Steve Sarkisian Thinks Texas Longhorns Need To Improve In These Three Areas
Following the Texas Longhorns' bye week, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian had time to digest the improvements the team need to make moving forward, starting with their matchup against the Houston Cougars on Saturday.
Sarkisian said that the Longhorns are not playing successfully on special teams, but the coach dug deeper into what he believes is the root of the issue.
“I think we can be even more effective on special teams," Sarkisian said. "We’re constantly trying to push our guys, but to push our players we have to push our staff. Our staff’s got to keep working towards those things as well.”
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian vs. the Oklahoma Sooners
© Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY
However, that is not the only issue the Longhorns have found themselves suffering from.
Sarkisian also said that he is impressed with the level of play the Longhorns are upholding on defense, but is underwhelmed with the turnover statistics and attempts at trying to strip the ball away from the opponent's offense.
“As I look at ourselves defensively, an area I know we can improve is we’ve got to take the ball off people more and we’ve got to attempt to take the ball off people more," Sarkisian said.
A major wake-up call for the Longhorns this season was when the Oklahoma Sooners stuffed the Longhorns four times at the goal line, refraining Texas from entering the end zone.
The drive that could have possibly been the difference maker in the 2023 Red River Rivalry outcome is now a learning curve for the Horns' red zone offense.
“We have to game plan better and we have to execute better," Sarkisian said. "There’s no secret sauce to this deal. I think our players buy-in and trust and believe in what we do. Clearly, it shows when we create explosive plays and we can execute.”
