**TEXAS LONGHORNS PLAYER-BY-PLAYER EVALUATION
Week 2 vs. Oregon — A Statement Bounce-Back Win**
Coming off a 62–52 shootout loss to Ohio State, the Texas Longhorns entered Week 2 against Oregon with urgency—not panic. The mission was simple: clean up turnovers, reestablish physicality, and let the roster’s elite depth shine. The result was exactly what a championship-caliber response should look like. Texas handled Oregon with poise, balance, and toughness, stacking one of its most complete performances early in the Cody Hirsch era.
Below is the full breakdown of every major contributor.
QUARTERBACKS
Akili Smith Jr. — 9/12, 66 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT | 75% completion | 148.6 rating
This was not the fireworks show of Week 1—and that was the point.
Smith Jr. operated within structure, protected the football, and delivered efficient, turnover-free football. His 75% completion rate was his highest in a Texas uniform, showing elevated rhythm and connection with the quick game plan. Though the yardage total was modest, the offense moved when he was on the field, and his red-zone touchdown capped a critical early scoring drive.
A clean, composed, leader-like outing.
Marcel Reed — 13/21, 141 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT | 61% completion
Reed’s day was the definition of high-variance football.
Positives:
- Two touchdown throws, both with confident placement.
- Flashed mobility and creativity, extending plays and attacking outside structure.
- Was at his best on third-and-medium situations.
Areas needing improvement:
- The three interceptions were momentum killers—two were late throws to the sideline, one was a misread in quarters coverage.
- Needs more consistency when shifting from first read to secondary reads.
Still, the scoring production matters. Reed helped Texas pull away when needed.
RUNNING BACKS
Bo Jackson — 14 carries, 64 yards (4.6 avg), 1 TD | 1 catch, 20 yards
Texas’ offensive tone-setter.
Jackson ran behind his pads all night, breaking five tackles and logging 36 yards after contact. His vision improved markedly from Week 1, especially on counter and inside zone. The 21-yard long run was one of Texas’ most physical plays of the game.
The receiving touchdown—20 yards on a perfectly executed leak route—was a bonus that showcased his evolving versatility.
A true RB1 performance.
Marcel Reed (rushing) — 3 carries, 44 yards
Explosive and opportunistic.
Reed’s 23-yard QB keep was one of the longest plays of the night and came at a crucial juncture. Oregon had no answer for his change-of-pace element.
Manu Rome — 7 carries, 29 yards | 1 catch, 4 yards
A quieter game after his Week 1 explosion, but still efficient.
Rome earned tough yards, broke tackles, and continued to show shifty value on inside runs. Oregon schemed heavily to stop him after the 246-yard receiving showcase he put up against Ohio State, but his presence opened windows for the passing game.
Jaydon Simon — 2 carries, 15 yards
Maximized limited touches.
His 12-yard burst showed excellent lane identification and burst.
M. Terry III — 3 carries, 7 yards
Rotation role but contributed well in short-yardage looks. His lone 11-yard run came off a broken tackle and was one of his best runs as a Longhorn.
RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS
Jordan Washington — 4 catches, 52 yards
Washington was the stabilizer for the passing game.
He repeatedly won on sit routes, crossers, and seam bends, giving both QBs a reliable middle-of-the-field presence. His RAC ability (15 YAC) added efficiency to otherwise basic passing concepts. Strong day from the senior tight end.
J. Ffrench — 4 catches, 40 yards
Ffrench continued his climb toward being the offense’s most versatile WR.
He found soft spots in Oregon’s zone, took smart angles after the catch, and provided multiple chain-moving plays. His reliability is becoming a central part of the offense.
DeAndre McCutcheon — 4 catches, 39 yards
McCutcheon layered the field well, winning on outs and digs while adding 24 RAC yards. He has carved out the WR3 role with consistency—not flash—and that’s invaluable in a two-QB system.
Kaliq Lockett — 5 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD
A strong rebound game after Week 1.
Lockett’s touchdown was textbook execution: sharp stem, leverage win, and body control at the catch point. Oregon couldn’t smother him underneath, and he consistently moved the chains.
Bo Jackson — 1 catch, 20 yards, 1 TD
Perfect design + perfect finish. The leak route touchdown was arguably Texas’ most well-executed play-action moment of the day.
T. Ausbon — 2 catches, 12 yards, 1 TD
Efficient red-zone weaponry. Ausbon’s touchdown was a physical, sure-handed finish that capped a rhythm drive.
Jaydon Simon — 1 catch, 4 yards
Minimal receiving role but executed assignments well.
DEFENSE
Texas’ defense showed the response Coach Hirsch demanded after allowing 62 points in Week 1.
Ty’Anthony Smith — 12 tackles, 1 TFL
This was a captain-level performance.
Smith was everywhere—scraping, filling, shedding blocks, and delivering clean stops. His 12 tackles led the team and set the tone for a defense that played with more discipline and communication.
A true WILL linebacker takeover.
Xavier Filsaime — 6 tackles, 1 INT
Your senior leader struck again.
Filsaime’s interception was a critical momentum swing, jumping a late-breaking route and returning it 43 yards. His range and intelligence were on full display.
He is the heartbeat of the secondary.
Kobe Black — 6 tackles
Quiet but solid. Oregon avoided attacking him vertically, opting for quick game and RPOs. His tackling in space was much cleaner than Week 1.
Jonah Williams — 6 tackles
Another high-effort game for Williams, who continues to diagnose quickly and fit the run with reliability.
Dalton Brooks — 5 tackles, 1 INT (43-yard return)
Brooks delivered one of the game’s biggest highlights with his interception and long return.
He played fast, communicated well in split-field coverages, and is emerging as a major playmaker on the back end.
C. Ross II — 5 tackles
Heavy hitting, strong lane discipline, and no wasted steps. Ross continues to be one of the most consistent players on the roster.
Colton Vasek — 4 tackles, 2 sacks
This was a breakout game.
Vasek was a terror off the edge—winning with speed, counter moves, and relentless pursuit. His two sacks were momentum killers that forced Oregon behind the sticks.
Exactly what Texas needed.
K. Phillips — 4 tackles
Steady rotational work with improved angles and reaction time.
Aaron O’Neal — 3 tackles
Strong tackling game, especially on perimeter plays.
F. Walker — 3 tackles
High-effort performance with clean fits.
J. Terry — 3 tackles, 1 TFL
Good push in the trenches and strong interior disruption.
C. Rucker — 2 tackles
Did his job on early downs and edge containment.
A. Cloud — 2 tackles
Quiet but assignment-sound.
OVERVIEW
Offense:
- Balanced attack
- Efficient QB play despite turnovers
- Jackson + Washington + Lockett provided consistent production
- Rome was contained but still effective
Defense:
- Massive improvement from Week 1
- Two interceptions
- Vasek breakout pass-rush performance
- Filsaime + Brooks delivered momentum plays
Bottom Line:
Texas responded like a top-tier program should—physical, focused, and opportunistic. Week 1 exposed issues; Week 2 showed how quickly this roster can correct them. The Longhorns are stabilizing, maturing, and building toward another playoff run.
