Texas football: Players react to a 48-13 win over Rice

Texas players reacted to their 48-14 win over Rice. Here's what they had to say.

Defense on the hunt

After taking on LSU's NFL-type passing scheme last week, things were simplified against Rice.

With a ton of two and three tight end sets the Owls made no bones about what they wanted to do to move the ball. Cut loose and allowed to just flow to the ball, Longhorn defenders responded well to the simplified game plan.

"The scheme was a lot shorter," safety Brandon Jones said. "They just wanted us to be able to fly around and have fun to play football."

Fly around they did. Texas held Rice to 0-for-6 on third downs in the game and force three-and-outs on four of the Owls' first six possessions. The first-team defense pitched a shutout, leading 38-0 before giving way to the backups and younger players in the third quarter.

Keondre Coburn takes a step forward

Speaking of guys who were able to fly around and make plays, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Keondre Coburn played undoubtedly the best game of his young career so far.

The 6-foot-3, 330-pounder was disruptive, setting up camp in the Rice backfield for most of the game. He recorded four tackles (two solo) and a sack.

Teammate Malcolm Roach thinks Coburn's light bulb moment might not have come in the actual game, but in the week prior.

"Leading up to the game, he said he wanted to take a different approach, just taking it serious in the film room, things like that," Roach said. "We saw it all week, a change in the way he practiced and it showed today in the way he played."

Keaontay Ingram gets back on track

It was no secret that Keaontay Ingram wasn't at his best against LSU.

The sophomore running back came into the season with high expectations - think 1,000-yard rusher expectations - and with multiple injuries in the running back room, his success has become nearly integral to Texas' ability to be a balanced offense.

Luckily for the Longhorns Ingram looked a lot more like his old self against Rice, rushing for 74 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

"Everybody was worried about that (running back) coming into the season (because of injuries), but I didn't bat an eye," Sam Ehlinger said. "I had so much confidence in Keaontay and really just that whole room. It's great for Keaontay to get back on track tonight."

Nobody likes to see a rough game like the one Ingram had against LSU, but overcoming it may end up making him a better player down the road.

"The biggest lesson (I learned): learn how to handle certain situations," Ingram said. "Everything's not gonna go your way. I mean, in football you're gonna have adversity. I don't know (anybody) who hasn't. Just live and learn from it, get better from it. I feel like I'm heading in the right direction. I'm starting to get my feet back under myself. I'm just ready to get this brace off so I can really move and be myself."

Jake Smith playing ahead of the curve

True freshman Jake Smith continues to excel in the slot for Texas. The reigning Gatorade National High School Player of the Year has moved his game to the next level with minimal growing pains.

Smith led the team with six catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns against Rice, all while splitting time in the slot with Devin Duvernay.

Yeah, he's a freak, freakish speed, freakish athletic ability, obviously," Ehlinger said. "So for him to come in and learn the way that he has and work the way that he has every game, we are going to continue to get more comfortable together. (He is a) great dude and I love being around him."