded interior defensive linemen in the FBS. And if this performance against Iowa State was any indication, I’d expect them to hold that mantle coming out of Week 12.