The Texas Longhorns picked up their second straight win of the season thanks to a hard-fought 23-9 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats, who are still looking for their first Big 12 win of the season. Here'sw what we learned from each team in that game:
Texas Longhorns
Charlie Strong has probably saved his job. Five games in, Texas was 1-4 and looked to be on the same level of Big 12 doormat Kansas heading into the thick of the conference schedule. Now, back-to-back wins over a ranked Oklahoma team and a decent Kansas State squad has cast the shadows aside and rekindled bowl hopes around Austin. Making a low-level bowl is never the goal at UT, but the way Charlie Strong has raised this team from the dead will keep him on the sidelines for at least one more go-around.
Maybe Texas doesn't need to throw the ball. The Longhorns managed just 99 yards through the air in this one, but they were able to utilize the read-option game and the athleticism of their quarterbacks to rack up 274 yards on the ground. It wasn't always pretty, but it's been good enough each of the last two games.
Texas' defense has turned it around. After being one of the country's worst units through those first five games, the Longhorns have given up just 26 points in the past two games. They've needed this unit to step up with their offense struggles, and they've done just that.
Kansas State Wildcats
The injury bug has killed them. Quarterback Joe Hubener was forced out with an injury yet again, causing wide receiver Kody Cook to take over under center down the stretch again. The Wildcats have just been decimated by injuries all over the field this season, and it may keep them from getting to a bowl game.
Charles Jones is a ray of hope. The junior running back rushed for 122 yards on just 18 carries in this one, providing the Kansas State offense with the only spark they really got on the afternoon. In the only two games in which he has gotten more that 10 carries, he's accounted for a total of 197 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. Expect him to get more opportunities going forward.
Defense is a definite issue. Not only were they outplayed by Texas' terrible offense, they've now given up an average of 41.5 points per game in Big 12 play. That just won't get it done. Injuries have played a big role in that, but KSU has to find some way to improve their production on that side of the ball if they want to turn their season around.
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