No. 3 Texas Longhorns Secure 31-14 Victory Over Kentucky, Claim SEC’s Top Spot
The Texas Longhorns leaned on their dominant defense yet again to power past the Kentucky Wildcats, 31-14, on Saturday. The win not only solidified Texas’ hold on the SEC’s top position but also showcased the team’s ability to dominate on both sides of the ball, especially in the fourth quarter.
Rushing Offense
- Texas: 250 yards, 2 TDs
- Kentucky: 21 yards
For the second week in a row and fifth time this season, Texas completely neutralized their opponent’s ground game. Kentucky mustered only 21 rushing yards, Texas’ best defensive performance of the year. Even when adjusting for sack yardage, Kentucky’s total would still rank as Texas’ second-best outing against the run, trailing only the 57 yards allowed to Louisiana-Monroe in Week Four. The Wildcats’ 0.7 yards per carry was their lowest mark in a decade, improving only slightly to 2.6 yards per carry without sacks.
On offense, Texas relied on their rushing attack, especially in the fourth quarter with quarterback Quinn Ewers continuing his recovery. The Longhorns logged a season-high 250 rushing yards, with 86 coming on a final, clock-draining drive lasting 8:22 to secure the victory. Over their last two games, Texas has executed game-sealing drives totaling 15:12, almost exclusively relying on the run.
The Longhorns also maintained efficiency with their ground game throughout, averaging 7.2 yards per carry on first down, including 90 yards on runs of 10+ yards. The combination of rushing dominance and a stifling defense underscored why Texas remains a national contender.
Defensive Dominance: Pass Rush and Secondary
Pass Rush: 6 Sacks, -57 Yards
Texas’ defense matched their season-high sack total with six for the second consecutive week. This marks the first time this season the Longhorns have delivered back-to-back six-sack performances, bringing their total to the most since 2016, when they finished with 14.
The pass rush overwhelmed Kentucky’s offense, frequently disrupting plays behind the line of scrimmage. Two sacks came on first down, forcing the Wildcats into third-down situations with an average distance of 11.1 yards to gain.
Freshman standout Anthony Hill led the charge with two sacks, reclaiming the team lead with 7.5 sacks on the season, just ahead of fellow freshman Colin Simmons. Hill’s stellar performance places him within striking distance of surpassing Longhorn legend Tony Brackens for the second-most sacks by a freshman in program history.
Secondary: 2 Interceptions
The Texas secondary continued its strong season, recording two interceptions, including Andrew Mukuba’s game-sealing pick. Mukuba now boasts four interceptions on the year, tying teammate Jahdae Barron for the team and SEC lead. This total is the highest for a Longhorn defensive back since Caden Sterns in 2018 and the most by any Texas defender since 2022.
Season Interception Milestone
Saturday’s performance brought Texas’ season total to 17 interceptions, tying them for No. 2 nationally. This is the best mark of the Pete Kwiatkowski era and highlights Texas’ steady improvement in recent years. The Longhorns have risen from seven interceptions in 2021—one of the lowest totals in school history—to potentially leading the nation as the season winds down.
With a relentless pass rush, a ball-hawking secondary, and a balanced offensive approach, Texas continues to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with heading into the season’s final stretch.
