Texas coach Steve Sarkisian refused to step away from calling offensive plays himself despite the Longhorns’ ongoing struggles in special teams after their 27-24 loss to Oklahoma. Asked if he would relinquish play-calling duties or adjust his special teams staff, Sarkisian said, “Not a chance,” insisting, “We have to play better.”
The rivalry defeat exposed persistent issues for Texas, particularly on special teams. The Longhorns gave up a punt block touchdown in the first half and later allowed a defensive score. This followed a similar breakdown the previous week when Tennessee’s Qua Moss returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown in Knoxville.
The special teams problems are not new. Texas ranks in the bottom half of the SEC this season in kickoff and punting averages, kickoff return average, and remains one of eight SEC teams without a blocked punt or kick. Sarkisian dismissed calls to reconsider Jeff Banks’s role overseeing special teams, despite the repeated failures in critical moments.
“I feel like we’ve missed some opportunities on special teams quite frankly,” Sarkisian said. “I felt like we had a couple return opportunities that we didn’t get. Clearly, two weeks in a row we’ve kicked the ball out of bounds on kickoffs. We’re better than that, and so I’ve got to find a way to get our guys playing with more confidence from a specialist standpoint. But again, that’s my job to try to get that done.”
Texas’s offensive struggles also remain a concern. Against Oklahoma, the Longhorns went three-and-out seven times and currently lead the SEC in three-and-out rate. Their average points per possession in conference games stand at just 1.63, ranking 103rd nationally. The Longhorns gained 5.4 yards per play in the loss, which places them 104th in the country, trailing only teams like Arkansas, Clemson, Texas A&M, Michigan, and Colorado.
The offense’s inconsistency was illustrated by Arch Manning’s pick-six in the third quarter, which shifted momentum to Oklahoma. Later, a forced pass under pressure led to the Sooners’ game-winning field goal in the final minute.
Sarkisian has yet to address the offensive shortcomings despite possessing one of the most talented quarterback rosters nationally. Since his arrival in 2021, Texas has finished with a top-30 offense only twice, including 2023. Quinn Ewers, the 2021 No. 1 recruit, transferred from Ohio State and threw for 9,128 yards, 68 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions in three seasons under Sarkisian. Arch Manning, the top player in the 2023 class, has thrown for 5,254 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions over two-plus seasons but has struggled in big moments this fall with three touchdowns against three interceptions and 10 sacks.
Manning has not matched the confidence he showed late in the 2025 season when he helped Texas win seven of its last eight games, including the Citrus Bowl against Michigan.
Texas started the season 4-1 and remains inside the top five despite the loss to Oklahoma. The Longhorns face Florida, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State over the next three games before traveling to Missouri on November 7. The season ends with matchups against LSU, Arkansas, and Texas A&M, all considered winnable if the team can improve consistency and execution.
At 4-1, Texas is still well positioned for a College Football Playoff berth, especially with a victory over Ohio State boosting their resume. Ten wins would guarantee an at-large bid, but a 9-3 finish would complicate discussions. Sarkisian’s insistence on maintaining control over play-calling and backing his special teams staff remains a defining feature of the Longhorns’ campaign.
According to CBS.