Inside the Numbers: Texas delivers on All Gas, No Brakes

The Texas Longhorns opened conference play with yet another explosive offensive performance, topping the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 70-35, to move to 3-1 on the year. It seems after an embarrassing performance against the Arkansas Razorbacks two weeks ago, Steve Sarkisian needed to exorcise some demons and prove that he can live up to the all gas, no brakes slogan he brought with him from Alabama.

Total Yardage: 639 yards, 303 passing, 336 rushing.

The Longhorns put up gaudy numbers once again on the offensive side of the ball, racking up their second-consecutive 600-yard game under Sarkisian. In the previous four years, the Longhorns topped 600 yards just five times - twice in 2020, once in 2019 and once in 2017 - putting Sarkisian’s Longhorns in position to be one of the top offensive teams in the country. But it’s not just about the yardage, but how efficient Texas was in the process

The 8.5 yards per play average marked the second-consecutive game for Texas going over eight yards per play offensively, after averaging 10 yards per play a week ago. Under Tom Herman, Texas met or exceeded eight yards per play just four times - three times in 2020 and once in 2019. This performance puts Texas at 7.25 yards per play on the year with one-third of the regular season under their belts.

Texas got it done on the ground as well, hitting 300 rushing yards for the second consecutive week, marking just the second time in school history that Texas has gone for at least 300 yards in consecutive weeks. In the previous four years, Texas hit 300 rushing yards just three times.

Xavier Worthy: 5 receptions, 100 yards, 3 TD

Through four games, it seems like the biggest addition of the offseason was closing the deal on Xavier Worthy after the speedy wideout was released from his letter of intent from the Michigan Wolverines.

After a concerted effort a week ago to get him involved in the offensive game plan, Worthy made the most of his touches against the Red Raiders. In the first 100-yard performance of his college career, he also snagged three touchdowns — the most in a single game by a freshman in school history. His performance makes him the team’s leading receiver in both yardage and touchdowns with 246 yards and four touchdowns through four games.

Worthy once again showed his explosiveness against Texas Tech, with 62 of his 100 yards coming on one score — No. 18 on the list of longest touchdown catches by a freshman.

Casey Thompson: 18-23, 303, 5 TD, INT

Since taking over for Hudson Card in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks, Casey Thompson has made the most of his opportunities and looks to hold onto the starting job in perpetuity.

A week ago, Thompson put together a solid performance against the Owls, amassing 171 total yards and two touchdowns on 20 total touches — 18 passes and two rushes. His performance against Texas Tech gives him 467 passing yards in his first two starts, No. 5 on the list of quarterbacks in their first two starts. But perhaps the biggest advantage of Thompson is simply his ability to lead the offense to the end zone.

In the 27 drives, he’s led since last year’s bowl game, Thompson has led Texas to a score on 24 of them, including eight of nine against Texas Tech. That includes a run to end his day by completing six consecutive passes — three of which went for scores. In 2021, he has led 22 total drives with Texas scoring on 19 of them, settling for a field goal just once.