The Texas Longhorns delivered a statement performance with a commanding 55-0 victory over Sam Houston State on Saturday night. However, head coach Steve Sarkisian’s post-game comments about his injured defensive backs cast a shadow over the dominant display at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Steve Sarkisian Explains Texas DBs Xavier Filsaime, Kobe Mack, and Warren Roberson’s Absences
Even though the Longhorns had a great victory, Sarkisian came up with some news about his secondary depth. Three key defensive backs were absent from the match due to various injuries that have been nagging the players throughout the week.
When asked about the missing defenders, Sarkisian addressed the situation directly. “On the injured DBs – Filsaime, Mack and Roberson, all of those guys were nicked up… I didn’t feel like it was necessary to force them out there,” the Texas coach explained.
On the injured DBs – Filsaime, Mack and Roberson
“All of those guys were nicked up… I didn’t feel like it was necessary to force them out there.”
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) September 21, 2025
The careful strategy was logical, considering the fast pace at which the game flipped to their advantage. Since Texas went on to an outstanding early lead, it was not necessary to expose the rest of the team, who were already injured.
Xavier Filsaime has been dealing with a shoulder issue that kept him questionable leading up to the game. His absence was particularly felt, given his experience in the secondary. Warren Roberson and Kobe Mack also joined the injury list, leaving Texas thin at crucial defensive back positions.
Offensive Explosion Masks Defensive Concerns
Sarkisian’s pregame expectations were fully realized as Texas executed flawlessly. “I would love to play fast, physical, tough, smart football,” he stated before kickoff.
The Longhorns played very well on offense. Arch Manning had his best game of the season, completing 18 of 21 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns. He also added two rushing touchdowns in the first half.
The offense finally clicked on all cylinders, scoring on its first nine possessions and accumulating 607 total yards. Manning connected with Ryan Wingo for touchdown passes of 53 and 13 yards in the third quarter, showcasing this offense’s explosive potential.
Texas dominated the game entirely across the board. The Longhorns outgained Sam Houston 607-113 yards while holding the Bearkats to just 27 rushing yards. The defense forced Sam Houston into a dismal 2-of-13 performance on third downs.
The 55-0 victory improved Texas to 3-1 heading into their bye week. While the performance boosted Manning and the entire team’s confidence, the injury concerns in the secondary present challenges as SEC play approaches.
Texas opens conference play at Florida on October 4. A healthy secondary will be crucial for success in the demanding SEC schedule ahead.