Last week, Texas Longhorns tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders seemed to be missing in action against the Wyoming Cowboys. However, in a thrilling showdown against the Baylor Bears on Saturday, Sanders showed out for his team.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian revealed that the team's game plan didn't initially revolve around Sanders as the primary target. The defense's coverage dictated the direction of the ball, leading to Sanders' impressive performance. Sarkisian emphasized that the Longhorns' multitude of offensive weapons allows for different players to shine on a weekly basis.
"The ball's getting spread around," Sarkisian stated after Texas' dominant 38-6 victory. "Next week, I don't know who will be, what you want to call, the featured guy. What I do know is, we have a guy or two on our team, Xavier (Worthy) most notably, garners a lot of attention. When that happens, the other guys got to make those plays, and the quarterback's got to find those guys predicated off the coverage. I think that we're doing that well."
In the game against Baylor, Texas showcased their offensive versatility with eight different players catching a pass, five players carrying the ball, and even three players throwing a pass. Notably, Xavier Worthy connected with Ja'Tavion Sanders for a remarkable 35-yard play in the second quarter, highlighting the team's dynamic abilities.
Surprisingly, tight end Gunnar Helm also made his presence felt with two catches for 37 yards, adding to the Longhorns' offensive firepower.
Worthy holds the title as the team's top receiver, already having secured 19 receptions this season. This has drawn significant attention from opposing defenses that have been forced to let up on other receivers, in order to contain Worthy.
Sarkisian acknowledged that the away games against Alabama and Baylor truly unveiled the depth of talent within the Longhorns' roster. This abundance of offensive weapons is a positive problem that Sarkisian had hoped for since the beginning of the season.
"I was hoping coming into the season that we were going to have an array of players and an arsenal to where, if you really want to take No. 1 out of the game, these other guys can hurt you," Sarkisian said.
The rise of Ja'Tavion Sanders and the unity of Texas' offense are testament to the team's strength and adaptability. As the season progresses, the Longhorns will continue to surprise opponents with their versatile playmakers, led by the talented Xavier Worthy.
