Penalty tracker: Texas reverts to sloppy play against UTSA
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After a disciplined start to the season that resulted in just six penalties for 47 yards over two games, the No.1 Texas Longhorns reverted to old ways against the UTSA Roadrunners in Saturday’s 30-6 win, committing eight penalties for 88 yards.
What appeared to be a promising reversal from years past took a step back on Saturday and the most damaging part was that many of the penalties derailed drives or came on special teams.
The penalty party got under way on the first snap of the game. After Texas linebacker Rasheem Biles intercepted the opening pass on the first play from scrimmage, the bench was flagged for having too many players leave the bench to celebrate.
Easily avoidable and costly, this type of penalty is a prime example of what the coaching staff is trying to eliminate. Texas quickly punched it in for a touchdown despite the penalty, but the silliness of the flag makes it tough to digest.
The next two penalties were each of the 15-yard variety and directly affected the outcome of a drive. Rather than force UTSA into a 3rd and 14, the Longhorns defense gifted the Roadrunners a free first down thanks to a horse-collar tackle. UTSA converted a field goal as a result.
On the other side of the ball, Texas center Connor Robertson arrived late try to push Raleek Brown for more yards and was flagged for 15 yards, moving the ball from the UTSA 21-yard line to the 36-yard line, resulting in a field-goal attempt.
The impact of both penalties was costly and ultimately resulted in a significantly negative EPA for both units.
The next flag, the first of multiple special teams penalties, was perhaps the most costly of the night. A 34-yard punt return by Ryan Niblett that put the Texas offense in position 1A at the UTSA 22-yard line was wiped out thanks to an illegal block in the back. The spot foul resulted in 23 yards being erased.
Texas turned the ball over in four plays after failing to convert a 4th and 6, their first drive without points.
This flag was a momentum killer that cost the Longhorns points and prevented what could have been a knockout punch. The offense was poised to push the game to a three-possession lead with little reason to believe that the final outcome hadn’t been decided in the first half.
The special teams units went on to commit two more penalties — a face mask while covering a punt and a holding call on a kickoff return.
Special teams penalties cost field position and momentum. The face mask moved the ball from midfield to the Texas 35-yard line and the Roadrunners converted a field goal on the ensuing offensive drive.
The ensuing offensive drive for Texas after the holding call resulted in a punt.
The frequency and cost of the Longhorn penalties was on full display on Saturday. Both UTSA scoring drives were aided by Texas mistakes as offensive drives were derailed and red-zone opportunities erased thanks to penalties.
Steve Sarkisian’s team enters SEC play with inconsistency regarding penalties. One thing is clear — the mistakes that the Longhorns made on Saturday came back to directly haunt them in blatantly obvious ways. If Texas hopes to continue down the path of victory, the Longhorns will need to return to the disciplined play showcased in the first two games.
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