No. 1 Texas left Columbia with a lopsided road win and a stack of fast swims to match it.
The Longhorns rolled past South Carolina, 225-73, on Friday afternoon at Carolina Natatorium, with senior Rex Maurer leading the way by winning three individual events and posting NCAA-qualifying marks in each. Maurer took the 200 fly in 1:42.50, the 500 free in 4:20.22 and the 400 IM in 3:44.81 as Texas improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in SEC competition.
Texas also got a big day from senior Will Modglin and sophomore Campbell McKean, who each picked up two individual victories and helped the Longhorns to a winning 400 medley relay. Modglin touched first in the 100 back at 45.96 and the 200 back at 1:42.22, while McKean won the 100 breast in 52.08 and the 200 breast in 1:53.46, both NCAA-qualifying swims.
The relay group of Modglin, McKean, Rowan Cox and Rafael Fente-Damers won the 400 medley relay in 3:03.45, also an NCAA-qualifying time. In all, Texas recorded six qualifying marks on the afternoon.
Freshman Kuzey Tuncelli added another highlight by winning the 1000 free in 8:45.65, with senior Aiden Hammer taking second in 8:48.31. Those times now sit sixth and seventh, respectively, on UT’s all-time top performers list.
Texas spread the rest of its wins across the lineup. Freshman Leon Kim took the 200 free in 1:33.43, while Fente-Damers finished second and senior Camden Taylor was third in the same time of 1:34.42. Nate Germonprez won the 50 free in 19.66, and Fente-Damers also claimed the 100 free in 42.35.
Cox won the 100 fly in 46.78, with Logan Walker second in 46.97 and Modglin third in 47.54. Maurer’s 500 free win came in 4:11.89, and junior Cooper Lucas was second in 3:44.81 in the 400 IM.
The Longhorns also took the 200 free relay, where Fente-Damers, Gould, Germonprez and Austin Carpenter finished in 1:18.26.
On the diving side, junior Jacob Jones placed third on 3-meter with 348.53 points and second on 1-meter with 330.98.
Texas returns to the pool when it hosts the Texas Diving Invitational on Nov. 12-14 at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center.
In Other News...
Texas Pass Rush Just Took Another Hit Before Mississippi State
Texas is heading into its meeting with Mississippi State with more questions on the edge than it would have liked. Colin Simmons, the Longhorns standout pass rusher, was downgraded to doubtful because of an ankle sprain, and Richard Wesley is already out, leaving the front seven thinner than usual at a spot where Texas normally likes to create disruption.
There is some relief on the other side of the availability report, with running back Hollywood Smothers and wide receiver Cam Coleman removed from the injury list and expected to play. Mississippi State, meanwhile, will be missing starting quarterback Kamario Taylor and wide receiver Ayden Williams, so the matchup still comes with some notable absences for both teams as kickoff approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Must Avoid One Trap As Mississippi State Changes The Equation
Mississippi States quarterback situation has changed the shape of this matchup in a way Texas has to respect, even if the Longhorns still look like the more complete team on paper. With the Bulldogs dealing with that injury at the most important position, the focus shifts to how Texas handles the trenches, where the offensive line will be tested by Mississippi States front seven and the Longhorns need to stay steady enough to let the rest of the offense settle in.
There is also plenty for Texas to attack through the air if it protects the football and keeps the penalties in check, two areas that can turn a manageable road game into something messier than it should be. On defense, the Longhorns will need clean work from the linebackers in particular against Fluff Bothwell, because Mississippi State may look for ways to stay balanced and make Texas earn every stop while the game plan adjusts around its quarterback issue. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Playoff Push Now Hinges On An Unlikely Offensive Lifeline
Texas kept its College Football Playoff push alive with a 34-27 win over Ole Miss, but the bigger story inside that victory was how the offense held together after starting left tackle Trevor Goosby went down with a season-ending knee injury. The line had to adjust on the fly, and Andre Cojoe was the one who stepped in to help stabilize things, giving the Longhorns a fighting chance to keep their quarterback upright and the run game moving.
Raleek Browns 157 rushing yards gave Texas the kind of ground production it needed in a tight SEC-style game, while Michael Terry added 41 yards and a touchdown to keep the pressure on Ole Miss. Even with the win, the Longhorns now have to figure out how much of this offensive success can travel forward if Goosby is out for good and Cojoe remains the answer on the edge. [Read more 🡒]