Longhorns Country

Texas Longhorns Veteran Facing Suspension

The Texas Longhorns committed multiple questionable penalties in the win over Vanderbilt.
Zach Dimmitt|
Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Vernon Broughton (45) celebrates a fumble recovery in the first half of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 12, 2024.
Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Vernon Broughton (45) celebrates a fumble recovery in the first half of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 12, 2024. | SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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AUSTIN -- Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Vernon Broughton committed a head-scratching targeting penalty late in Saturday's 27-24 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores and was ejected.

As a result, he'll be suspended for the first half of Texas' home game against the Florida Gators on Nov. 9. The team could choose to appeal the decision.

Broughton's targeting penalty took a game-sealing 72-yard interception return for a touchdown by Kobe Black off the board. After Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia released the errant pass, Broughton hit him high and late. The flag gave the Commodores life and they proceeded to find the end zone five plays lateer to make it a three-point deficit.

Through seven games this season, Broughton has tallied 16 total tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass deflection. He's already two tackles away from topping the single-season career high he set last year when he finshed with 17 total tackles.

Though it was a sloppy game for Texas, the defense forced three turnovers and held Pavia in check for the most part. The Longhorns only scored three points off these takeaways but it marked the second straight game Texas' defense has come up with three turnovers.

If Broughton's suspension doesn't get overturned, the Longhorns will be without arguably their top defensive lineman early on against a Florida offense that's led by quarterback DJ Lagway. The Gators are currently averaging the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game (149.7) in the SEC this season but could be able to establish the run game early without Broughton in the middle.

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

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