The Texas Longhorns, ranked No. 1 in the nation, traveled to Neyland Stadium on Saturday and secured a 20‑17 win over the No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers. The game featured a memorable moment when President Donald Trump attended, underscoring the significance of the matchup for the state’s top football program.
Key performances
Linebacker Colin Simmons tied a Texas record with five sacks, matching the mark set by Shane Dronett in 1990. His dominant play helped the Longhorns total ten sacks on the day. Quarterback Quinn Ewers, while modest about his own performance, praised the defense: “It’s not about me. I didn’t play very well, but our team played great. Defense played well.”
Running back Raleek Brown contributed 67 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a decisive four‑yard score with 5:41 left that gave Texas the winning margin. Kicker Giannis Spetic added two field goals, and the defense held Tennessee to just 17 points despite a late 30‑yard touchdown pass from Vols quarterback Brandon Faizon to Mike Matthews.
President Trump’s presence
President Trump’s attendance highlighted the national interest in the game. Coach Steve Sarkisian noted the tradition of celebratory cigars at Tennessee games, joking that his suit might “stink whenever I get on the plane.” The President’s support was seen as an endorsement of Texas’ pursuit of a national championship.
Game highlights and penalties
The contest was tightly contested, with both teams committing numerous penalties. Texas accumulated 11 penalties for 115 yards, seven of which occurred in the first half. Tennessee’s offense, which averages 516.3 yards per game, was limited to 145 passing yards, and the Vols failed to convert key opportunities, including an on‑side kick recovered by Texas linebacker Arion Carter.
In the final seconds, Tennessee attempted a Hail Mary pass to Travis Smith Jr., but Texas defensive back Jelani McDonald knocked the ball down, sealing the victory.
Coaches’ reactions
Coach Sarkisian praised his team’s resilience: “We win big games around here, we do. I know we don’t win them all, but we won a lot of them. And what an incredible performance by our defense.” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel acknowledged the loss, saying, “Up front we weren’t good enough. Quarterback was not good enough. We didn’t play smart enough, but I’ll take the effort.”
Looking ahead
Texas will enjoy a week off before facing Oklahoma in Dallas on Oct. 10, while Tennessee hosts Auburn on Oct. 3. Both programs remain in the early stages of their SEC campaigns, and the Longhorns’ victory keeps them unbeaten at 4‑0.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
