4 takeaways from Texas's messy win over Vanderbilt

No. 5 Texas football had a tricky battle on the road on Saturday afternoon against the No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores and head coach Clark Lea. Texas needed a strong and balanced performance on each side of the ball after a humbling double-digit loss to the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs at home in Week 8.

Quinn Ewers helps lead No. 5 Texas football to a penalty-heavy win over No. 25 Vanderbilt on the road

After an early miscue from the Longhorns on its first offensive drive of the game early in the first quarter, quarterback Quinn Ewers and Texas's offense were rolling against Vanderbilt. The Commodores got on the scoreboard first, converting on Texas's turnover in its own territory early in the first quarter.

But the Longhorns started rolling after its first offensive drive that resulted in a turnover. Texas scored 21 straight points to take a comfortable double-digit lead heading into the locker room at halftime.

Vanderbilt fought back in the second half, converting another tipped-ball interception from Ewers into points on a fourth-down conversion for a touchdown in the red area against Texas's defense.

Texas also drew a couple of key turnovers of its own in the second half, which helped to ultimately secure the close victory over Vandy. Diego Pavia and the Commodores really made the Longhorns sweat this one out. Vandy scored a touchdown to bring the score to just a 27-24 Texas lead late in the fourth quarter.

But the Longhorns recovered a late onside kick from Vandy to secure its third win in conference play, and the program's first ever SEC win on the road.

Here are four takeaways as Texas staves off the upset bid against Vandy on the road in Week 9.

DeAndre Moore Jr. shines at receiver

Today was a career day for sophomore wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr., who had his second SEC game with over 90 receiving yards and multiple touchdown catches this season. Moore had two receiving touchdowns in the first half alone on a couple of nice explosive catch-and-run plays for 20+ yards into the end zone.

After Texas got on the scoreboard with a nice touchdown pass from Ewers to junior wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first quarter, Moore helped the Longhorns build a comfortable lead before halftime with a pair of scores. Texas had two straight touchdowns on the aforementioned explosive passes from Ewers to Moore, which accounted for over 50 receiving yards for the second-year wideout.

Moore also had a good day blocking for the Longhorns, making some physical blocks downfield to help Texas pass-catchers pick up valuable yards after the catch.

The biggest play Moore made in this game was possibly a recovered onside kick to secure the victory late for the Longhorns in the fourth quarter after Vandy had drawn within three points.