Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian recently spoke about his team’s 28-20 loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinal, reflecting on both the outcome and a controversial penalty reversal that added to the team’s frustration. While Georgia’s victory secured their place in the national championship game, Texas’ performance left plenty to analyze, with moments of both commendable effort and missed opportunities.
The game, which took place in the College Football Playoff, saw Georgia’s defense prove to be too much for Texas. The Bulldogs, known for their ferocious defense, held Texas to only 20 points, despite the Longhorns having their moments in the game. Sarkisian, who has faced immense pressure in building Texas back into a national contender, took the loss with grace, acknowledging that his team was outplayed by a very strong Georgia squad. However, his reflections extended beyond just the play on the field. He expressed frustration over a specific moment that had a significant impact on the game: a controversial penalty reversal that left Texas fans and analysts scratching their heads.
The controversial call came during a critical point in the second half, when the Longhorns were attempting to mount a comeback. A key moment saw Texas linebacker Jahari Rogers make a crucial play, recovering a fumble from Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. On what appeared to be a turnover that would have given the Longhorns a chance to cut into the deficit, the officials ruled that Rogers had committed a targeting penalty, a decision that would have resulted in a penalty and an ejection. However, after a review, the call was reversed, and the turnover stood, sparking confusion and frustration among Texas fans and the coaching staff.
In the postgame interview, Sarkisian was asked about the reversal, and he didn’t hold back. “That was a tough call for us,” Sarkisian said. “We thought we had a huge momentum shift there. We teach our guys to play the game the right way, and I don’t think that penalty was deserved. It was a tough pill to swallow.” While Sarkisian understood the necessity for reviews in high-stakes games, he couldn’t help but express his belief that the call had changed the complexion of the game at a crucial moment.
The targeting rule, which is designed to protect players from dangerous hits to the head and neck area, often leaves room for interpretation. Officials are required to review any targeting penalties to ensure the accuracy of the call, and that was the case here. However, Sarkisian’s comments reflected his frustration that a play that could have shifted the momentum was negated by a controversial decision. “It’s hard when you feel like you’ve got the momentum and you get hit with something like that,” he explained.
Despite the disappointment over the call, Sarkisian remained optimistic about his team’s future. “We’re building something here, and this game is part of that process,” he said. The coach emphasized the need for continued growth and improvement, particularly when it comes to executing in high-pressure situations. Sarkisian recognized that although Texas showed resilience against a tough opponent like Georgia, there were missed opportunities that could have kept the game closer.
The loss to Georgia highlighted some of Texas’ ongoing challenges, including consistency on both sides of the ball. While Texas’ offense displayed flashes of brilliance, particularly through the playmaking ability of quarterback Quinn Ewers and running back Bijan Robinson, the defense struggled at times to contain Georgia’s balanced attack. However, Sarkisian also praised the fight in his players, acknowledging that they didn’t back down against a team of Georgia’s caliber. “Our guys gave everything they had,” he said. “I’m proud of them for their fight.”
As Sarkisian and the Texas program look ahead to next season, the loss to Georgia, while disappointing, serves as a learning experience. Sarkisian’s comments reflect a desire to build a program capable of competing with the nation’s best while also ensuring his players understand the importance of discipline, focus, and resilience.
For Texas, this loss serves as another stepping stone in the long-term process of returning to national relevance. The controversial penalty reversal may have been a sore point for the Longhorns, but ultimately, they will need to focus on improving their play in all phases of the game. As Sarkisian noted, “We’re getting closer, but we’ve got work to do.”