For the second straight year, the Texas Longhorns traveled up to Dallas, Texas, and gave their team a multiple-score, Texas-sized whooping, all while preventing the Sooners from ever crossing the goal line. In a game that featured a defensive domination the likes of which many thought they’d never see again after getting humiliated by a 1-3 unranked Florida team just a week ago, the boys in burnt orange proved they aren’t going anywhere just yet.

The SEC reminded the college football world of Texas’ high-caliber defense this morning after naming its players of the week, a list that praised two Longhorns defenders for their performances this past weekend.

Starting in the secondary, the returning Malik Muhammad would be honored with the SEC defensive player of the week after a spectacular performance that saw the ball hawk nab two of John Mateer’s three interceptions. Muhammad became the first Longhorn to acquire multiple interceptions against Oklahoma since 2016. While neither pick led to significant outcomes for the Texas offense, Muhammad’s second interception before the half prevented what would’ve likely been a Sooner field goal. Instead, OU would enter the second half with six points and a weaker grip on whatever momentum they may have had.

“I thought that was a massive play in the game,” said head coach Steve Sarkisian. “Because they had an opportunity to get points there at the end of the first half. And so for Manny to get that pick in the end zone, I really felt like that was a momentum-changing play as we went into the second half.”

Further down on the SEC’s honorable report is edge rusher Colin Simmons. Despite entering the season as one of the most prized players on the Texas defense, even being named to the preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, Simmons had yet to really make his mark on a national stage.

All that changed on Saturday after the Dallas-native put up a monstrous performance that saw him collect 2.5 sacks, a number that more than doubled that of the entire Oklahoma defense. What could arguably be considered his most impactful sack of the game came in the fourth quarter when Oklahoma was facing 3rd and 20, down 14 points. After breezing by left tackle Michael Fasusi, Simmons would chase down Mateer, creating an unfavorable 4th and 22. The Sooners would be unable to convert, hammering in the final nail in the coffin.

With statement performances from Muhammad and Simmons leading the charge, Texas reminded everyone that a massive part of its identity still begins on the defensive side of the ball. After a week filled with doubts about the Texas team's toughness and discipline, the Longhorns responded with their most complete defensive showing of the season. And while the journey ahead still remains treacherous, fans shouldn’t count out Texas just yet.