4 takeaways from Texas's dominant win over Colorado State
After a slow start to the first few drives of the game, No. 4 ranked Texas football was nearly spotless on both sides of the ball in the regular season opener on Aug. 31 at home against the Colorado State Rams. Texas shut down Colorado State's air raid offense and their skilled receiving corps with a solid effort on both sides of the ball to get the convincing win to open up the inaugural season in the SEC in 2024.
Texas football takes care of business without issue in Week 1 vs. Colorado State
Third-year starting quarterback Quinn Ewers got comfortable leading the offense after the first few drives of the game, which sparked the rest of the team to take complete control of this one. Texas didn't waiver on defense, and the offense looked explosive at the skill positions with complete command from the Longhorn quarterbacks as well.
Texas made the pre-game 32.5-point spread (per FanDuel) look measly with its blowout of the Rams at DKR this afternoon. Head coach Steve Sarkisian was able to empty out the bench in the second half of this game to show off the talent and depth of the Longhorns in the opener and get these guys on both sides of the ball valuable live-game reps in the second half.
After a great late-game interception from true freshman defensive back Wardell Mack, the Longhorns locked in the 52-0 shutout win to open the season over Colorado State.
Here are four takeaways from the Longhorns dominant 50+ point win over Colorado State in Week 1.
Secondary locks down on Colorado State's air raid attack
Colorado State's passing game was expected to test to the Texas secondary in the season opener. The productive quarterback-to-wide receiver connection between sophomore signal-caller Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and star receiver Tory Horton was held in check, though, from the very start of this game.
In the first half, the Longhorns set the tone, letting Colorado State know that it wouldn't be easy to get over the top in the passing game. Texas held Colorado State to the fewest first-half passing yards of any game for the Rams since the start of the 2023 season, with just 25 (per SIS Data Hub).
Texas didn't let up much underneath either from the secondary or the linebackers dropping back into pass coverage. This was a really solid performance for the entire defense, keeping Colorado State from crossing the 50-yard line on all drives but one until garbage time in the fourth quarter.
Many of the worries about the Texas secondary, and specifically the safety position holding up with the rotation in pass coverage, were put to ease (for now, at least) during the regular season opener win over Colorado State.