Texas football news: Colin Simmons issues apology for grotesque sack celly after historic performance vs. Tennessee
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Texas star defensive end Colin Simmons turned heads against Tennessee on Saturday, putting together a historic performance that was tempered by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty stemming from an inappropriate sack celebration. The No. 1 Longhorns escaped Knoxville with a 20-17 win over the No. 14 Volunteers, improving to 4-0.
Simmons finished with eight tackles, including six solo stops, five sacks, a forced fumble, 10 total pressures and two quarterback hits. His five sacks tied the Texas single-game program record and marked the most sacks by an SEC player since at least 2000, according to ESPN. He also became the first FBS player in 20 seasons to record five sacks against a ranked opponent, per ESPN Insights.
The incident came in the second quarter after Simmons dropped Tennessee true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon for a 16-yard loss. Following the sack, Simmons mimicked urinating on the field, prompting officials to call him for unsportsmanlike conduct for “simulating using the restroom.”
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Because the play occurred on third-and-13, the 15-yard penalty resulted in an automatic first down for the Volunteers instead of a fourth-and-29 situation. The extended drive ultimately ended without a touchdown, but the penalty gave Tennessee additional life.
Simmons acknowledged the mistake after the game and apologized for the celebration.
“I also do want to say I apologize for the celebration,” he said. “I was definitely in that mode, feeling myself. But, you know, it happens. Charge it to the game.”
Colin Simmons addresses his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and apologizes for his viral celebration against Tennessee.
(via @EvanVieth) pic.twitter.com/tL8mgYzKsW
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 26, 2026
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian described the celebration as a “bad football play” and was unhappy with the penalty. The Longhorns were charged with 11 total penalties for 115 yards during the game.
Simmons was removed from the contest following the incident before returning to the field. He responded with two consecutive sacks in the third quarter and did not celebrate either play.
The victory added to the Longhorns impressive start to the season, with two of their four wins coming against top-15 opponents: No. 1 Ohio State and the No. 14 Volunteers. Texas will now turn its attention to next Saturday’s Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma.
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