3 big overreactions after Texas's gritty win over Texas A&M

Michael Taaffe is the biggest game-changer in Texas's secondary

Many key players for the Longhorns on the defensive side of the ball made huge plays that changed the course of this game in the second half. Whether it was senior defensive tackle Vernon Broughton recovering the game-winning fumble turnover late in the fourth quarter or redshirt junior safety Michael Taaffe coming up with a big interception to set the tone for the defense in the first half, the Longhorns got major contributions from each position group yesterday against the Aggies.

While Taaffe has come up big for the Longhorns' secondary all season long as their most consistent presence at the safety position, the win over Texas A&M sticks out as one of his most important performances for this defense for Texas. Texas needed a leader in the secondary to make big plays at key points of the game to make sure A&M stayed out of the end zone.

Not only did Taaffe get the big interception early when Texas A&M was driving in the first quarter on offense, he also had a key pass breakup on a money down in the second half.

Taaffe finished up this win over Texas A&M with a tremendous all-around performance, registering three tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, one interception, and no missed tackles.

This was Taaffe's highest graded game of this regular season for the Longhorns' defense against Texas A&M (per PFF).

Taaffe setting the tone for the Texas secondary in this game meant that the Longhorns were able to make the Texas A&M skill guys (specifically their receiving corps) minimal threats even before halftime yesterday.

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