The University of Texas is home to the highest-rated defense in all of college football for a reason.
For the first time since its season opener, the Texas secondary kept its opponent out of the endzone for the entire first half, only giving up its first touchdown late in the third quarter.
Defensive vigilance proved to be the catalyst for an explosive offensive run from Texas in its 49-17 win over Florida on Saturday, highlighted by a forced fumble and two passes intercepted, all three turned into touchdowns.
The Longhorns’ secondary allowed just 43 yards of offense in the first quarter, with sophomore linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. forcing a fumble at the Florida 20-yard line that was recovered and returned by junior edge Trey Moore. On the other side of the field, junior quarterback Quinn Ewers made sure he did his part in transforming turnovers into scoring success and threw a touchdown pass to senior tight end Gunnar Helm on the following drive.
This wasn’t the first scoring opportunity that had been set up thanks to Moore’s assistance. On the previous drive, Moore announced himself with back-to-back tackles for loss that led to a turnover on downs before Texas recorded its first touchdown.
Although Moore’s performance wasn’t flaunted on the stat sheet, as he registered four total tackles, he said that’s never his focus.
“I’m not too much worried about stats, [I’m] just trying to play it strong as a defense as a whole,” Moore said. “So as long as we’re playing the way we play and can win games, that’s really the most important thing to me.”
With less than two minutes left in a stalemate second quarter, senior defensive lineman Alfred Collins batted away a pass that fell right into the arms of freshman linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith for the Gators’ first interception. The Texas offense answered by moving the ball downfield from the Florida 45-yard line into the endzone in just four plays.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian praised Moore and Collins for their exceptional attack at the defensive line. Moore reiterated the importance of his teammates’ presence, even those such as senior defensive lineman Vernon Broughton, who was suspended from the first half.
“[Alfred Collins] is a beast. He sets the tone for the d-line, him and Vernon [Broughton], and it’s huge to have those guys be able to hold up the front and just let the guys around them make plays,” Moore said.
Despite the Gators having nearly double the amount of rushing attempts as Texas in the first half, none of them could make it through a Longhorn defense that allowed an average of five yards per play.
Coming out after halftime up 35-0, senior defensive back Andrew Mukuba made a stunning return to the field after sitting out the last contest against Vanderbilt due to injury. On the opening drive of the third quarter, third-string Florida quarterback Aidan Warner’s first pass was intercepted by Mukuba and returned for nine yards. The Texas offense stood its ground and claimed another seven points off the turnover, while Florida had yet to convert any of its drives.
The Longhorns soon had their first slip by allowing a lengthy 15-play drive from the Gators that ended in a field goal before tacking on their first touchdown of the game. Florida made one final push in the fourth quarter, recovering a Texas fumble for a touchdown, but it was too late, and Texas solidified the score at 49-17.
