Texas 49 – Nebraska 31 | A Dynasty Is Born in Austin
In the biggest game of the season, under the brightest lights, your Texas Longhorns delivered a complete, poised, and explosive performance to defeat the No. 3 Nebraska Cornhuskers and capture the National Championship.
This wasn’t just a win—it was a final statement from a battle-tested, disciplined, star-powered roster that rose to the moment one player at a time. Below is the full player-by-player evaluation of the national title victory.
QUARTERBACK
Maalik Murphy — 30/39, 349 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT (76%)
In his final game as a Longhorn, Murphy delivered a masterpiece.
- Efficient: 76% completion rate in a championship game.
- Explosive: 74-yard touchdown strike that electrified the offense.
- Calm and surgical: Perfect ball placement on timing routes, crossers, and red-zone concepts.
- Leadership: After the lone interception, he answered with a touchdown drive—true senior composure.
Murphy was everything a championship QB must be: confident, gutsy, and unshakable. He leaves Texas a champion.
Verdict: Championship MVP-level performance.
RUNNING BACKS
CJ Baxter — 17 carries, 111 yards (6.5 YPC), 1 TD
Nebraska couldn’t handle him.
- 26 yards after contact, including multiple broken tackles
- 19-yard long run that jump-started a key second-half drive
- Excellent ball security and patience
- Set the tone early and closed the game late
Baxter imposed his will in the trenches and gave Texas the offensive balance necessary to control the flow of the game.
Verdict: The heartbeat of the offense.
M. Terry III — 2 carries, 2 yards / 1 rec, 12 yards
Small involvement, but a key role player.
- Moved the chains with a tough 12-yard catch
- Provided clean blitz pickups in passing sets
Verdict: Reliable depth and situational value.
WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS
Ryan Wingo — 10 receptions, 145 yards, 2 TD
A legendary championship performance.
- 59 yards after catch
- 74-yard touchdown bomb—the highlight of the game
- Dominated Nebraska’s corners with physicality and acceleration
- Consistently found soft spots in zone and beat press with ease
Wingo was unguardable all night and cemented himself as the best receiver on the field.
Verdict: Big-game superstar.
J. Endries — 6 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD
Texas’ do-it-all weapon.
- 17.0 yards per catch
- 73 RAC yards
- Found seams and deep crossers throughout the night
- Toe-tap touchdown in the red zone was textbook execution
Endries’ versatility made Nebraska’s linebackers and safeties miserable.
Verdict: Elite tight end play—game-changing impact.
Jaime Ffrench — 9 receptions, 56 yards, 1 TD
Mr. Reliable.
- Short-yardage chain mover
- 31 yards after catch
- TD catch off a crisp slant route in the red zone
- Provided Murphy with a steady, dependable safety valve
Ffrench’s consistency took pressure off Wingo, helping balance the passing attack.
Verdict: A possession receiver with championship poise.
CJ Baxter (Receiving) — 2 receptions, 20 yards
Strong contributions as an outlet option.
- 6.5 RAC average
- Helped neutralize Nebraska’s blitz packages
D. McCutcheon — 1 rec, 9 yards
Made the most of his target with a physical catch in traffic.
Kaliq Lockett — 1 rec, 5 yards
Provided spacing and key perimeter blocking.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Texas’ O-line played one of its best games of the season under the brightest lights.
- Zero sacks allowed on Murphy
- Consistent pocket integrity
- Created lanes for Baxter to average 6.5 YPC
- Dominated Nebraska’s front seven in the second half
Their toughness and discipline anchored the entire offensive explosion.
Verdict: The unsung heroes of the championship.
DEFENSE
Nebraska’s offense pushed, but Texas answered in the most important situations. The unit bent—but never broke. Multiple defenders delivered championship-level performances.
Shane McOliver — 13 tackles (5 solo)
Once again, the senior linebacker showed why he’s the soul of this defense.
- Sideline-to-sideline influence
- Perfect pursuit angles
- Cleaned up every gap left open
Verdict: The general of the defense.
Derek Williams Jr. — 12 tackles
An absolute tackling machine on the back end.
- Bailed out the defense on multiple explosive Nebraska plays
- Played with unmatched intensity and footwork
- Key open-field stops that prevented touchdowns
Verdict: Championship safety. One of the biggest reasons Texas controlled the game.
E. Bowen — 9 tackles / 1 INT (44-yard return)
A game-changing playmaker.
- The 44-yard interception return flipped momentum in the second quarter
- Excellent vision and break on the ball
- Steady tackling throughout
Verdict: Spark plug of the secondary.
K. Black — 8 tackles
Physical, smart, and consistent.
- Clean in run fits
- Great underneath coverage discipline
J. Williams — 6 tackles
High-motor performance with multiple key open-field stops.
L. Lefau — 5 tackles / 1 TFL / 1 sack
Explosive linebacker play.
- First-half sack set the tone
- Strong interior pressure presence
K. Norman — 4 tackles / 1 TFL
Stepped up on edge-setting responsibilities.
X. Fils-Aime — 4 tackles
Reliable in pursuit, kept everything outside the numbers contained.
R. Niblett — 2 tackles
Quality rotational snaps.
C. Fite — 2 tackles
Filled gaps effectively and played discipline technique.
FINAL VERDICT: TEXAS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
This game showcased everything that makes your Longhorns elite:
- Championship QB play
- A dominant RB1
- The best WR in the country in Ryan Wingo
- A deep, versatile receiving corps
- A tough, physical offensive line
- Defensive leaders who stepped up in clutch moments
Texas didn’t just win the national title—they finished the season as an undeniable powerhouse, a team that rose to every moment and delivered when it mattered most.
Coach Cody Hirsch and the Longhorns are National Champions.
