Notebook: Jonathon Brooks Fuels Longhorns' 31-10 Win With Career-Game
It wasn't always pretty or even as dominant as the final score would suggest, but the Texas Longhorns advanced to 3-0 for the first time since 2012 with a 31-10 win over the Wyoming Cowboys.
So, before the Longhorns turn the page on this win and begin preparations for the start of the conference, we'll empty the notebook from the win.
Two Dimensions
Saturday night didn't transpire how many thought it would've on multiple fronts for the Longhorns. Coming off the program's biggest win since 2008, as they went on the road and beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa, the high-flying Longhorn offense didn't look like it did a week ago.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers and the passing game never got going, as he completed 11 of 21 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns, which netted him a completion percentage of 52 against a tough but ultimately inferior Wyoming team.
While the passing game never got into a rhythm, the Longhorns proved they could win in more than one way, as the ground game - without two NFL running backs like Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson - outpaced the passing game with 185 yards on 31 carries.
With the former five-star true freshman C.J. Baxter out due to an injury, Jonathon Brooks carried the load for Texas on the ground, rushing for 164 yards on 21 attempts, setting a new career-high for both yards and carries.
Explosive Plays Allowed
The Longhorns can be proud of holding an opponent to 10 points. They will also walk away from the win, needing to find ways to prevent explosive plays.
The lone touchdown surrendered by the Horns was a 62-yard run by Cowboys' running back Harrison Waylee, which turned out to be just the first of six plays where Texas gave up 15 yards or more through the air or on the ground.
Fourth Quarter Finish
The Longhorns finished a game with a big fourth quarter for the second straight week. Texas entered the final 15 minutes of play tied at 10 before scoring 21 unanswered points to make it a 31-10 win.
Good Teams Win... Even If It's Ugly
While the night didn't go as fans may have wanted, as they would've rather seen Texas take control of the game from the beginning, it is a positive sign that they were able to overcome their struggles and still pull out a 21-point win.
Finding a way to win is what good teams, even when it is "ugly," is what separates playoff teams from the rest.