Texas got a scare late in the first half against UTSA when Ryan Wingo walked off with a trainer and headed to the locker room.
The Longhorns wideout had one catch for five yards before leaving near the end of the first half in Saturday’s non-conference finale in Austin. It wasn’t immediately clear when Wingo was hurt, and his status was something to monitor not just for the rest of the game, but with Texas set to open SEC play at Tennessee in Knoxville next weekend.
There was better news coming out of halftime. Wingo came back out with his helmet on during warmups before the third quarter and was on the field for the first play after the break.
Texas also entered the game dealing with a lengthy injury list. Among the players inactive against UTSA were defensive back Kobe Black, defensive lineman Justus Terry, defensive back Xavier Filsaime and tight end Nick Townsend.
Reserve defensive lineman Elijah Ali and safety Yaheim Riley were also out.
On the positive side, freshman running back Derrek Cooper was back in uniform after an ankle injury suffered in the season opener against Texas State. Cooper dressed against Ohio State, but he did not take a snap.
Linebacker Markus Boswell, a transfer from Akron, was also available after being in street clothes for the Ohio State game.
Wingo has been one of Texas’ most productive targets early this season, piling up 11 catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns through the first two games.
In Other News...
Texas Heads Into SEC Play With One Big Offensive Concern
Texas wrapped up its non-conference slate with a 30-6 win over UTSA, and the bigger takeaway for Steve Sarkisians group was that it came out healthy ahead of SEC play. The defense did what a No. 1 team should do, holding the Roadrunners to 143 total yards, while the offense found enough bursts to keep control of the game and move on to the next challenge.
The passing game, though, still looked like the area most likely to test Texas once the league schedule begins. Arch Manning had a productive line, but the rhythm never really settled in, even as the Longhorns got a boost from freshman Derrick Cooper Jr. in the backfield, where he gave Texas another meaningful option alongside the more established pieces. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Has One Clear Priority Against UTSA Before SEC Play
The Longhorns head into their matchup with UTSA with momentum and a chance to clean up a few more details before the schedule gets a lot less forgiving. Texas has looked the part through its first two games, and oddsmakers are expecting a comfortable night against a Roadrunners team that has struggled to hold up defensively. With conference play looming, this is the kind of game the Longhorns want to control early and use to sharpen themselves for what comes next.
A win would push Texas to 3-0 and give the program another chance to build rhythm before SEC competition arrives. The bigger question is not whether the Longhorns should win, but how complete they can look while doing it, especially against an opponent whose defensive issues have already been exposed. For Texas, the priority is clear: handle business, stay healthy, and leave no doubt before the real tests begin. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Suddenly Has A Major Defensive Concern Before Tennessee
Texas defensive front already had a big enough week ahead with Tennessee on the schedule, and now the edge-rusher rotation has become a little harder to read. Colin Simmons, one of the key pieces off the edge, was spotted on the sideline against UTSA in street clothes, which immediately raised eyebrows for a defense that has leaned on its pass rush to set the tone.
Steve Sarkisian did not offer an update on Simmons at halftime, and there has been no official word since, leaving the Longhorns with an open question at a position where they had added depth this season. With Tennessee coming next week, Texas can at least point to that added insurance, but how much of it gets tested may depend on whether Simmons is available. [Read more 🡒]