Thoughts from the Upper Deck

"You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great."
Psalm 18:35

I wasn't the prettiest win, but it was the win we needed.

Tonight's victory over Oklahoma State at DKR was the first for the Longhorns since 2008.  As a matter of perspective, that's Colt McCoy's junior year.  Similarly, it was this author's first year in Texas.

Similar to last year's victory against K-State in Manhattan, this was a game the Longhorns HAD to win if the program had truly turned a corner.  They found that way.  That's the biggest takeaway.

Otherwise, some thoughts:

• Sam Ehlinger is a danged stud.  His scramble for a first down to seal the victory blew this author's mind.  That's on top of his 4 TD's.

• Keontay Ingram can chew yardage.

• Jake Smith is one of the first Tom Herman recruits to come into his own.  There are going to be a lot more.  Soon.

• The defense got better as the game went on and only gave up one touchdown in the second half.

• That being said, bad punt coverage left the Longhorns unnecessarily vulnerable.

• Oklahoma state's playcalling was atrociously bad in the fourth quarter.

• Injuries starting to pile up on defense is cause for concern.  Still a year away from having that level of depth.  Bye week comes at a good time.