Pete Kwiatkowski has guided a Texas defense that ranks second in the FBS in total defense (247.5 ypg), passing yards allowed (143.5 ypg), passing efficiency defense (93.51), passes intercepted (17) and first down defense (162), while ranking third in scoring defense (12.1 ppg). It leads the SEC in all of those categories. It also ranks fifth in the FBS in turnovers gained (24), ninth in third-down conversion percentage defense (0.299), 10th in red zone defense (.727), 10th in yards allowed per rush (3.06), 11th in sacks (3.0), 13th in tackles for loss (7.3), and 13th in rushing defense (104.0). The Longhorns lead the FBS in fewest opponent total yards per play, surrendering just 3.97. Texas is the only team in the nation giving up fewer than four yards per play. UT also leads the nation in opponent passing yards per attempt, restraining opposing teams to just 5.06 yards per attempt. Additionally, the Longhorns are second in the nation in offensive touchdowns allowed at 13 and are one of just two teams under 15 for the season. In terms of total offense, the defense has held 10 of its 11 opponents to under 300 yards with the lone exception being Florida with 329. It even limited two teams to under 200 yards in Colorado State (192) and ULM (111). The Longhorns shut out the Rams, while the game against the Warhawks marked the first time since 2009 an opponent had fewer than 60 yards both rushing (57) and passing (54). Even in Texas’ one defeat of the season, despite falling to Georgia, 30-15, the defense allowed only 283 yards to the Bulldogs with 17 of UGA’s points coming off of Texas turnovers. Meanwhile, only two opponents have passed for more than 200 yards and none more than 211 in Michigan and Kentucky, while seven were limited to under 150 – Colorado State (74), UTSA (132), ULM (54), Mississippi State (144), Oklahoma (148), Florida (132), and Arkansas (149). In the rushing game, only one team has rushed for more than 150 yards, while the defense has held five teams to fewer than 100 yards – Michigan (80), ULM (57), Oklahoma (89), Arkansas (82), and Kentucky (21). The Longhorns are 10-1 (6-1 SEC) this season, giving them back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time since 2008 and 2009. They are ranked No. 3 in both polls and by the College Football Playoff. Texas has several players vying for major postseason awards, including DB Jahdae Barron as a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy and a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, LB Anthony Hill Jr. as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, and freshman EDGE Colin Simmons as a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. Barron and DB Andrew Mukuba lead the SEC and are tied for 12th nationally with four interceptions, while Hill leads the SEC and is fourth nationally in forced fumbles (4) and is second in the SEC and ninth nationally in tackles for loss (1.4).
