Texas Longhorns Survived vs. Kansas State, And That's What Matters

The Texas Longhorns barely escaped on Saturday against Kansas State. But they won, and that's what matters.

AUSTIN, TX -- Still chasing a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth, the Texas Longhorns narrowly escaped what could have been a disastrous loss against the Kansas State Wildcats on Saturday afternoon, winning 33-30 in overtime in front of a sold-out crowd at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

They weren't perfect on either side of the ball. It wasn't pretty. But it's a win. 

And that's all that matters. 

Most importantly, Texas showed that even when it is not playing its best, it can still beat a really good football team. 

As a result, the Longhorns are still completely in control of their own destiny.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m a broken record when I talk about versatility, resilience, perseverance," Sarkisian said. "Those are qualities that championship teams have because they find a way to win different ways, and they find a way to win games at critical moments and can make plays at critical moments. For our guys today, it just felt like another example of that."

"I think it tested us. It tested our resiliency. It tested our culture."

Texas Longhorns defensive end Barryn Sorrell / © Ricardo B. Brazziell, Austin American-Statesman

This is the second culture-testing win the Longhorns have had to endure as well. 

Two weeks ago in Houston, the Longhorns blew a 21-point lead to the Cougars, narrowly escaping 31-24 after losing their starting quarterback, Quinn Ewers, to an injury. 

Saturday's matchup against Kansas State was much the same, with Texas blowing a 27-7 lead, and being sent to overtime, thanks in large part to their own mistakes.

But, at the end of the day, they were able to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.

"I’d much rather win ugly than lose pretty. I’ve never seen a pretty loss, so I’ll take this one. I love being 8-1. Proud of our team," Sarkisian said. “There’s a lot of teams that would have played in this game today that wouldn’t have won, and we continue to find a way to win. That’s the sign of a champion.”

Now, the Longhorns will head into their final stretch run of the season, with tow-straight road games on deck first.

That begins with a matchup against TCU - a team they have not had great success against over the last decade.

But as long as they keep winning, pretty or not,  they will be in Arlington for the Big 12 Championship Game... and if they win there perhaps even more. 

And that's all that matters.