No. 5 Texas Bounces Back, Avoids Vanderbilt Trap

Texas-Vanderbilt — © Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The No.5-ranked Texas Longhorns (7-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) survived an SEC road challenge with a 27-24 victory over No. 25 Vanderbilt (5-3, 2-2) on Oct. 26 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., bouncing back from a crucial loss to No. 2 Georgia.

The win helps Texas keep pace with the other contenders in the SEC while dealing a heavy hit to Vanderbilt's slim hopes.

Texas-Vanderbilt Game Summary

Texas fans got a small scare early in the game as quarterback Quinn Ewers' second-down pass was intercepted by defensive back Martel Hight, giving the Commodores the ball at the Texas 31-yard line. It set up a rushing touchdown by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. It was Ewers' third interception thrown in the last three games.

However, Texas found a rhythm with its quick screen game on the ensuing drive, tying the game by going 75 yards in 4:03 as Ewers connected with wide receiver Matthew Golden in the end zone. The scoring drive was the first of three scoring drives for Texas in the first half. Ewers completed 19 of his first 21 pass attempts for 211 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception, and the Longhorns led 21-10 at the break.

Vanderbilt intercepted Ewers again in the second half on another tipped pass. It led to a Pavia touchdown pass to wide receiver Junior Sherrill to bring the Commodores back within a score.

However, Vanderbilt was never able to get any closer as the Texas defense did its [part to limit the Commodores' offense. Texas came away with 3 turnovers against a unit that had only committed 2 all year. The Longhorns survived against one of the more surprising teams in the SEC this year.

Ewers finished 27-of-37 passing for 288 yards, 3 TDs — 1 to Golden and 2 to Deandre Moore Jr. — and 2 interceptions.

Pavia accounted for 210 total yards, 3 total touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Linebacker Bryan Longwell led Vanderbilt with 11 tackles.

Turning Point

Trialing 24-17 and facing a fourth-and-2 on his own 35-yard line with 5:05 left in the game, Pavia scrambled to avoid a Texas pass rush and heaved the ball high in the air. Texas came down with an interception and added a field goal to make it a 27-17 game in the final minutes.

Vanderbilt did mount a late touchdown drive as Pavia found tight end Eli Stowers for a touchdown, but it could not recover the onside kick.

What it Means

Texas keeps its SEC title and College Football Playoff hopes alive. The Longhorns were slightly more effective on the ground than they were against Georgia. But they also displayed their potent passing attack with ease and re-established its great defense.

The Longhorns have a bye week, then face Florida (4-3, 2-2) on Nov. 9. Their biggest remaining game is a Nov. 30 showdown against archrival No. 14 Texas A&M (6-1, 4-0), who happens to be in first place in the SEC.

Vanderbilt sees its slim SEC title hopes slip away. The Commodores had been a hot team and were riding momentum off an upset of Alabama, but it seemed to have caught up with them. They can still have an incredibly successful season, especially by their standards.