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Texas Football: 3 takeaways from heartbreaker in 2023 Red River Rivalry

By Dante Pryor

Sep 30, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) runs for a touchdown during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) runs for a touchdown during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Red River Takeaways
October 7, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm (85) makes a catch for a first down as Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Key Lawrence (12) and defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) defend during the first half at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Texas made some defensive errors in critical moments

Oklahoma’s tempo seemed to give Texas fits all game. The Longhorns had no answer for Dillon Gabriel. Texas hardly pressured Gabriel, sacking him only once. Also, they had no answer for his legs. Gabriel was as effective with his legs as he was with his arms. Texas allowed three plays over 25 yards and eight plays over 10 yards.

It was the breakdowns in critical moments that cost the Longhorns, however. Texas lost track of Gabriel on a 44-yard run. Fortunately for Texas, Oklahoma missed the field goal. No breakdown was worse than losing Nic Anderson for the go-ahead touchdown.

Oklahoma forced turnovers

By default, turnovers are drive killers. Oklahoma forced three turnovers, all by Quinn Ewers. Though Oklahoma capitalized on just one of those turnovers, they stalled three Texas drives. Oklahoma did a better job of coming up with plays that denied Texas at crucial moments in the game than the Longhorns did.

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