Inside the Numbers: Texas tops Kansas State 23-9

Bazillion: number of rain drops that fell at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium against Kansas State

Seriously, I counted. It was wet.

7 - 50 (7.1) - 3: Tyrone Swoopes rushes - rushing yards (yards per carry) - rushing TDs

Inside the Numbers has been one of many places where Texas fans have been clamoring for more Storm Swooper/Tyroneasaurus/18-Wheeler outside of short yardage situations. And with Texas gripping a one score lead with 3 minutes to go from midfield, the offense went with the big junior. The heavy rain contributed to a heavy and slick football that limited Texas' passing options, and given Jerrod Heard's relatively high carry count on the day (15) and a worn down K-State defense (subjected to 53 rushes against the improving Horns OL), the opportunity was perfect to deploy Tyrone Swoopes.

And he answered with a 3 play, 52 yard TD drive behind a mauling OL and the lead blocks of Alex De La Torre and Andrew Beck. It was an excellent moment for a player that's found a role on the team despite losing the starting role, and should have finally erased the silly notion that Tyrone is not mobile and afraid of contact.

18 - 103 (5.7): Johnathan Gray rushes - rushing yards (yards per carry)

15 - 61 (4.1): Jerrod Heard rushes - rushing yards (yards per carry)

10 - 43 (4.3): D'Onta Foreman rushes - rushing yards (yards per carry)

2 - 19 (9.5): Chris Warren rushes - rushing yards (yards per carry)

53 - 274 (5.2) - 3: Texas team rushes - rushing yards (yards per carry) - rushing TDs

6 - 41 (6.8): Daje Johnson "receptions" - "receiving yards" (yards per touch)

Tyrone Swoopes wasn't the only rusher to get in on the ground pound party. Johnathan Gray had his best performance of the season, coinciding with the time he's been most decisive as a runner. He attacked the holes presented by the improving Texas OL, and was steady with the ball all game long. Great performance from the senior.

Jerrod Heard continued his 3rd down scrambling brilliance, picking up several first half first downs to extend Texas drives. He continues to display some veteran wisdom in limiting the direct shots he takes as a runner, but needs to extend that to throwing the ball out of bounds to save sack yardage.

D'Onta Foreman added 43 tough yards on his carries, but didn't break the big one as he did against OU. An ankle injury may limit him short term, but the big back should be ready to go. Fortunately, Chris Warren returned from his own injury and added 19 impressive yards on two carries.

Daje Johnson returned from injury as well, and the staff refused to let the weather prevent the dynamic receiving threat from touching the ball. Johnson's touches all came near the line of scrimmage, and he still managed to average about 7 yards a touch despite the slick track.

7-15 vs. 4-14: Texas third down conversions-attempts vs. Kansas State third down conversions-attempts

5 - 33: Texas defense sacks - yards lost

One of the big story lines from the big win against OU was the significant 9-16 vs. 3-12 advantage on third down, a turnaround from the team's early season struggles. That story line continued against Kansas State, with the Horns converting nearly half of their attempts compared to the K-State conversion rate of less than a third. Again, a solid pass rush contributed to the performance, following the 6 sack, 45 yards lost performance with 5 sacks and 33 yards lost.

1 - 0: Kansas State turnovers - Texas turnovers

One of the few things Texas has done successfully all season long is win the turnover battle. Despite about three potential interceptions dropped by Dylan Haines and Jason Hall, Texas still won the turnover battle one to nothing. On the year, Texas is +1.00 per game in turnover margin, good for t-12th in the nation. The margin is driven largely by Texas' 5 turnovers lost, which ties for 6th nationally.

37 - 135 (3.6) - 0: Kansas State rushes - rushing yards (yards per carry) - rushing TDs

11-24, 107 (4.5), 1-1: Kansas State pass completions-attempts, passing yards (yards per attempt), passing TDs-INTs

A decimated QB depth chart did as much to limit the Kansas State offense as the weather did, and the first snap of the game for the Wildcats made it seem like KSU would have to ride WR Kody Cook at QB. Jason Hall, in what could prove to be his breakout performance of 2015 (he tied for the team lead 8 tackles with Duke Thomas), filled hard against the run and initially knocked out starter Joe Hubener, who's battled all season with injuries. But Hubener would return and gut out a tough performance, yet the Texas defense allowed little. Running back Charles Jones managed 122 yards on 18 carries, but Bedford's crew limited everything else and beat down the remaining KSU ball carriers.

With little going on the ground, K-State tried to move the ball through the air with little success. Some excellent catches in the rain, especially from receiver Deante Burton, helped get something done, but a stiff pass rush and some inaccuracy from Hubener led to an effective outing for the Texas secondary.