Texas Longhorns Offensive Line Proving To Be Critical For Run Game Dominance
Those who understand football to its core understand it's impossible to replace a talent such as Bijan Robinson. There's a challenge with also finding a vocal leader and physical enforcer to make up for lost reps that once were held by Roschon Johnson.
But the Texas Longhorns never thought they'd be one-dimensional on offense simply because Johnson and Robinson left for the NFL. Jake Majors saw the negative backlash of the depleted backfield as "bulletin board material" for the offensive line.
“We just let that stuff drive us more to show everybody that we're trying to be the best offensive line in the nation," Majors said.
The No. 7 Longhorns, who could clinch their spot in the Big 12 title game with back-to-back wins over TCU and Iowa State on the road, might not be the nation's "best" offensive line on paper, but they're pulling their weight despite being hindered by injuries. More importantly, the five men taking the field on Saturday keep the run game potent.
And it's a constant change. Even in last week's thrilling 33-30 overtime win over Kansas State, Texas (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) was forced to shuffle pieces around with Christian Jones out at right tackle. Kelvin Banks Jr., a potential All-American left tackle, missed multiple reps in the second half, too.
The results, however, haven't differed on the ground. Jonathon Brooks became the 15th running back in program history to eclipse 1,000 yards in a single season. CJ Baxter, arguably the nation's top freshman tailback, broke free in the second quarter for a 54-yard score to extend the Longhorns' lead to 17.
Sure, Brooks and Baxter aren't a clone of Robinson and Johnson, who combined for over 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, but they are a staple of the offensive identity in Austin. Perhaps it's more so a testament to the offensive line progression under third-year coach Kyle Flood?
No Jones? No problem. No Cole Hutson? No hindrance to play.
"I do think for our offensive line coming back this year, with the wealth of experience that we had, those guys have really grown together," said Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian. "They've got a great deal of confidence in blocking, and they have confidence in the runners behind them.”
Eight different offensive linemen have seen extensive reps this season. Saturday's performance from sophomore Cam Williams proved that while raw, he'll be fine as the long-term replacement for the sixth-year Jones.
Texas Longhorns take the field at Royal-Memorial Stadium
Jay Janner/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK
Other players like DJ Campbell and Hayden Conner have yet to show a sign of weakness both in run blocking and pass protection. Maalik Murphy, who could start again this Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium, only faced pressure three times and wasn't sacked.
As a unit, the offense totaled 478 yards, 230 of which came on the ground. Sarkisian mentioned that running back play has been exceptional in large part of the bullies up front blocking.
And it's regardless of which player is taking reps on the line of scrimmage.
"They were a young unit last year," said Sarkisian. "Clearly, when you have two runners that ran the way that those two guys (Robinson and Johnson) ran, we had to be doing some things right around them."
