By PML College Insider | Austin, TX
The No. 3 Texas Longhorns opened their PML College Football campaign with authority, delivering a 28–0 shutout over Texas State in a game that showcased balance, discipline, and the deep talent on Coach Cody Hirsch’s roster.
From Maalik Murphy’s dual-threat efficiency to a defense that suffocated its opponent at every level, this was a statement victory for a program that looks poised to make a national run.
🧠 QB Maalik Murphy — Command, Confidence, and Control
Stat line: 14-of-28, 184 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT | 7 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD
Murphy’s performance was everything you want from a veteran signal-caller: patient, poised, and confident in his reads. He controlled the pace early, taking calculated shots downfield and executing in the red zone. His 37-yard scramble in the second quarter broke the game open and silenced any doubts about his mobility.
The lone interception came on a deep shot that tested the boundary — a learning rep, not a regression.
Coach Hirsch: “Maalik’s control of the offense is what stood out. He played mature football and didn’t force the issue. That’s leadership.”
Grade: A- — Controlled aggression, smart decisions, three total TDs.
🐂 HB CJ Baxter — The Bruiser Back in Form
Stat line: 22 carries, 95 yards (4.3 AVG)
Baxter ran with a purpose. The redshirt sophomore set the physical tone early, lowering his pads through contact and wearing down the defense with every carry. His vision between the tackles allowed the Longhorns to stay on schedule, and his one-cut style perfectly complemented the offense’s rhythm.
Grade: A — Steady, efficient, and foundational to the offense’s identity.
⚡ WR Kaliq Lockett — Precision in Motion
Stat line: 5 rec, 78 yards (15.6 AVG)
Lockett was the engine of the passing attack, consistently finding soft spots in coverage and making plays after the catch. His route tree was on full display — slants, curls, deep outs — and each came with NFL-caliber polish.
When Murphy needed a big gain, Lockett was the first read.
Grade: A — Reliable, explosive, and already playing like a true WR1.
🎯 WR Johntay French — Steady and Sharp
Stat line: 4 rec, 66 yards, 1 TD
French delivered when it mattered most. His red-zone touchdown showed crisp route execution and strong hands through contact. More importantly, his timing with Murphy made the offense hum on third downs.
Murphy on French: “He’s money. The timing, the trust — that’s all built from work in practice.”
Grade: A — Quietly lethal, chain-mover, tone-setter.
💪 EDGE Logan Fano — Unblockable Force
Stat line: 8 tackles, 4 TFL, 2.5 sacks
Logan Fano terrorized Texas State from start to finish. His explosiveness off the snap and hand technique overwhelmed both tackles. He lived in the backfield, collapsing pockets and killing drives before they could develop.
Coach Hirsch: “Logan plays with a relentlessness that defines our defense. He’s a leader by effort.”
Grade: A+ — Three words: violent, disciplined, dominant.
🔥 LB Ty’Anthony Smith — Field General of the Defense
Stat line: 7 tackles, 1 TFL
Ty’Anthony Smith controlled the middle of the field like a conductor leading an orchestra. His sideline-to-sideline range and pre-snap communication kept the defense aligned. Whether filling lanes or covering flats, he was consistently in position and rarely missed a tackle.
Defensive Coordinator: “Ty’Anthony brings a calming presence — he gets everyone set and then makes the play himself.”
Grade: A — Smart, vocal, and physically imposing in space.
🧱 CB Kobe Black — The Lockdown Presence
Stat line: 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 0.5 sack
Kobe Black set the tone in the secondary. Not only did he blanket receivers, but he also stepped up in run support, finishing with eight tackles and half a sack on a corner blitz. His physicality at the line and confidence in press coverage sent a message — Texas corners aren’t backing down from anyone.
Grade: A — Versatile, fearless, and physical — the complete modern corner.
💥 CB Derek Williams Jr. — Playmaker and Closer
Stat line: 3 tackles, 1 INT (22 yards)**
Williams capped the shutout with a beautiful interception, baiting the quarterback into a late throw and jumping the route for a 22-yard return. His instincts and ball skills continue to shine as he anchors a deep secondary full of NFL-level talent.
Grade: A — The opportunist every elite defense needs.
⚔️ Offensive Line — The Unsung Foundation
Texas’ offensive front dominated all evening, paving the way for 167 rushing yards and allowing zero sacks. From right tackle to center, the protection was cohesive and physical. Guard-tackle combo pulls opened huge holes for Baxter, and the pass protection gave Murphy clean throwing lanes.
Grade: A+ — Physicality, discipline, and unity — the Hirsch blueprint.
🧊 Defense — Pure Suffocation
Totals: 123 total yards allowed | 22 rush yards | 101 pass yards | 1-for-16 on third down
This defense didn’t bend — it dominated. Texas State averaged 2.2 yards per play, and never once crossed the Texas 30. From Fano’s edge pressure to Smith’s communication and Kobe Black’s physicality, this was a complete performance.
Grade: A+ — Championship-caliber execution in Week 1.
🧩 Coaching Staff — Balanced and Ruthless
Coach Cody Hirsch and his staff deserve immense credit for the preparation. The offense was balanced, the defense perfectly schemed, and the adjustments crisp. The team’s composure — even when drives stalled — spoke volumes about the leadership in Austin.
Coach Hirsch postgame: “We’re chasing consistency, not comfort. The score’s nice, but it’s how we got there that matters.”
Grade: A+ — Prepared, precise, and professional.
Final Takeaway: Texas Sends a Message
This wasn’t just a win — it was a warning. The Longhorns’ 28-0 dismantling of Texas State reminded the country that Texas is not only back, but better.
From Maalik Murphy’s controlled leadership, to Ty’Anthony Smith’s defensive command, to Logan Fano’s havoc off the edge, Coach Hirsch’s Longhorns played like a team built for January.
“We talk about the standard every day,” Hirsch said. “Tonight, we lived it. Next week, we raise it.”
The chase for perfection in Austin has officially begun.
