{"id":1001291,"date":"2026-09-15T07:58:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T07:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/1001291\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T07:58:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T07:58:13","slug":"has-texas-longhorns-football-fixed-last-years-penalty-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/1001291\/","title":{"rendered":"Has Texas Longhorns football fixed last year’s penalty problem?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the Longhorns<\/a> turn the page to the UTSA Roadrunners<\/a>, it’s a good time to highlight one of the most important pieces to their success. One of the plagues during the Sarkisian tenure at Texas has been penalties. Through two weeks, that has been the least of Texas’ problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Last season, Texas ranked 132nd of 136 FBS teams in penalty yards per game, averaging 69.7 yards per game. In both 2023 and 2024, they finished 73rd in the country(~52 yards\/game). Through two games this season, Texas ranks 4th in the country, averaging just 23.5 penalty yards\/game.<\/p>\n

The Longhorns<\/a> have earned six penalties this season, none coming against the first team offensive line, something that plagued them last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now, let’s say the obvious: there is still time for it to become a problem. However, last season they collected 17 penalties for 165 yards in the first two weeks. In 2024, it was 10 penalties for 70 yards. Finally in 2023, they racked up 9 penalties for 90 yards. Overall, this was a known issue at this point in the previous three seasons. To continue this success, the Longhorns will need to keep playing disciplined but they’re off to a phenomenal start.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Comedian Shane Gillis watches during the NCAA football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Comedian Shane Gillis watches during the NCAA football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

NBA basketball player Kevin Durant throws a football on the sideline during the NCAA football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Woody Harrelson interacts with Brutus Buckeye during the NCAA football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves walk on the sideline during the NCAA football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Sep 12, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Pat McAfee looks on before the game between Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Sep 12, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ja’Kobi Jackson (24) scores a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Sep 12, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws a pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jay Timmons (25) celebrates a forced fumble during the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs around Texas Longhorns defensive back Kobe Black (6) during the NCAA football game at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Riley Pettijohn (5) sacks Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (2) celebrates a sack of Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (2) sacks Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (2) celebrates a sack of Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first half at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a catch during the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

15 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Sep 12, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Bo Jackson (25) runs against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)\"\"<\/p>\n

16 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Sep 12, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (2) tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)\"\"<\/p>\n

17 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Matthew McConaughey celebrates on the field following the NCAA football game at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. The Texas Longhorns beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

18 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian watches during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

19 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Jaylen McClain (8) reacts to a missed interception during the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

20 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jay Timmons (25) loses his helmet as he hits Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

21 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Payton Pierce (26) disrupts a pass attempt by Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

22 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Sep 12, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive end Colin Simmons (1) reacts during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)\"\"<\/p>\n

23 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

24 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Sep 12, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates after a touchdown by running back Hollywood Smothers (2) in the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)\"\"<\/p>\n

25 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns students light up their section during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

26 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day watches his players leave the field following the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

27 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day watches his players leave the field following the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

28 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate with Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) following the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

29 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns fans and players celebrate following the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

30 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Sep 12, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive end Colin Simmons (1) celebrates with teammates after defeating the against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)\"\"<\/p>\n

31 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian leaves the field following the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

32 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns fans and players celebrate following the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

33 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate with Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) following the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23.<\/p>\n

(Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)\"\"<\/p>\n

34 \/ 34<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: Texas completes historic comeback to down No. 1 Ohoi State<\/p>\n

Sep 12, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; General view as the Texas Longhorns celebrate after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)<\/p>\n

Contact\/Follow us @LonghornsWire<\/a> on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook<\/a> to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions. Follow Tommy on X: @bresee_thomas<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Has Texas Longhorns football fixed last year’s penalty problem?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As the Longhorns turn the page to the UTSA Roadrunners, it’s a good time to highlight one of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1001292,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,1057,49,48,51,4731],"class_list":["post-1001291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ncaa-football","tag-football","tag-longhorns","tag-ncaa","tag-ncaa-football","tag-texas","tag-utsa-roadrunners"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/117273999935569884","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1001291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1001291"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1001291\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1001292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1001291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1001291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1001291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}