As Texas faced a 15-point deficit with just over three minutes left in the third quarter, a stroke of luck needed to happen.
On a 3rd-and-10, redshirt senior Georgia quarterback Carson Beck spun a pass right into the hands of Texas senior defensive back Jahdae Barron, who returned the ball for 36 yards right into the red zone.
But a pass interference call on the play tested the tempers of not only head coach Steve Sarkisian, but the entire Longhorn student section. Empty water bottles and crumpled beer cans were sent flying onto the field, causing Sarkisian to step in and urge students to stop.
It was a scene unlike any other inside Darrell K. Royal Stadium, and the result was arguably even more interesting.
“I was literally just asking the official what he saw to warrant a DPI. And then at that moment, the trash came on the field,” Sarkisian said. “I understand frustration. We all were frustrated in the moment. But I know we can be better than that.”
The unusual rally to reverse the call, although most likely resulting in a fine for the University, worked in Texas’ favor. Referees announced that after further discussion and without officially reviewing the play Barron’s contact was legal, awarding him the interception and putting Texas within the Georgia 10-yard line.
Junior quarterback Quinn Ewers would follow up by slinging a pass up the middle to junior running back Jaydon Blue, who slipped into the endzone to put the Longhorns within eight points of the Bulldogs.
However, the amount of good fortune that Texas was given throughout the night wasn’t capitalized on by the Longhorns. On the other hand, Georgia took full advantage of the opportunities it was given, ultimately leading the Bulldogs to a 30-15 win.
Texas caught not one, but two interceptions within the first quarter alone, and failed to score both times. The first time around, Texas’ starting quarterback couldn’t gain any offensive traction, not even moving the ball within field goal range. The second pick, also caught by Barron, started a drive that would ultimately end in Ewers getting sacked for a loss of 15 yards and a forced fumble, recovered by Georgia at the Texas 13-yard line.
The Bulldogs took that first turnover and scored in three plays, taking an early lead from a rushing touchdown by junior running back Trevor Etienne.
Georgia would gain its second turnover from an interception thrown by Ewers to junior cornerback Daylen Everette to the Texas 34-yard line in the second quarter. Beck would go on to complete two passes before Etienne slipped into the end zone once again.
The Longhorns suffered another sack and forced fumble combination when redshirt freshman backup quarterback Arch Manning made a brief appearance right before halftime. Almost as expected, Georgia recovered the ball and managed to knock in a 44-yard field goal attempt.
In total, Georgia gained 17 points from three fumble recoveries and one interception while Texas recorded seven from three interceptions.
“We’re human. Nobody’s perfect,” Barron said. “Hats off to Georgia for just executing when we made mistakes.”
Texas won’t have it any easier next weekend against a Vanderbilt team that was also able to use turnovers to its advantage in its stunning upset win over Alabama in week five.
