Why This Texas Longhorns DL Feels Ready for His First Red River Rivalry

This Saturday, the Texas Longhorns will face the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners for their annual Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.

Despite Texas coming off an upset loss to the Florida Gators, to which, currently forces them out of playoff contention. For this Longhorn, the key to bouncing back is staying positive and focusing on the present.

“We look at one game at a time, that’s the thing we focus on, we can't look too far ahead,” defensive lineman Hero Kanu said in Monday’s media availability. “(We) got these checkpoints throughout, you know, (of) what we want to get to, but we like to take a one day at a time and be where your feet are.”

Hero Kanu

The defensive lineman spent three seasons with Ohio State before transferring to Texas this season. Kanu said his teammates have forewarned him about the rivalry’s intensity, so he’s excited to experience the game for himself.

“(My teammates) say it's one of the best atmospheres that they have ever seen… they talk about, like the field being split, like one side is OU (and) the other side is Texas,” Kanu said. “I’m just super excited to see what this is gonna look like.”

Following their loss against Florida, Kanu said when revisiting the tape, there proved to be missed opportunities across the board. He added that the Longhorns are focusing on a faster start and emphasizing communication.

“Everybody has to be on the same page for this defense to work,” Kanu said. “Because let's say, if one half of the one defense, the other half is playing the other defense, we're gonna have open areas, open gaps.”

When preparing for Oklahoma, Kanu said the Sooners’ have a little bit of everything — toughness, intelligence and great training.

Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) celebrates a play in the first half of the Red River Rivalry, Oct. 12, 2024. — Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) celebrates a play in the first half of the Red River Rivalry, Oct. 12, 2024 at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. | SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“They're leading in a lot of categories right now,” Kanu said. “They’re doing a phenomenal job, obviously.”

Oklahoma’s defense led college football in yards allowed per game (193.0), and came second in points allowed (7.2) and most sacks (21). However, the Sooners are a more well-rounded force with their star quarterback, who may be missing Saturday’s game due to the recovery period from his hand surgery back in September.

“With (quarterback) John Mateer, we don't know what's going on with him, if he's playing (or not),” Kanu added. “But (they’re) doing a good job, and you gotta give that credit, but we're going to come out to play.”

Catch the Longhorns and Sooners battle it out in the Red River Rivalry on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.