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

CJ Baxter Jr. steps up with Jonathon Brooks out

Texas needed Baxter to step up in the backfield down the stretch this season with redshirt sophomore running back Jonathon Brooks out due to an ACL tear he suffered last week in the win over the TCU Horned Frogs.

Baxter answered the call with a game-high 117 rushes on 20 carries (5.9 yards per carry) and five catches for 13 receiving yards. He had by far the most rushing attempts of all the Texas backs vs. Iowa State. Sophomore running back Jaydon Blue had the second-most rushing attempts, taking seven carries for 18 yards.

Baxter ran hard and fought through injury in this game to give the Longhorns a much-needed boost on the ground.

His steady efforts on the ground helped to keep Texas’ offensive attack balanced. Texas was balanced in this game, with 33 passing attempts and 34 rushing attempts against Iowa State.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers was effective in this game, too, putting up just over 280 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Moreover, this was Baxter’s first career 100-rushing yard game. He’s been really productive for the Longhorns in the last three weeks, tallying 268 rushing yards on 40 carries, with one rushing touchdown. Texas will need him to continue to come up big down the stretch this season with Brooks out.