No. 2 Texas 48, Purdue 13 – Statement Win to Open the Season
Texas didn’t just beat Purdue — they established identity. A 35-point second quarter explosion, efficient offensive balance, and a disciplined defensive performance allowed the Longhorns to control the game from kickoff to closing whistle. Below is a full player-by-player breakdown of the victory.
QUARTERBACKS
Akili Smith Jr. – SO (RS)
14/17, 201 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 220.4 rating, long 60
Texas’ new signal-caller delivered exactly what you want from a QB in his first true showcase as the starter: efficiency, poise, and explosive accuracy. Smith was nearly perfect, completing 82% of his passes and showing full command of the offense.
His 60-yard strike was the defining moment of the opening half — a perfectly placed ball that displayed arm strength and confidence. More importantly, Smith took zero sacks and kept the ball out of harm’s way.
This offense looks cleaner with him. He plays on time, trusts his reads, and distributes without panic. For a first game, this was a statement.
Marcel Reed – SR (RS)
2/4 passing for 5 yards | 3 rushes, 77 yards, 25.7 avg, 66-yard TD
Even with Smith as the starter, Reed remains a weapon. His passing snaps were limited, but his impact was massive in the run game. The 66-yard touchdown was a vintage Marcel Reed moment — reading the lane, exploding through contact, pulling away like a track athlete.
Texas will continue to use him as a specialty piece: red zone, option looks, tempo packages. Defenses hate preparing for two quarterbacks, and Reed showed why.
RUNNING BACKS
Manu Rome – FR (RS)
8 carries, 46 yards, 5.8 avg, 1 TD | 3 receptions, 93 yards, 31.0 avg, 1 TD
The freshman breakout of the game.
Rome was easily the most dynamic weapon on the field, scoring twice and proving he can be the east-west playmaker this offense lacked last year. His 93 receiving yards and 31 yards per catch show how lethal he is in space — the 60-yard catch-and-run was a highlight moment that shifted momentum.
Physical, shifty, and decisive, Rome already looks like a top-tier weapon in this rotation.
J. Simon – JR
14 carries, 32 yards | 1 TD
Simon absorbed the blue-collar workload. Purdue stacked bodies in the box early, and Simon still found ways to push piles, convert short-yardage plays, and punch in a touchdown. Not flashy — but necessary.
M. Terry III – SO
12 carries, 29 yards
Terry’s stat line doesn’t pop, yet he provided steady rotational snaps that kept the offense on schedule. He remains a reliable inside runner who keeps the playbook balanced.
B. Jackson – SO
4 carries, 27 yards, 6.8 avg, 1 TD
Efficient and violent. Jackson’s 10-yard touchdown was a powerful finish, and his short-area burst continues to flash. He may earn more touches in upcoming games.
WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS
Manu Rome (HB) – as receiver
Covered above
But worth noting: he led the team in receiving and YAC. A mismatch machine.
DeAndre McCutcheon – FR
3 receptions, 46 yards, long 43
The freshman wideout showed real promise. McCutcheon displayed crisp route-running and strong hands, including a 43-yard chunk play that helped fuel the second-quarter avalanche. His ability to separate early in his career is impressive.
J. Washington – JR
3 receptions, 38 yards
A reliable chain-mover who continues to provide stability on the perimeter. Washington worked well in the intermediate zones and gave Smith easy completions to stay ahead of schedule.
Kaliq Lockett – SO
4 receptions, 19 yards
Statistically quiet — but his role went beyond numbers. Purdue shaded coverage toward Lockett frequently, respecting his chemistry with Reed and his vertical ability. This opened the field for Rome and McCutcheon.
His presence alone changes the geometry of the defense.
T. Ausbon – FR
1 reception, 11 yards
Limited snaps but efficient. Ausbon maximized his opportunity and continues to show WR4/WR5 utility.
J. Ffrench – SO
1 reception, 5 yards, 1 TD
Ffrench’s lone catch was a touchdown — using leverage and acceleration to win inside. He’s becoming a strong red-zone complementary piece.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Unit Evaluation
- 0 sacks allowed
- 6.7 yards per play
- 41 rushes for 211 yards and 4 rushing TDs
- 17/21 passing for 206 yards and 2 TDs
This was one of the cleanest offensive line performances Texas has put together in the PML era.
Smith had clean pockets. Reed had running lanes. The backs hit the second level frequently. Protection was disciplined, communication was sharp, and the line controlled the front for four straight quarters.
If this is the standard, Texas’ offense becomes nearly unstoppable.
DEFENSE
The defense didn’t need gaudy stats to dominate — they just needed to suffocate Purdue’s rhythm, and they did exactly that. With Purdue finishing 3-for-13 on third downs, Texas repeatedly forced punts and off-schedule plays.
Zelus Hicks – SS (SO)
1 solo, 7 assists, 8 total tackles
The most active defender on the field. Hicks was everywhere — filling alleys, cleaning up intermediate routes, and stabilizing the back end. His hybrid skill set was fully on display.
A. O’Neal – LB
1 solo, 4 assists, 5 tackles, 1 TFL
O’Neal flashed terrific pursuit angles and discipline. His TFL came at a critical point in the first half, setting up a long Purdue third down that Texas later turned into points.
G. Smith – DB
1 solo, 4 assists, 5 tackles, 1 INT
The defensive play of the game came from Smith — a well-read interception that stopped Purdue’s only threatening early drive. His tackling consistency stood out.
N. King – LB
3 solo, 1 assist, 4 tackles, 1 TFL
King brought physicality in the box. His TFL helped shut down Purdue’s attempts to establish a power-run identity.
K. Phillips – DT
2 solo, 2 assists, 4 tackles
Steady interior presence who forced Purdue’s RBs to bounce runs outside. Phillips helped collapse the pocket multiple times, even if it didn’t show in sacks.
W. Mack – LB
1 solo, 3 assists, 4 tackles
Another strong second-level performer who limited Purdue’s yards after contact.
F. Walker – LB
1 solo, 2 assists, 3 tackles, 1 TFL
Walker delivered one of the best defensive snaps of the game with a timely TFL that blew up Purdue’s option look.
Dalton Brooks – SS
2 solo, 1 assist, 3 tackles
Brooks played fast, closing windows quickly and providing physical support in run defense.
C. Ross II – CB
2 solo, 1 assist, 3 tackles
Quiet box score, but consistent coverage. Purdue rarely tested him deep.
W. DeCicco – LB
2 solo, 1 assist, 3 tackles, 1 TFL
One of Texas’ most efficient defenders this week. His TFL was textbook execution — shedding the block, attacking downhill, finishing clean.
R. Hodges – LB
1 solo, 2 assists, 3 tackles
Did his job in rotational duty, showing secure tackling fundamentals.
J. Williams – CB
1 solo, 2 assists, 3 tackles
Good edge support and improved recognition from last season.
W. Roberson – DL
3 assists
Held gaps well and allowed linebackers to clean up behind him.
TEAM TAKEAWAYS
1. Efficiency and balance define this offense.
Texas went 17/21 through the air and rushed for over 200 yards. This is the identity you want.
2. The defense didn’t need sacks — they needed control.
They won first down, dictated third downs, and forced Purdue into desperation mode early.
3. Young weapons emerged in a big way.
Manu Rome, McCutcheon, and Ffrench showed that this roster is deeper than last season.
4. Akili Smith Jr. might be the guy.
Calm. Efficient. Explosive when needed. Zero mistakes.
5. This team looks like a legitimate No. 2 contender.
Texas checked every box of an elite program.
