Steve Sarkisian celebrated Texas’ historic comeback over Ohio State, but warned ball security and third-down defense must improve before UTSA.
Texas football is No. 1 in the country after a historic comeback against Ohio State, but Steve Sarkisian made it clear Monday that the Longhorns shouldn’t start acting like they've accomplished anything yet.
Texas erased a 23-3 fourth-quarter deficit Saturday night to stun then-No. 1 Ohio State 24-23, scoring three touchdowns in the final period and taking its first lead with just 25 seconds remaining.
It was spectacular. Sarkisian also saw plenty he didn't like.
“Our ball security is not good enough,” Sarkisian said. “Not to be a championship team. Our third-down defense right now is not good enough. Not to be a championship team.”
That's the message as Texas prepares to host UTSA on Saturday night.
The Longhorns climbed to No. 1 in the AP poll after improving to 2-0, but Sarkisian isn't interested in allowing one dramatic victory to become the defining moment of the season.
“I showed them the Kobe clip this morning,” Sarkisian said. “Job's not finished.”
Texas' comeback showed why expectations are so high.
Arch Manning finished 23-of-37 for 195 passing yards and a touchdown, but his fourth quarter was considerably better than the final stat line suggests.
Manning completed 8 of 11 passes for 83 yards in the final period and directed touchdown drives of 91, 72 and 73 yards.
Sarkisian was particularly impressed with Manning's response after Texas struggled offensively for three quarters.
“He didn't panic. He stayed the course,” Sarkisian said.
Manning's 3-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo started the comeback before running back Hollywood Smothersscored twice from one yard out.
Smothers finished with 74 rushing yards and supplied the game-winner.
Texas also showed the physical identity Sarkisian has spent months trying to build. The Longhorns ran 41 times against Ohio State and committed only two penalties for 12 yards.
Still, there are warning signs.
Texas has already put the football on the ground several times through two games, and Sarkisian said the Longhorns rank at the bottom of the SEC in third-down defense.
Those flaws become more important now that every opponent gets a shot at the nation's top-ranked team.
Sarkisian isn't interested in the sudden shift from questions about whether Texas could beat Ohio State to declarations that the Longhorns are college football's best team.
“The ranking doesn't matter,” Sarkisian said. “How we perform is what matters the most.”
After one of the biggest wins of his Texas tenure, Sarkisian's message couldn't be much simpler.
Celebrate it then get back to work.
