Steve Sarkisian lauds the undeniable toughness of his Texas team
18 Missouri Tigers is a real stretch, but it was much more believable when head coach Steve Sarkisian lauded the undeniable toughness of his football team after securing a fourth ranked win this season as the Longhorns navigate a nine-game SEC schedule for the first time.
Key points
- While nickel back Graceson Littleton was able to battle through 51 snaps after he was listed as questionable on the early injury reports, cornerback Kade Phillips played 33 snaps, showing some toughness of his own — Phillips was targeted three times in coverage, but didn’t give up a reception.
- Texas did it largely by relying on the depth accumulated through years of highly-ranked recruiting classes, as well as key transfer portal additions stepping forward, like running back Raleek Brown, who caught the go-ahead touchdown pass on a wheel route and put the game away with his eight-yard rushing touchdown with 1:25 remaining.
- “The DNA of this organization is mental and physical toughness and I think that poured out of our pores today in this ball game,” Sarkisian said.
Now through the fifth game in the eight-game stretch without a bye week to end the regular season, Texas is banged up, playing without three key starters and receiving just 18 snaps from star edge Colin Simmons in his return from a high ankle sprain.
Additional details
- COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 07: Raleek Brown #0 of the Texas Longhorns tries to break free on a run in the third quarter of an SEC football game between the Texas Longhorns and Missouri Tigers on Nov 7, 2026 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO.
- “If you’d have told me we walk in here without Trevor Goosby, without Cam Coleman, and a very limited Colin Simmons, with some other banged up receivers — by the way, those other three are probably going to go in the top 15 picks of the draft — I don’t know how many other teams could do that,” Sarkisian said.
- As Roberson received his first career start, Missouri predictably targeted the inconsistent senior regularly, but beyond a pass-interference penalty on the first drive, Roberson mostly held up well.
- Over the last three games, Vasek has played half of his season total of snaps, recording four tackles (two solo) and coming up with a big sack in his 18 snaps against the Tigers.
- He provides a ton of energy, not just to the offense, but the entire team.” At wide receiver, Emmett Mosley V led the Longhorns with 85 receiving yards on five catches.
How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →
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