Player-by-Player Breakdown
Final: Texas 26, Missouri 20
Texas survived a tense fourth-quarter push from Missouri and leaned on timely quarterback play, explosive receiving, and just enough defensive disruption to close the door late. The Longhorns controlled much of the flow early, weathered a scoreless third quarter, and answered when the Tigers made their run.
Below is a full player-by-player evaluation from the win.
Quarterbacks
Marcel Reed (QB, SR)
21/38, 221 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT | 10 rushes, 3 yards
Reed delivered one of his most composed performances of the season. While Missouri pressured him often (4 sacks), he consistently pushed the ball downfield and trusted his playmakers. His two touchdown passes came in critical moments and his ability to avoid turnovers was arguably the difference in a one-score game.
Even when the run game stalled, Reed stayed aggressive, finishing with a strong 121.4 passer rating. The stat line doesn’t fully show it, but Reed’s command of the offense late helped Texas answer Missouri’s fourth-quarter surge.
Grade: A-
Andrew Smith Jr.
7/15, 72 yards, 1 INT
Smith saw limited action and struggled to find rhythm. His interception stalled momentum, and Texas quickly leaned back on Reed. This outing reinforced the gap between starter and backup in game control and decision-making.
Grade: C-
Running Backs
Manu Rome (HB, FR)
6 carries, 34 yards (5.7 avg)
4 receptions, 77 yards, TD
Rome was Texas’ most versatile offensive weapon outside of the quarterback. While carries were limited, he maximized every touch, especially in the passing game where he broke Missouri’s coverage repeatedly.
His receiving touchdown and ability to generate yards after contact gave Texas explosive plays when the offense needed a spark. Rome’s role continues to grow, and his dual-threat ability is becoming essential.
Grade: A
J. Simon
6 carries, 33 yards
2 receptions, 3 yards
Simon provided steady rotational snaps and showed physical downhill running, but didn’t generate explosive gains. He did his job in keeping the offense balanced early.
Grade: B-
Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
Kaliq Lockett (WR, JR)
12 receptions, 141 yards, TD
Lockett was the engine of the Texas passing attack. Missouri simply had no answer for him in space, and Reed repeatedly trusted him in critical situations.
Despite three drops, Lockett consistently separated, turned short catches into chunk gains, and capped his night with a touchdown. His 88 yards after the catch tell the story — this was a star performance.
Grade: A+
Manu Rome (as receiver)
Already mentioned above, but worth repeating — Rome’s receiving impact stretched Missouri’s defense horizontally and vertically.
J. French
5 receptions, 45 yards
French played a reliable complementary role, working underneath zones and moving the chains. While he didn’t find the end zone, his catches helped sustain multiple scoring drives.
Grade: B
D. McCutcheon
4 receptions, 16 yards
McCutcheon had limited production but served as a possession outlet. His routes helped occupy defenders and opened space for others.
Grade: C+
T. Ausbon
2 receptions, 13 yards
Minimal involvement, but made his catches when targeted.
Grade: C
Defensive Standouts
Xavier Filsaime (FS, SR)
7 tackles, INT
Filsaime was everywhere. His interception was one of the game’s biggest momentum swings, stopping Missouri from extending a drive and setting Texas up with favorable field position.
He played with discipline on the back end and cleaned up multiple broken plays.
Grade: A
Charles Ross II
5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack
Ross was Texas’ most disruptive pass rusher. His sack and tackles for loss helped stall Missouri drives early and forced the Tigers into long-yardage situations.
Grade: A-
Kobe Black
5 tackles, 1 deflection
Black was solid in coverage and didn’t allow anything explosive. His physicality at the line helped disrupt timing routes.
Grade: B+
Dalton Brooks
4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 deflection
Brooks flashed downhill instincts and played aggressively in run support. His presence was felt even when Missouri tried to attack the middle late.
Grade: B
Z. Umeozulu
4 tackles, 2 TFL
Strong edge discipline and consistent pressure against the run. One of the unsung contributors defensively.
Grade: B
M. Charles
3 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack
Charles made the most of his snaps, adding interior pressure and helping close lanes in key moments.
Grade: B
Team Takeaways
- Passing game carried the offense when the run game struggled
- Lockett + Rome is becoming one of the most dangerous duos in the league
- Defense bent late but made timely plays when Missouri threatened
- Reed’s mistake-free performance was the difference in a tight game
Final Word
Texas didn’t dominate wire-to-wire, but championship-level teams find ways to win games like this. Against a Missouri team that refused to go away, the Longhorns relied on leadership, explosiveness, and situational defense to secure a gritty 26–20 victory.
