Overview
Head coach Cody Hirsch and the #3 Texas Longhorns left no doubt in their Week 6 statement win over #12 Ole Miss, cruising to a 56–17 victory in Austin. From the opening drive to the final whistle, Texas controlled every facet of the game — efficient through the air, balanced on the ground, and punishing on defense.
The Longhorns piled up 567 yards of total offense on just 59 plays (an eye-popping 9.6 yards per play) while forcing two interceptions defensively. Here’s a full breakdown of player-by-player performances in the team’s most complete outing of the season.
OFFENSE
QB Maalik Murphy
Stats: 20/31, 401 YDS, 6 TD, 2 INT; 2 CAR, 18 YDS
Murphy was surgical for most of the afternoon. His decision-making was sharp, and his confidence in the pocket was palpable. Six touchdown passes highlight his control of Hirsch’s offense — spreading the ball to eight different targets. The two interceptions came on aggressive downfield shots, but even those didn’t slow the rhythm of the passing game.
Murphy’s ability to command pre-snap reads and hit deep timing routes was on full display, especially on a 72-yard bomb to Kaliq Lockett that broke the game open in the second quarter.
Grade: A
Elite command, explosive accuracy, and leadership in a statement win.
HB CJ Baxter
Stats: 15 CAR, 92 YDS (6.1 AVG); 2 REC, 12 YDS
Baxter ran with vision and purpose, consistently falling forward and wearing down the Rebels’ front. His physicality between the tackles set the tone early, and though he didn’t find the end zone, his runs kept the offense on schedule. He also added timely blocks in pass protection to give Murphy clean throwing lanes.
Grade: A-
Workhorse effort that grounded the offense’s balance.
WR Kaliq Lockett
Stats: 3 REC, 137 YDS, 1 TD (Long 72 YDS)
The sophomore deep threat was electric, turning limited targets into massive production. His 72-yard touchdown showed his elite separation speed and chemistry with Murphy on vertical routes. Despite one drop, Lockett’s performance was pure efficiency — he averaged 45.7 yards per catch.
Grade: A
Explosive, efficient, and the ultimate downfield weapon.
WR Ryan Wingo
Stats: 5 REC, 107 YDS, 2 TD
Wingo’s route running and red-zone precision were exceptional. His two touchdowns came on perfectly timed curls and crossers, showing off his strong hands and physicality through contact. Wingo continues to be Murphy’s most dependable short-to-intermediate option.
Grade: A
Dependable, physical, and clutch in the red zone.
WR Jontay Frfrench
Stats (Frfrench): 4 REC, 91 YDS, 2 TD
Frfrench was a spark plug. His ability to create after the catch was huge — 39 yards after contact highlighted how dangerous he is in open space. His 67-yard touchdown was a statement play that put the game out of reach.
Grade: A
Dynamic playmaker — an emerging weapon in the Longhorns’ receiver rotation.
TE Jack Endries
Stats: 2 REC, 30 YDS
Quietly reliable, Endries helped move the chains twice on crucial third downs. His blocking on the edge in outside zone plays helped spring several of Baxter’s runs.
Grade: B+
Steady and efficient in both phases.
Offensive Line
No sacks allowed. The protection was near perfect, giving Murphy all day to survey the field. The interior trio handled stunts and blitzes cleanly, while tackles sealed edges consistently. Their discipline was a defining factor in the offense’s rhythm.
Grade: A+
Dominant protection and controlled physicality up front.
DEFENSE
SS Jonah Williams
Stats: 11 TKL (3 SOLO, 8 AST)
Williams was all over the field, flying downhill in run support and cleaning up tackles in space. His anticipation and angles were elite, setting the tone for a disciplined secondary that limited big plays.
Grade: A
The defense’s heartbeat — sideline-to-sideline impact.
LB Liona Lefau
Stats: 10 TKL (3 SOLO), 3 TFL
Liufau was relentless in the middle, living in the backfield and controlling gaps. His physicality against the run forced Ole Miss into long passing downs. Three tackles for loss underline his disruptive day.
Grade: A+
The enforcer — dominant presence against both the run and screen game.
CB Eli Bowen / CB Kobe Black
Stats: Bowen – 8 TKL, 2 TFL | Black – 8 TKL, 1 TFL
Both corners were aggressive in coverage and strong against the run. Bowen’s physical tackling and Black’s consistency on the boundary kept Ole Miss’ passing attack from finding rhythm outside.
Grade: A-
Tough, physical, and fundamentally sound on the perimeter.
FS Derek Williams Jr.
Stats: 7 TKL, 1 INT
Williams had one of the defensive highlights of the day, jumping a crossing route for a 25-yard interception return. His range and closing speed gave the Rebels’ quarterback problems all game long.
Grade: A
Playmaking safety presence that changes momentum.
DE Zina Umeozulu
Stats (Umeozulu): 6 TKL, 3 TFL
Umeozulu was a force off the edge — his speed rushes collapsed the pocket repeatedly. Collins and the interior rotation kept the run lanes clogged and the quarterback uncomfortable.
Grade: A
Relentless pressure and disciplined pursuit.
SPECIAL TEAMS
While the offense did most of the heavy lifting, the special teams were clean. No major errors, strong coverage units, and efficient field positioning complemented the dominant team effort.
Grade: B+
TEAM TAKEAWAYS
- Offensive MVP: QB Maalik Murphy
- Defensive MVP: LB Liona Lefau
- Breakout Player: WR Jontay Frfrench
- Unsung Hero: SS Jonah Williams
Final Thoughts
This was the type of performance that defines contenders. Texas looked like a complete, championship-caliber team — disciplined, explosive, and deep across every position group. Coach Hirsch’s offense continues to evolve into a high-efficiency juggernaut, and the defense, led by Liufau and Williams, plays with a punishing edge.
If the Longhorns can maintain this level of focus, they’re well on their way to another playoff push — and possibly a national title run.
