San José State Game Recap
The Texas offense showed explosive flashes on Saturday, with Parker Livingstone emerging as a leading threat. Photo: USA Today
Takeaways from Texas vs. San José State
Championship Level Defense
A question coming into the 2025 season for the Longhorns was whether or not they would be able to sustain the defensive play that we saw throughout all of 2024. Through 2 games, the answer is a resounding yes, and this might even be a better group. That might sound crazy after a year where the defense featured the Jim Thorpe Award winner and multiple NFL draft picks, but it’s very possible. After surrendering just 14 points on the road to Ohio State (who just hung 70 on poor Grambling, and could have been more), without the help of any turnovers by the way, the Longhorns defense gave up just 7 to San José State on Saturday, and forced 4 turnovers. The Texas pass rush finally got on the board as well, recording 2 sacks. We still haven’t seen the true potential of that group develop this season, and I am sure there will be more to come.
During a 5 minute stretch between the 1st and 2nd quarters, the Texas defense forced turnovers on 3 consecutive drives, a Jaylon Guilbeau interception followed by two fumble recoveries, by Ty’Anthony Smith and Trey Moore. Moore really should’ve gotten in the end zone for the scoop ‘n score, if we’re being honest, returning the ball to the opposing 1 yard line. This is the type of ball hawking group that can swing a tight game in the Horns’ favor later on down the line. Shout out to junior LB Anthony Hill for a pair of forced fumbles as well. Overall, the defense held up well in the passing game, limiting Spartan QB Walker Eget to 188 yards on 50% completions, with a 35.3 QBR and the aforementioned INT. They also limited the opposing rushing attack to 85 yards on 2.9 yards per carry. This was a group that was never really bothered on the day, and they forced the issue multiple times to give Texas a momentum boost when things were in a lull offensively. Look for this to continue as the season progresses - we’ve got some dawgs on D!
Parker Livingstone
The man who is quickly becoming a star in the burnt orange and white, he recorded the first two Texas touchdowns on the day, and at that point had been responsible for 100% of Longhorn scores for the season. Toward the end of the 1st quarter, the redshirt freshman WR broke open for an 83-yard score, as his closest defender fell down and he outraced everyone to the end zone. Livingstone is a former high school track star - the boy’s got some wheels! Not only that, but he is becoming a dependable target and threat in all areas of the field for Texas, having also converted in the red zone for his 2nd TD of the day on a 3-yard slant from Arch Manning. Could he be emerging as the true WR1 in this offense? With Ryan Wingo yet to find his chemistry with Arch, it’s certainly possible the duo of Manning and Livingstone will be the leading one - after all, they are roommates. Shades of McCoy-Shipley, anyone?
Offense - Positive Steps & Room for Improvement
Overall, it was obviously a much better day at the office for the Longhorn offense on Saturday, compared to a week prior. But just how much better? Sure, Texas put up almost 500 total yards, including 317 through the air, with Manning accounting for 5 touchdowns. Still, you would’ve liked to have seen in the neighborhood of 600 yards, and certainly more out of the ground game. The offense failed to start well in both halves, and didn’t even manage to score in the 4th quarter. Against a much (MUCH) weaker opponent than Ohio State, Texas managed just 38 points, and many of the scoring opportunities were created by the defense. Arch had a much more productive game, and tallied a 74.4 QBR, but he still had some puzzling throws and decision making sprinkled throughout. He’s got to get in sync with Wingo in order to take this offense to the next level.
Now - the run game. Or lack there of. Sure, 155 yards sounds decent - but consider that SJSU gave up 236 on the ground to Central Michigan last week. Hmmm. It’s understandable to lose a step without starter Tre Wisner for this game, but not to the extent that we saw. Texas couldn’t establish a consistent push up front, with its leading rusher CJ Baxter managing just 64 yards. I would like to see the Horns be able to run pretty much at will late in a game like this - and it’s something we have seen before in Sark’s offense, just not yet this year.
To continue on another area of improvement, the Longhorns were just 2/12 on 3rd down on the day, and at one point during the meat of the game were just 1/10. Against San José State!! Now, I’m not sounding any alarm bells, but you’d certainly hope to see better play calling and execution on those downs moving forward.
Texas gets the win and improves to 1-1, and will continue to have opportunities to improve over the next few weeks. The potential is there, the question marks remain, and we move forward. Horns always up!
Final score: Texas 38, San José State 7
Hook ‘em
