Steve Sarkisian Admits Texas Players Dealt with Nerves, Jitters Throughout Sugar Bowl Versus Washington
The Texas Longhorns entered the 2024 Allstate Sugar Bowl with high expectations. They were a team on the rise, led by head coach Steve Sarkisian, and poised to make a strong statement on a national stage against the Washington Huskies. However, the game didn’t unfold as planned for the Longhorns, as they suffered a disappointing 27-20 loss. After the game, Sarkisian, known affectionately and sometimes critically as “Sark,” made an honest admission: his players dealt with nerves and jitters that impacted their performance.
For fans and analysts alike, Sarkisian’s postgame comments provided a glimpse into the emotional and mental challenges the team faced. “There were moments where you could feel it,” Sarkisian said. “The excitement, the energy—it was almost too much for some of the younger guys. I think the occasion got the better of us at times, and we didn’t settle in the way we needed to early in the game.”
The Sugar Bowl is one of the most prestigious games in college football, and for many Texas players, it was their first appearance in such a high-stakes environment. Playing in the spotlight of New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome, under the eyes of millions, the pressure was palpable. The Longhorns’ slow start reflected those jitters, as missed tackles, dropped passes, and blown assignments plagued their first half.
Despite an eventual rally in the second half, the damage was already done. Texas spent too much time chasing the game, and Washington’s efficient offense, led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr., capitalized on the Longhorns’ miscues. The Huskies’ ability to control the tempo, combined with Texas’ mental lapses, underscored how unprepared the Longhorns seemed for the moment.
Steve Sarkisian’s candor about the team’s nervousness has sparked mixed reactions. On one hand, his honesty is refreshing in an era where coaches often deflect blame or deliver vague platitudes after tough losses. Admitting that the team struggled emotionally shows a level of accountability and a willingness to address underlying issues.
On the other hand, critics of Sarkisian—who often use the phrase “Sark gonna Sark” to describe his teams’ tendency to underperform in critical moments—have pounced on his comments. To some, it’s another example of a Sarkisian-led team being unprepared for the big stage. The narrative of his coaching career has often been one of immense promise overshadowed by inconsistency, and this loss has reignited those concerns.
The Sugar Bowl jitters also highlight a broader issue for Texas: mental preparation. While the Longhorns have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, games like this reveal the gap between a good team and a great one. Championship-caliber teams not only execute their game plan but also thrive under pressure.
Sarkisian acknowledged this gap, stating, “This is part of the process. It’s a learning experience for a lot of these guys. We’ve got to be better at handling the emotional highs and lows of games like this. It’s not just about X’s and O’s; it’s about composure.”
For a program like Texas, which is striving to reclaim its status as a national powerhouse, composure and consistency are non-negotiable. The Longhorns are on an upward trajectory, but performances like the one against Washington reveal how far they still have to go.
The phrase “Sark gonna Sark” has become a rallying cry for Sarkisian’s detractors, a shorthand for his perceived inability to deliver in pivotal moments. It’s a frustrating label for a coach with undeniable offensive brilliance and recruiting prowess but who has struggled with game management and consistency throughout his career.
At Washington, USC, and now Texas, Sarkisian has built high-powered offenses and landed elite recruits, but his teams often fall short of their potential when it matters most. The Sugar Bowl loss is the latest example, and while nerves and jitters are a valid explanation, they also reflect on the coaching staff’s ability to prepare players for big games.
Despite the disappointment, the future remains bright for Texas. The team has a strong foundation, including a talented roster and promising recruits. Sarkisian’s willingness to address issues head-on could be a sign of growth, both for himself and for the program.
However, the “Sark gonna Sark” narrative won’t disappear until the Longhorns consistently deliver on the biggest stages. The Sugar Bowl was a missed opportunity to silence critics, but it could also serve as a valuable lesson for a team still finding its identity.
In college football, the journey from good to great is rarely linear. For Sarkisian and the Longhorns, the key will be turning moments of adversity—like the nerves and jitters of the Sugar Bowl—into stepping stones toward sustained success. Whether they can do so remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the pressure won’t be easing up anytime soon.