Texas’ hard-fought road win over Vanderbilt showed resilience and potential, but also highlighted areas that need improvement. This game showcased Texas’ ability to persevere in the face of adversity and highlighted both strengths and weaknesses, providing a clear roadmap for what to address during the bye week. Here’s an in-depth look at what we learned.

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Offence

• Dominance on the perimeter: Texas’ speed and athleticism on the outside were key assets. When the offense found its rhythm, it looked dominant, especially at the rim, where it used physical advantages to stretch the Vanderbilt defense. This mismatch allowed Texas to effectively exploit gaps and showcase the impact of their skill players.

• Inconsistency and self-inflicted mistakes: Despite moments of control, Texas’ offense struggled with penalties and turnovers that disrupted their momentum. These mistakes often stalled drives and prevented Texas from capitalizing on big plays. This inconsistency speaks to the need for better communication, discipline and composure to sustain drives, especially against stronger opponents.

• Quinn Ewers’ rebound performance: After a challenging game against Georgia, Ewers recovered. He showed better balance in the pocket and showed mobility. Although still under pressure, Ewers’ decisiveness improved.

• The versatility of Running Backs with room for growth: Texas’ running backs opened the game with hard runs and elusiveness, setting a tough, physical tone. Their ability to convert on third-and-long plays also highlighted their versatility and kept the Vanderbilt defense guessing. However, they occasionally exceeded designated lanes and bounced out unnecessarily, contributing to some holding penalties. Improving their patience and field awareness to hit lanes effectively will be crucial as they refine their game.

• Breakout performances by receivers: Matthew Golden put the game into momentum with a one-handed touchdown grab, while DeAndre Moore had a breakout game, hauling in a closing fade for a TD and creating yards after the catch with gritty, determined play. Moore’s ability to fight for extra yardage showed his value as a reliable, tough player who contributes consistently but also has the ability to deliver explosive play.

• Inconsistent offensive line play: The OL showed some strong moments, but generally struggled due to penalties, with some questionable holding calls interrupting their rhythm. These penalties, combined with inconsistent blocking, held back a more dominant offensive performance. Addressing discipline on the play and building consistency will be essential for Texas to maintain their physical, balanced attack.

Defense

• Strong response from the defensive line: After a rough first drive, the Texas defensive line adjusted well, especially by containing Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia in terms of options and rollouts. Although Trey Moore didn’t score a sack, his disruptive presence was felt throughout the game, highlighting his value as a defensive leader capable of limiting the opponent’s options.

• The intensive play of linebackers: The linebackers brought energy and aggression, flying down the field to make critical tackles and limit Vanderbilt’s offensive rhythm. Concerns about their gap management were unfounded, as they defended the run effectively and showed good awareness when passing lanes. Their performance boosted Texas’ defensive standard and highlighted the unit’s depth and speed.

• Physical and tactical presence of the secondary: Texas’ secondary played tough downhill football, making big hits and challenging Vanderbilt’s passing game. Their ability to get their hands on the ball, anticipate plays and run strong in coverage reinforced the physicality Texas strives for in the backfield.

• Promising debut from Jelani McDonald: In his first start, McDonald impressed with his physical tackling and field awareness, justifying the coaching staff’s high expectations of him. Veteran Michael Taaffe continued to lead by example, always being in the right place at the right time, creating turnovers with forced fumbles and timely interceptions. Taaffe’s leadership and awareness were invaluable to the defense, keeping them disciplined and well-coordinated.

Special teams

• An unpredictable outing: Texas special teams performance has been mixed. The second leg remains close, but repeated holding penalties negated significant returns and robbed Texas of their field position. Silas Bolden’s fair catching decision, coupled with inconsistent punting, highlighted the need for better situational awareness and consistency. Special teams will be a major focus during the bye week to prevent these mistakes from impacting close games down the road.

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In short, takeaway

This road win was a testament to Texas’ mental toughness as they overcame mistakes and rose to the challenge. The win demonstrated growth and resilience, proving that Texas would not allow a previous loss to derail their focus. As they enter the bye week, the team has a valuable opportunity to regroup, address discipline issues and tighten special teams execution. With a focus on fundamentals, improved consistency and healthier bodies, Texas is well-positioned to push for a strong finish as they approach the crucial games on their postseason path.