Texas Longhorns Gear Up for Sam Houston in Upcoming Matchup

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns will host the Sam Houston Bearkats this Saturday, September 20, in their final non-conference game of the season. After a recent victory against UTEP, the Longhorns are looking to improve their performance at Royal-Memorial Stadium, where they currently stand at 2-1.

Despite last week’s win, the atmosphere in the stadium was less than celebratory. Texas quarterback Arch Manning struggled, completing only a handful of passes and throwing 10 consecutive incompletions. The team’s starting running back left the game early with a hamstring injury, which led to subpar performances from backups Jerrick Gibson and James Simon.

This Saturday’s game marks the first night game of the season for Texas, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Central Time. The Longhorns aim to not only please their home crowd but also shake off the worries from their previous matchups. The Bearkats, who currently sit at 0-3, have shown improvement since joining Conference USA three years ago, achieving a record of 10-4 last year.

Phil Longo, Sam Houston’s first-year coach, plans to employ strategies similar to those used by previous teams against Texas. He aims to halt the Longhorns’ running game and force Manning to rely more on his passing ability. The Bearkats are hoping for a strong showing despite their slow start this season.

In their last encounter, Texas routed Sam Houston 56-3 back in 2006. This time, the Longhorns are expected to win with a 40½ point spread. Players to watch include Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Sam Houston’s quarterback Mabrey Mettauer, who has returned from injury and is looking to make an impact.

Weather conditions for Saturday’s game are expected to be hot and sunny, with temperatures reaching the mid-90s. Television coverage will be provided by the SEC Network, and local radio stations will also cover the game.

The Longhorns hope to rectify their offensive issues and build momentum heading into SEC play, which starts on October 4 against Florida.