Iowa State vs. Texas: Game Grades, Analysis for the Longhorns

Thanks to some huge plays from quarterback Tyrone Swoopes, the Texas Longhorns were able to hold off Iowa State by a 48-45 margin.

Flipping the script on itself, Texas relied on its offense to bail out a defense that struggled to contain the Cyclones' all-around attack. Iowa State quarterback Sam Richardson threw for 335 yards and three touchdowns on the night, needing only 51 seconds to lead a 75-yard drive to tie the game late in the contest.

But Swoopes had every answer, especially in the fourth quarter. The big sophomore led consecutive scoring drives on Texas' final two possessions, lacing back-to-back throws down the sideline to set up a game-winning field goal from Nick Rose.

Even though we're still waiting on a complete effort from this team, it's apparent that Swoopes and the offense can pull their weight.

Position Unit	First Half	Second Half
Passing Offense	B-	A
Rushing Offense	A	A
Passing Defense	C+	D+
Rushing Defense	B-	D
Special Teams	A	A-
Coaching	C	B+

Game Grades for the Longhorns

Passing Offense

Swoopes came out dealing, hitting Marcus Johnson and John Harris for big plays early. He was obviously confident, which came back to bite him on an inexcusable interception in the red zone. Between that throw and the fourth quarter, Swoopes offset nice plays with poor decisions. He could have easily tossed one or two more picks but kept doing enough to put up points.

That said, the final two drives are the reason you can forgive Swoopes for his mistakes. The sophomore locked in when Texas needed him most, turning in the best late-game performance the Horns have enjoyed in at least five seasons.

The throws for 39 and then 29 down the sideline to set up the winning score were picture perfect. He was the difference in this game.

Rushing Offense

Texas averaged 4.9 yards per carry as a team, getting four touchdowns from ball-carriers Malcolm Brown, Johnathan Gray and Swoopes

Swoopes led the way with 95 yards on 14 carries, running the zone read with confidence late in the game. Brown and Gray were both effective from the onset, and Texas probably could have milked that more when drives were stalling.

Aside from John Harris' fumble on a jet sweep, this was the best all-around effort we have seen all season.

Passing Defense

Had Texas lost, this group would shoulder most of the blame, even when you consider Dylan Haines' pick-six and Duke Thomas' second-half pickoff.

Richardson averaged only 6.27 yards per attempt, but it felt like much more. And it should have been, because he missed open receivers and his receivers committed some key drops.

Mykkele Thompson was abused all night, and Cedric Reed is invisible aside from when he's giving the opponent 15 penalty yards. The pass rush did get home in some key spots during the second half, but it never delivered the knockout punch.

Rushing Defense

It's tough to figure out where Jason Hall's absence was felt the most, because the defense was much worse without him.

The safe bet is against the run, where Texas relies on the violent safety to come down and end plays that reach the second level. Aaron Wimberly had a field day in the second half, slicing and dicing his way to 110 yards on just 14 carries.

Iowa State wore out the Texas front by running 93 plays, and it showed late.

Special Teams

For once, Texas' special teams avoided the big mistake as a positive for this team. Rose drilled a career-long field goal from 45 yards out, as well as the 21-yard game-winner. 

Wimberly had one big punt return in the fourth, but the defense erased the mistake with a stop.

Coaching

Shawn Watson and Joe Wickline deserve a lot of credit for what we saw from the offense. The line consistently opened up big running lanes and kept Swoopes clean throughout the night. Watson also showed a ton of guts by letting Swoopes take his shots on the winning drive.

The defense was shaky, and this team still makes dumb mistakes, but the arrow is pointing up.