Texas Football: Despite falling to the USC Trojans, the Longhorns are back

After being trapped in mediocrity for almost a decade, Texas Football pushed the USC Trojans to the brink. Despite the loss, it’s official: Texas is back

When the Texas Longhorns lost to Maryland in their Week 1 home opener, the Tom Herman era looked doomed from the start. For years, Longhorn fans have been hearing about how the next coach would be the one to turn the program around. First it was Charlie Strong, then it was Herman. Both times the Longhorn faithful were let down by mediocre performances.

But in the Longhorns Week 3 game against the USC Trojans, Tom Herman’s squad put together a game that Longhorns fan should wear as a badge of honor.

In the first meeting between the two teams since the 2006 Rose Bowl, the Longhorns fought a top-5 team to the very end. After being down for much of the game, Texas pulled out a miraculous final drive, filled with unlikely fourth-down conversions, that resulted in a tiptoe end-zone touchdown by wide receiver Armanti Foreman with 45 seconds to go.

More: Watch Texas takes the lead with 45 seconds remaining on Sam Ehlinger TD pass

Though the Trojans did end up tying the game at 17 all and taking it to overtime. Still the Longhorn’s ability to rise the occasion under such severe pressure should be recognized. Texas showed flashes of what made Herman’s Houston Cougars squad a giant killer in the American Conference.

Much like in last year’s Penn State squad, who struggled with mediocre play until their statement win against Ohio State, Texas will be written off after two early loss. Now though, Herman’s squad has put their collective trust in freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger. He is the hope for the future, and that future looks brighter than ever right now.

Even in defeat, the Longhorns confidently proved that they belong in the conversation of the top programs in college football. Herman is just beginning his legacy with the Longhorns. It will only get better.