Week 1 — Texas 55, Kent State 0
PML College Football
The #1 Texas Longhorns opened their season with a statement: complete, wire-to-wire authority in all three phases. Every unit contributed. Every star delivered. And the depth pieces showed why this roster is built to survive the grind of a championship chase.
Below is a complete position-by-position, player-by-player breakdown of how your team performed.
QUARTERBACKS
Maalik Murphy – SR (RS)
Stats: 18/26, 272 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT | 69% | Long 80
Grade: A+
This was Maalik Murphy at his most polished.
He was decisive, patient, and deadly accurate. The five touchdown passes weren’t just stat-padding — they were layered throws that showcased his growth as a true veteran leader.
- Hit Ryan Wingo in stride for an electric 80-yard strike
- Showed full command in the RPO game
- Manipulated safeties, attacked leverage, and made clean pre-snap reads
- Used mobility effectively with 24 rushing yards
Murphy was calm, clean, and efficient — the textbook definition of a quarterback who understands the offense inside out.
T. Owens – Freshman
1 pass attempt — incomplete
Grade: Incomplete
Saw minimal action late. Didn’t get enough snaps for real evaluation, but your staff likes his poise.
RUNNING BACKS
CJ Baxter – SO (RS)
Stats: 13 carries, 80 yards, 2 TD | 6.2 YPC
Grade: A
Baxter was explosive and authoritative. He ran with balance, vision, and the bruising finesse that makes him special.
- Excellent burst through interior lanes
- Elite contact balance shown with 3 broken tackles
- A 20-yard TD run that shredded Kent State’s second level
He looks like a future Doak Walker candidate.
M. Terry III – FR
Stats: 2 carries, 51 yards | Long 41
Grade: A-
Freshman showed electric explosiveness. His 41-yard run was one of the highlights of the night. He’s a change-of-pace weapon with home-run ability.
C. Clark – FR
Stats: 9 carries, 37 yards | 4.1 YPC**
Grade: B
Good downhill running. Clean footwork. Reliable in short yardage.
Maalik Murphy (as runner)
3 carries, 24 yards
Grade: B+
Used mobility to extend drives and keep the defense honest.
WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS
Ryan Wingo – JR
Stats: 3 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD | 36.7 YPC | Long 80
Grade: A+
The WR1 was unstoppable.
Wingo’s speed and stride length terrorized Kent State’s secondary.
- Burned CB on deep post for an 80-yard TD
- Dominated RAC with 39 yards after the catch
- Showed development in route sharpness
Wingo looks like a future 1st-round PML draft pick.
J. Ffrench – FR
Stats: 4 catches, 55 yards, 2 TD
Grade: A
The freshman is already showing superstar upside.
Strong hands, great leverage, compact acceleration — and two red-zone touchdowns.
He’s the perfect WR2-in-waiting.
K. Lockett – SO
Stats: 4 catches, 51 yards, 2 TD
Grade: A
Lockett ate in the intermediate game.
Reliable, tough, timely — and dangerous after the catch.
Your receiving room is loaded, and Lockett is a major reason why.
CJ Baxter (as receiver)
2 catches, 17 yards
Grade: B
Solid safety-valve work.
Tight Ends – Terry III / Endries / Washington
Combined: 3 catches, 22 yards
Grade: B
Limited usage because the WRs dominated. They blocked well and executed in space.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The OL allowed 0 sacks and paved the way for 7.1 YPC as a team.
Grade: A
- Clean pockets
- Strong combo blocking
- Excellent communication
- Zero mental errors
This is a championship-caliber trench unit.
DEFENSE
The defense pitched a shutout, allowing only 190 total yards and forcing constant pressure.
Jonah Williams – SS (SO)
Stats: 2 solo, 5 assists, 7 total, 1 TFL
Grade: A
Your most active defender.
Jonah was everywhere — downhill, physical, decisive, and clean in space. Excellent performance.
D. Williams Jr. – LB
Stats: 3 solo, 4 assists, 7 total, 1 TFL
Grade: A-
Reliable tackler. Good pursuit angles. Strong in traffic.
E. Bowen – S
Stats: 3 solo, 2 assists, 5 total
Grade: B+
Played fast, trusted his instincts, and never let anything break deep.
F. Walker – LB
Stats: 2 solo, 3 assists, 5 total, 1 TFL
Grade: B+
Clean reads, disciplined flow, and consistent finishing.
L. Lefau – LB
Stats: 2 solo, 2 assists, 4 total, 1 TFL
Grade: B
Steady and physical at the point of attack.
L. Fano – EDGE
Stats: 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL
Grade: A
The most impactful pass rusher of the game.
Lived in the backfield and set the tone off the edge. A breakout performance.
X. Filsaime, K. Black, J. Johnson-Rubell
Combined: 9 total tackles
Grade: B
Secure tackling, disciplined zone work, good communication.
Rotational DTs & DEs
Consistently won at the line of scrimmage and squeezed Kent State into checkdowns.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- No missed assignments
- Good tackling on coverage
- Solid return decisions
Grade: A
OVERALL TEAM GRADE: A+
Texas looked like the #1 team in the nation.
Efficient offense.
Violent defense.
Locked-in coaching.
Roster depth on full display.
This was the exact type of performance title-winning teams open seasons with.
