Head coach Steve Sarkisian reflected on his journey with the Texas Longhorns following their 31-14 victory over Kentucky on Saturday, a win that kept the No. 3 Longhorns (10-1, 6-1 SEC) atop the Southeastern Conference standings and in control of their postseason destiny.
“I didn’t do a great job of appreciating moments along the way when I first got here,” Sarkisian said. He added that he knows that “there is a prize out there that we are striving for.”
The No. 3 Longhorns, poised for a spot in the SEC Championship Game and a favorable position in the College Football Playoff rankings, showed resilience and grit to secure the win on Senior Day at Royal-Memorial Stadium against Kentucky.
Texas opened with an uncharacteristically efficient first drive, marching 75 yards in 11 plays. Quarterback Quinn Ewers capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Gunnar Helm, who Sarkisian called “the model of what development in our program should look like.” Helm, a senior, caught two touchdowns on the day.
A standout play in the drive came from wide receiver Matthew Golden, who hauled in a 19-yard reception on third-and-11, one of his five catches in the opening quarter.
Kentucky tied the game in the second quarter, but Texas responded decisively. Jaydon Blue’s 5-yard touchdown run regained the lead, and Helm’s second touchdown, set up by Jelani McDonald’s interception of Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff, extended the margin. Bert Auburn’s 49-yard field goal as time expired in the first half gave Texas a commanding 24-7 lead.
The third quarter tested the Longhorns. The offense sputtered, managing just 72 yards, and turnovers nearly opened the door for Kentucky. Linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson returned a fumble by Ewers for a touchdown, narrowing the lead to 24-14.
Texas regained control in the fourth quarter with a methodical 15-play, 86-yard drive that consumed 8:22 of game time. Quintrevion Wisner punctuated the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run, effectively sealing the victory. Sarkisian lauded the drive as a “culture, attitude drive” that demonstrated the team’s ability to manage the clock and close out games.
Before No. 3 Texas kicked off its final home game of the 2024 season against Kentucky, the Longhorns celebrated Senior Day at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Eighteen scholarship players, including quarterback Quinn Ewers, were honored in a pregame ceremony.
The list of outgoing Longhorns featured defensive tackles Vernon Broughton, Jermayne Lole, and Bill Norton; wide receiver/return specialist Silas Bolden; cornerback Gavin Holmes; safety Andrew Mukuba; linebackers Morice Blackwell Jr. and David Gbenda; offensive lineman Hayden Conner; tight end Juan Davis; center Jake Majors; EDGE Barryn Sorrell; tight end Gunnar Helm; safety Michael Taaffe; defensive lineman Alfred Collins; and cornerback Jahdae Barron. The ceremony celebrated their contributions and legacy as they took the field one final time in front of the home crowd.
The Longhorns will face Texas A&M (8-2, 5-1 SEC) next Saturday in College Station for the first meeting between the rivals since 2011. The high-stakes matchup carries significant postseason implications, with both teams eyeing a spot in the SEC Championship Game.
With one hurdle left in the regular season, Texas looks poised to take the next step in its pursuit of championship glory in their first year in the Southeastern Conference.
In the words of Matthew McConaughey: Well, Alright. Alright. Alright.
Seniors. 2 words. Thank. You. 10-1 for season, for legacy. #Hookem
— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) November 24, 2024
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: No. 3 Texas tops Kentucky 31-14, stats first place in SEC Standings
