Texas Football: 3 takeaways from a close home win against Iowa State

2. Takeaways for Texas football

Wins like these are culture builders for a football program. One of the commentators mentioned, “Texas cannot be back until they beat Iowa State.” This statement is valid for two reasons. First, the Longhorns have a better roster than the Cyclones. Texas has tended to play down to its competition.

Second, Texas needs to prove it can win in various ways. Today was a win they had to grind. The game was close, and they needed a late score to win the game. Hunter Dekkers threw a touchdown pass late in the third quarter, and the Cyclones took a 21-17 into the fourth quarter.

Quinn Ewers orchestrated an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown draft for what would be the game-winning score. Longhorns’ defender Anthony Cook forced a fumble late in the fourth quarter to give the Longhorns the win. Bijan Robinson ran for the clock-ending first down.

Ewers was not flashy in this game, but he was efficient, and — most importantly– he did not turn the football over. Robinson did not score a touchdown but picked up some critical first downs to keep drives moving.

This win was critical for the Longhorns as they continue to build.