By PML College Insider | Austin, TX
đ§ QB Maalik Murphy
Stat line: 23 of 39 passing, 284 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs
Murphy delivered big plays â four touchdown passes show heâs capable of generating explosive results. But the three interceptions serve as reminders of the areas he must tighten. Late in the game, with the lead in his hands, the turnovers gave South Carolina life and made the finish tense.
Takeaway: Murphy continues to show the arm and the composure, but decision-making under pressure remains a work in progress.
đ HB CJ Baxter
Stat line: 11 carries, 45 yards, long 14
While his rushing output didnât explode this week, Baxterâs role in keeping drives alive and his ability to make positive yards consistently deserve recognition. With how the game stayed tighter than expected, those âpositive-yardageâ carries mattered.
Takeaway: Baxterâs reliability is a foundation; the team needs him to be more dominant to put games away earlier.
⥠WR Kaliq Lockett
Stat line: 4 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD, long 66, 1 drop
Lockett was electric. His big play (66 yards) ignited Texasâ offense and gave them momentum. The one drop is a blemish, but the overall impact was strong.
Takeaway: Lockett is emerging as the game-changer in the passing game. Big plays matter.
đŻ TE Jack Endries
Stat line: 8 receptions, 81 yards, 2 TDs
Endries showed up in the red zone and moved the chains. Two touchdowns indicate the offense trusts him in critical scoring situations.
Takeaway:Â This kind of production from your TE is exactly what multiplies your offensive threats.
đȘ LB TyâAnthony Smith
Stat line: 5 TFL, a key presence in run defense (based on stats you supplied)
Smith again anchored the defense, showing sideline-to-sideline speed and physicality. In a game where the opponent kept fighting, his consistency kept Texas from handing control over.
Takeaway: Smith is your defensive heartbeat â when heâs locked in, the unit performs.
𧱠CB Kobe Black
Stat line: 1 TFL, 4 tackles, consistent in coverage
Black continues to step up in coverage and in run support. With South Carolina threatening, his ability to hold his own helped Texas maintain the lead.
Takeaway: As your boundary CB, Blackâs performance gives you faith when the offense is under stress.
𧩠CB Eli Bowen
Stat line: 11 tackles, 3 TFL (according to box) â wow
Bowenâs high tackle count and multiple tackles for loss underscore how active he was. He didnât just cover â he involved himself in making plays everywhere.
Takeaway: Bowen is proving that heâs more than a secondary name; he is a playmaker who can flip field position and deliver clutch stops.
âïž Defensive Front & Line Units
The front seven showed grit in a tighter game. While Texas won, the opponent was never blown out, which means the frontline had to keep applying pressure and making stops â and they did.
Takeaway: Some drives were extended by the opponent, but you held on. The group deserves credit for closing, though youâll want cleaner finishes.
𧥠Coaching & Game Plan
Coach Hirsch and the staff deserve credit for the results but also for how the team responded to pressure. The offense showed big-play ability. The defense held on when the opponent rallied. That said: a six-point margin when your team is capable of dominating suggests thereâs still a performance gap to close.
Takeaway: The blueprint is working, but youâll tighten execution and consistency to avoid hanging on in future games.
â Final Takeaway
Win or lose, you need wins â and you got it. This one was tougher than it should have been, but it also revealed some vital truths:
- Your offense can explode through Lockett and Endries when you let the game open up.
- Your defense has difference-makers (Smith, Bowen, Black) who show up when the opponent fights back.
- The narrative changes when your team executes consistently â the ceiling is high for this roster.
đ Areas to Improve
- Quarterback turnovers: Murphyâs 3 INTs kept this close. In big games, you canât give that away.
- Game closing: Up six near the end? You want that margin bigger, or you want stops that seal it.
- Offensive balance: While the passing game popped, the rushing output was modest. Youâll want more consistent ground yardage.
