Texas notebook: RB Jonathon Brooks shines after CJ Baxter leaves game with injury

Though Texas finished with 158 yards on 39 carries in its 37-10 win over Rice, some stumbles in the running game could cause consternation heading into next weekend’s game at Alabama.

The Longhorns misfired on some short-yardage plays in the first half. Perhaps more concerning, prized freshman running back CJ Baxter suffered a rib injury that might affect his readiness for the Crimson Tide.

Baxter, a five-star recruit from Florida, started the game and flashed the form that drew offers from blue-blood programs across the country with 38 yards on five carries, including a 32-yard dash in the second quarter.

But that long run of the day for Texas came at a cost. Baxter landed awkwardly and did not return to the game. Steve Sarkisian said Baxter fell on the ball and hurt some ribs, but the coach didn’t know the extent of the damage immediately after the game.

“It looked like he landed on the ball and kind of had a rib issue that we just wanted to make sure we get checked out,” Sarkisian said. “I'm hopeful it's not serious, but we don't know for sure yet.”

Texas running back Jonathon Brooks tries to avoid a tackle by Rice cornerback Sean Fresch in the 37-10 win Saturday at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Brooks had 94 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown while seeing extended action after CJ Baxter suffered an injury.
Texas running back Jonathon Brooks tries to avoid a tackle by Rice cornerback Sean Fresch in the 37-10 win Saturday at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Brooks had 94 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown while seeing extended action after CJ Baxter suffered an injury.

Third-year player Jonathon Brooks ran for 52 yards on 12 carries and added 42 yards and a touchdown on two catches. Jaydon Blue proved effective on the ground with 55 yards on 10 carries. Keilan Robinson and Savion Red also saw action and combined for 21 yards on five touches.

“Jonathon had a nice play on the screen for the touchdown reception and ran the ball really effectively, (and) Jaydon Blue showed a lot of toughness today,” Sarkisian said. “Hopefully we can get CJ back healthy and ready to go for next week and have all four of those guys able to roll. They're very versatile players that provide a lot to us offensively that we can utilize.”

More: As Texas Longhorns open another football season, team elders prepare for one last ride

Texas struggles in short yardage, but Sarkisian trusts team

The Longhorns’ struggles in some short-yardage situations raise concerns, especially considering the upcoming trip to Alabama. On a fourth-and-2 from their own 33-yard line on the first drive, quarterback Quinn Ewers threw short after backpedaling under pressure. Late in the first half, Brooks got stuffed for no gain on fourth-and-1 at the Rice 23.

Despite turning the ball over on downs on both of those drives, Sarkisian said his decision reflects the faith he has in his team.

“I trust in our guys,” he said. “These guys have proven to me what they're capable of doing. At the end of the day, we need to be aggressive. We've got a lot of really good playmakers on this offense, and we need to create opportunities for them. I think the more opportunities we get, the more comfortable we get playing together, (and) we'll be able to take advantage of those moments.”

Sarkisian also said the dominant performance of his defense made for an easier decision. After Ewers’ incomplete pass on the fourth-down play early in the game, Rice lost 3 yards on its subsequent drive and had to settle for a field goal.

“You can do that (go on fourth down) when you got real faith in your defense,” he said.

Maalik Murphy named No. 2 quarterback

Second-year quarterback Maalik Murphy entered the game in the fourth quarter in relief of Ewers and threw for 40 yards on 3-of-5 passing. Freshman Arch Manning, who pushed Murphy for the No. 2 spot in preseason camp, did not see playing time despite some scattered chants from the student section.

True freshmen see extended action

At least 10 true freshmen took the field, with Baxter as the lone starter. Linebacker Anthony Hill had a quarterback pressure, Malik Muhammad rotated in at cornerback behind starters Terrance Brooks and Ryan Watts, and receivers Johntay Cook II and DeAndre Moore garnered snaps late in the game. Linebacker Liona Lefau and safety Derek Williams also impressed.

“I don't feel like at any moment any of (the freshmen) looked out of sorts,” Sarkisian said. “I think they looked comfortable. A lot of guys got in that needed that game experience, which is helpful to us, because they provide a lot of depth to our team.”

More: Texas football players 'ready to go out and show people' that team is worthy of the hype

Guard Cole Hutson misses game

The revamped offensive line played without Cole Hutson, last year’s starter at right guard, who was hurt in practice earlier in the week. Sophomore DJ Campbell earned the starting nod in preseason camp and played almost the entire game despite a knock that made him limp off the field. Hutson, a sophomore who started all 13 games last season, should be available against Alabama, Sarkisian said.

Ford snags another interception

Senior Jaylan Ford tied a school record a year ago with four interceptions by a linebacker, which led the team. The preseason Big 12 defensive player of the year picked up where he left off in the second quarter with a leaping, juggling interception of Rice quarterback JT Daniels that snuffed the Owls’ biggest threat of the first half.

Texas honors athletic department champions

Texas honored its two NCAA national champions and 11 Big 12 champions from the 2022-23 school year at halftime as well as all of its 2022-23 female athletes, who won the Women’s Capital One Cup for the second consecutive season. Texas won team NCAA championships in volleyball and women's outdoor track and field. Its Big 12 title teams were soccer, volleyball, men's swimming and diving, women's swimming and diving, women's basketball, men's basketball (tournament), women's tennis (regular season and tournament), men's tennis, rowing, women's outdoor track and field and baseball.

News and notes

Xavier Worthy paced all Texas receivers with seven catches for 90 yards. … Austin Jordan, a second-year defensive back, had his first career interception. … Former UT running back Bijan Robinson, who will make his NFL debut next week with the Atlanta Falcons, watched the game from the sidelines. Robinson rushed 258 times for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns and turned 19 receptions into 314 yards and two more scores last season while winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back. He ranks fourth on Texas’ all-time rushing list with 3,410 yards. … DeMarvion Overshown was among several other notable alumni on the sidelines. The former UT linebacker is on the injured reserved list for the Dallas Cowboys after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the preseason.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Starting RB CJ Baxter leaves with injury, but Jonathon Brooks shines