AUSTIN (KXAN) — Everybody suffers when someone commits a penalty, and that’s the point Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian plans to make very clear during practice this week.
Through two games this season, Texas is one of the most penalized teams in the country, racking up 18 flags for 165 yards. The volume puts them tied with six other teams for 118th among FBS teams in fewest penalties and 126th in average penalty yards per game with 82.5.
When talking with reporters Monday, Sarkisian described his thought process while he tried to figure out what the deal was.
“Where was our mental intensity? Where was our focus? I know human nature is the way it is, coming off a huge game on the road, and you want to relax. We don’t get to relax,” he said. “We need to play with the right type of discipline during the week. All of that starts with me. We need to improve upon that, and we will.”
Texas was flagged 12 times for 115 yards in its 38-7 win over San Jose State on Sept. 6, and Sarkisian said it was a combination of players forgetting their fundamentals and trying to do more than the situation called for.
“We had big penalties in all three phases,” he said. “It was across the board.”
One way he plans to address the issue in practice is the tried-and-true method employed by coaches of all sports at all levels — punish the entire team when someone commits a penalty.
“Individuals get the public humiliation of having their number called out on national television, but who suffers? All of us,” he said. “In-game, the team suffers, and there are consequences. We need to have consequences in practice.”
One of the players who Sarkisian said is “trying a little too hard” is sophomore edge rusher Colin Simmons. He’s been hit with some big penalties early in the season, and Sarkisian said Simmons just needs to let the game come to him. Sarkisian kept Simmons on the sideline for part of the first half after three penalties, and didn’t start him in the second half.
“That got his attention,” he said. “He just needed to settle down. You don’t get 10 sacks in one play, and you have to play within the confines of the defense.”
Simmons didn’t commit a penalty in the second half and was credited with half of a sack. Clearly, Sarkisian’s strategy worked.
Injury update on running back Quintrevion Wisner
Wisner has been dealing with a leg injury, Sarkisian said, and didn’t play against San Jose State. He’s not worried long-term about Wisner, who is the only returning running back in the SEC who rushed for 1,000 yards last season, but he’s hesitant to put him back on the field before he’s ready.
“I’d say right now that he’s doubtful for Saturday,” Sarkisian said. “I’m just not in a rush to push guys back out there if they aren’t 100%. I just know how long this thing goes. Is the juice worth the squeeze right now to get him back out there? We’re rehabbing him and trying to get him ready to go, and then we’ll make a decision closer to the ballgame.”
Wisner was Texas’ leading rusher against Ohio State in the season opener, gaining 80 yards on 16 carries. CJ Baxter took the share of the rushing load against the Spartans, packing the ball 13 times for 64 yards. Through two games, no running backs for the Longhorns have scored rushing touchdowns.
Parker Livingstone named SEC freshman of the week
Sarkisian has been telling everybody he can all season about how great a training camp wide receiver Parker Livingstone had, and then he showed it against the Spartans.
Livingstone caught four passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the win over San Jose State, hauling in an 84-yard score from Arch Manning in the first quarter to jumpstart an offense that got off to a sluggish start. The SEC office announced Monday that he was the conference’s choice for freshman of the week.
What Sarkisian liked most about Livingstone’s performance is that he was able to shrug off a holding penalty a couple of plays before the explosive touchdown.
“It speaks to his mental fortitude,” Sarkisian said. “He didn’t get down on himself and he went right back to playing. He’s playing fast and confident right now, and he provides a real spark for us.”
With Texas’ only touchdown against Ohio State, Livingstone leads the team with three receiving touchdowns through two games after not recording a reception last season.
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