AUSTIN — Just a few weeks ago, the Texas Longhorns were coming off a road loss to Maryland and struggled to top a Tulsa team. Now they’re 5-1 and in the top 10.
“It’s been challenging but fun because of the response of our guys," Texas Head Coach Tom Herman said at a press conference following Texas' victorious outcome in the Red River Rivalry.
Texas is coming off its most dominant game, a 48-45 win in the Red River Showdown, despite the University of Oklahoma Sooners’ attempt at a comeback.
“Really pleased with resilience of our team to be able to win a game in that fashion," Herman said.
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Herman attributes that to the toughness of his team.
“We’re not elite, fast on offense right now but we are playing to our strengths really well," Herman said. "We have size and strength at skill positions.”
Herman points to the third and 20 call in the third quarter when Lil’Jordan Humphrey was stopped 14 yards shy of the first down before a swarm of Longhorns pushed him to within two yards of the first down. The Horns would convert fourth and two and later score a touchdown.
“That was a snapshot of our culture of toughness, not giving up, our strain," he said.
In typical Herman fashion, he explains it's just one game. They've got at least six more on the schedule and none of those are guaranteed wins.
“I don’t think we’re at a place right now where you can way winning is expected. And that’s okay," Herman said. "Winning right now is the fruit of the labor of the week of preparation. Standards versus expectations I think are two different things.”
"Just that word "expect" in my mind breeds entitlement, it breeds arrogance. We don't expect anything other than what we've earned."
Number 9 Texas hosts Baylor University Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Darrell K. Royal Stadium.