Rain or shine, expect the Longhorns to adapt to any situation vs. Florida

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Early in his tenure as Texas head coach, Steve Sarkisian didn’t know if his players could make adjustments and adapt to situations, maximizing efficiency and winning games in different ways.

He knows now.

It’s going to be warm, muggy and potentially rainy on Saturday when the Longhorns open Southeastern Conference play Saturday against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Sarkisian said Thursday that the program has evolved into a multifaceted machine that can win in a variety of ways. He said it took a little while, but now he’s confident that his team can get the job done in multiple ways. For example, if it’s raining at “The Swamp,” they’ll know how to tweak their game.

“We’re very versatile, and it started about two years ago, where we felt like we could win games in a variety of ways,” he said. “Early on, I didn’t know if we could. We’ve created a team that can go in any direction needed to win the game now.”

It’s about playing complementary football, like most things are with Sarkisian. Having all three phases of the game — offense, defense and special teams — working together is critical to holding a team to a low score and winning a defensive struggle or lighting up the scoreboard and coming out on top during a shootout when the situation calls for it.

He has the players now to be flexible with game plans, but also to change things at a moment’s notice to take advantage of what’s currently happening.

“That’s something to have to learn a little bit when you start getting into the playoffs,” he said, “and the really good teams start butting heads. Are you comfortable winning a game that’s a one-score game and has more of an NFL feel to it, that’ll come down to one possession?”

The team practiced that scenario Thursday, Sarkisian said, and that’s all part of how he’s built a team that has an identity of adaptability.

“It’s something we’ve worked hard on and put our players in very stressful situations,” he said. “We’ve spent a lot of time on it, and we’ve built a team that could handle that.”

Thursday’s injury report

Wide receiver Emmett Mosley V could see the field for the first time this year against the Gators after a leg injury had kept him on the sideline during the nonconference schedule. He, along with running back Quintrevion Wisner and defensive backs Kobe Black and Xavier Filsaime, is listed as probable on the latest SEC injury report.

Mosley, Wisner and Black were all listed as questionable when the initial report came out Wednesday.

Sarkisian said Mosley brings a dynamic and physical style to the outside.

“He’s sudden, and he’s an elite blocker. He gives us a third receiver that has some length to him,” Sarkisian said. “And he’s got experience. He’s a guy who has played. We’re starting to formulate the group that we thought we’d have.”

Mosley has a “pro’s mentality,” Sarkisian said, and has done everything he can to get healthy to suit up against the Gators. It appears he’ll be able to do so, barring any setbacks.

Defensive back Malik Muhammad took a step backward, however, and was downgraded from probable to questionable. Running back CJ Baxter remains doubtful to play Saturday.

For the Gators, their report was unchanged from Wednesday’s with seven players listed as out, including No. 2 running back Ja’Kobi Jackson and starting defensive tackle Caleb Banks, among others.

The injury reports for every SEC game are submitted on Wednesdays and updated every Thursday and Friday night, then 90 minutes before the game kicks off on Saturday.

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