In this edition of Crunch Time, we’ll analyze how Texas performed on third downs and in the red zone, two areas that are key for overall success.

Third downs

2-for-14 (14.3 percent)

Texas struggled heavily on third down with an overall conversion rate of 14.3 percent. It wasn’t until 8:15 left in the game that Texas converted their first third down, a three-yard completion from Quinn Ewers to Ryan Wingo.

Texas fell behind early and failed to win on first and second down, which created obvious passing situations on third down. The Longhorns elected to throw the ball on 10-of-14 third downs with little success, completing just three passes for a total of 12 yards.

Georgia’s defense was able to capitalize on these third-down scenarios by freeing up pass rushers and disguising coverages to successfully create havoc. In the game, Texas was sacked twice on and turned the ball over twice, a clear indicator of the chaos that Georgia created on third downs.

So far this season, Texas has struggled moving the chains when penalties or miscues help to create third and distance. The early struggles against Georgia on third down demonstrate a continuation of this trend.

On Texas’ first third down of the game, the Longhorns faced a 3rd and 9. Texas spread the field with a three-wide receiver look while Georgia opted to run Cover 2 man with a spy on Ewers. The Texas offensive line created a favorable pocket for Ewers. However, no wide receiver nor Gunnar Helm was able to create separation from their Georgia defender.

Ewers preemptively bailed on the pocket, which gave Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, the spy, the green light to chase down Ewers and prompt a throw away.

On the next drive, a false start by Matthew Golden pushed a 3rd and 4 into a 3rd and 9. Ewers and Golden couldn’t connect, and the Longhorns punted.

The ensuing drive ended even more poorly for Texas. Facing 3rd and 5 at their own 27-yard line Texas failed to pick up a blindside corner blitz and Ewers would fumble the ball, setting up Georgia to take an early 7-0 lead.

Georgia strip sack on Ewers 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/6kU2DxB3AT

— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) October 20, 2024

Texas used running back Jaydon Blue as an added blocker in protection, but it did not matter. This strip sack was created by the creativity of the blitz. Texas had the advantage as Georgia only rushed five players. The disguised location and timing of the blitz is what created the turnover.

The third-down woes for Texas continue din the second quarter. The first three third downs for Texas resulted in two sacks and an interception. At that point, Sarkisian opted to give Ewers a chance to reset by putting in Arch Manning.

The struggles continued.

Heading into halftime, Texas was 0-for-7 on third downs having given up three sacks and turned the ball over twice.

Georgia's Mykel Williams gets the strip-sack on Quinn Ewers while working against left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. Banks replaces his hands quickly after Williams' swipe, but the DE already has the angle through the LT's outside shoulder. #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2025 #2025NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/6Jv78IwO7C

— Sam Teets (@Sam_Teets33) October 21, 2024

To start the third quarter, the M.O. was different. Facing a 23-point deficit, the game plan changed in an attempt to mount a comeback. Third down no longer became the final offensive play of the drive but another opportunity to get close enough for a fourth down attempt. Sarkisian could run the ball on third and intermediate because he knew he was going for it on fourth down. Texas attempted five fourth downs in the second half, converting only one.

Unfortunately, the changed mindset did not create success. A key third down occurred on Texas’ second offensive possession of the second half. After scoring to cut the lead to 23-8 and forcing a Georgia punt, Texas was knocking on the door with the ball on the Georgia 29-yard line facing a 3rd and 5.

Sarkisian called a read option with Ewers opting to hand the ball off to Wisner as the Bulldogs scraped a linebacker off the edge behind the read defender and center Jake Majors was unable to execute his reach block on outside zone as a Georgia defensive tackle beat him badly.

Using Ewers to option off a defender was ineffective in slowing down the pursuit of the backside defenders because the linebacker scraped so quickly, forcing the give read, one of the many plays during the game when Georgia called a defense like they knew Sarkisian’s play call.

As a whole, Texas failed to diagnose the Georgia defense which led to poor execution. This was an issue on every down that was only magnified on third down. On third downs specifically, the Longhorns routinely lost at the line of scrimmage thanks to either missed assignments, failed blocking, or some combination of the two.

The Longhorns will need to improve on third downs. The ability to extend drives is crucial for putting points on the board. For the season, Texas has converted 38-of-86 (44.2 percent) third downs, which ranks 38th in the nation as the conversion rate took a big hit with the team’s worst third-down performance since going 2-of-15 against Kansas State last year.