Texas Finds Its Pass Rush Without Colin Simmons
Texas got seven sacks while beating Mississippi State 31-3, even without leading pass-rusher Colin Simmons. Rasheem Biles had three sacks as the Longhorns prepare for their final four regular-season games.
By November 3, Texas had gone from two games without a sack to a seven-sack performance in a 31-3 victory over Mississippi State. The Longhorns were still without Colin Simmons, who has missed the past two games with an injury and leads the SEC with 10.5 sacks despite his absence.
Five Texas players recorded sacks. Inside linebacker Rasheem Biles led with three, while the other sacks came from Zina Umeozulu, Justin Cryer, Colton Vasek and Justus Terry, one apiece. Texas had a bigger sack total in its 20-17 win over Tennessee, when it recorded 10.
Biles said he spoke with defensive coordinator Will Muschamp about getting more opportunities to rush the passer. Muschamp agreed to give him more freedom, Biles said. Against Mississippi State, Biles contributed beyond the pass rush, finishing with eight tackles and four tackles for loss while also dropping into coverage.
The result offers Texas a pass-rushing option beyond Simmons as it enters its final four regular-season games. The Longhorns are scheduled to visit Missouri, LSU and Texas A&M and host Arkansas. A loss in any of those games would likely end their College Football Playoff hopes.
Texas next travels to face Missouri at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 11 a.m. CT. The Longhorns will seek another win over a ranked opponent as they build their playoff case.