Longhorns Extra Points: Texas kisses Big 12 goodbye with a championship

“I couldn’t be more proud of these guys and more happy for them,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “And couldn’t be happier for Longhorn Nation. I know it’s been a long time coming. I know everybody’s starving for this championship. So to get it on our final game in the Big 12, I hope everybody enjoys this as much as we do.” Texas won its first conference championship since 2009 in the league championship game on Saturday afternoon.

READ MORE: Texas puts together most complete performance of season

Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns’ quarterback, had his best performance of the season, going 35 of 46 for 452 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. With 75 yards, running back Keilan Robinson topped all rushers; wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders both had more than 100 yards in receptions.

It’s still unclear whether Texas (12-1) will make the College Football Playoffs, but one thing is certain: Sarkisian has elevated the team to a level not seen since the end of the Mack Brown era in 2013.

Other lessons from Texas’ Big 12 title victory include the following:

Historical evidence against Oklahoma State
As Texas’ head coach, Sarkisian was 0-2 versus Oklahoma State prior to Saturday’s match. Blown leads and a failure to complete games were features of both of the Cowboys’ losses. In both of those games, Texas held double-digit leads until Oklahoma State rallied.

“This week, I remembered what happened (against Oklahoma State) last year,” Ewers remarked. “My game wasn’t at its best. I intercepted three passes. It felt amazing to come out here and play what I think is my true game against the same bunch of characters.

Creating the Culture
Robinson received a great deal of appreciation from Sarkisian for taking the small steps to establish the program’s culture. Robinson moved to Texas in time for Sarkisian’s inaugural campaign as head coach, having previously attended Alabama.

“I believe he played a significant role in illustrating the significance of special teams and the small things that add up to shaping our team’s mentality,” Sarkisian stated. “And he remains the same. Three years later, he’s covering the kickoff after scoring a touchdown. We anticipate that from our guys. That is the level at which we compete.

When Sarkisian was the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator, Robinson was a student at Alabama. Before redshirting in 2020, Robinson participated in eight games as a freshman at Alabama in 2019.

In Sarkisian’s first year at Texas, Robinson played a big role in showing the other Longhorns how their new head coach operated.

“This is how he wants things done, this is how we’re going to practice, this is how this week will go, this is how this bowl game week will go, and things like that.” “I was just demonstrating to these guys his style and expectations,” Robinson remarked.

Robinson gained 75 yards and two touchdowns on four carries against Oklahoma State. At 57 yards, it was his longest touchdown run of the day.

Yormark’s remarks
During Texas’ 57-7 victory over Texas Tech in the regular-season finale, a video clip of Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark’s remarks from a Red Raiders event earlier in the summer was shown on the big screen.

Texas Tech was instructed by Yormark to “take care of business in Austin.” The Red Raiders defeated the Longhorns at Lubbock, Texas, last season, winning 37-34 in overtime.

Prior to Saturday’s conference game, the Big 12 commissioner, who attended the game last week in Austin, spoke with reporters about the situation.

“I never turn back,” Yormark declared to the press. “I never turn around. I had a great stay in Austin. My son and I were present. I seize the opportunity. The fans were fantastic. Despite the fact that I have only been a college sports fan for 16 months, there is one thing about them that I adore: their passion. And I adore it.

offensive titan
The Texas offense on Saturday saw several players attain significant milestones. Ewers broke the record for most throwing yards in a Big 12 championship game and set new career highs in completions and passing yards.

In program history, Mitchell became the eighth receiver to score ten touchdowns or more in a single season.

The third-longest string of consecutive games with a reception in program history is held by wide receiver Xavier Worthy.

With his 105 receiving yards on Saturday, Sanders now has 1,220 career receiving yards—the second-highest total in program history.