The Texas Longhorn defense didn’t allow the Texas A&M Aggies to score a single point in the first Lone Star Showdown since 2011. 

Despite playing in one of the hardest environments in college football, the Texas defense wasn’t fazed, taking advantage of key moments to pull away with a 17-7 win against Texas A&M. 

Now, Texas heads to Atlanta to play in the SEC Championship game against Georgia. With the game happening right in Georgia’s backyard, Texas will likely have to play with the crowd against them again. 

However, if the defense remains consistent with how they played in the Lone Star Showdown, Texas has a good opportunity to make up for their one loss of the season. Here are some defensive standouts in the Texas A&M game who look to have a repeat performance against Georgia:

Vernon Broughton, DL 

Senior defensive lineman Vernon Broughton received SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week after an impressive performance against Texas A&M. Quick off the line, Broughton got to Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed twice, recording a career-high in sacks in a single game. 

Then, in A&M’s last drive, Broughton jumped on a fumbled ball by Reed and ended the Aggies’ hope of a comeback.

Broughton has already topped the single-season career high he set last year with 17 total tackles. Currently at 27 total tackles, the lineman from Houston only needs seven more tackles to double his total from last year, which he may be able to do in these last few games. 

Michael Taaffe, DB

Another player who earned an award for his performance in the Lone Star Showdown was junior defensive back Michael Taaffe, who was named the East-West Shrine Bowl’s “Texas Star of the Week.”

Taaffe made an impact in the game early on, intercepting the ball at the Texas seven-yard line in the first quarter. However, Taaffe didn’t stop there, recording three total tackles with one for loss. 

Taaffe had a season-high in tackles against Georgia earlier in the season with nine total, so he will be looking to perform even better in the championship game. 

Trey Moore, LB

With one minute and 36 seconds left in the game, junior edge rusher Trey Moore strip-sacked Reed, whose fumble would be recovered by Broughton and end A&M’s final drive.

In the past three games, Moore has really hit his stride, getting a sack each game and recording a total of nine tackles. Against the Aggies, the transfer from UTSA had two tackles for loss.

Liona Lefau, LB

The best word to describe sophomore linebacker Liona Lefau’s game would probably be versatility. Lefau has played wherever the team needs him to be, from special teams last year to middle linebacker this year. 

Lefau started at middle linebacker for the first time this season against Oklahoma, freeing up star sophomore linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. to put pressure on the edge. In the game against Texas A&M, Lefau shined and recorded six total tackles, the most on the team.