AUSTIN (KXAN) — Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium came alive early in the fourth quarter Saturday. The home team cut Texas’ lead to 13-10 and the Razorbacks snatched all of the momentum.
The Longhorns offense had struggled against an increasingly confident Arkansas defense but came through when it mattered most. Quinn Ewers, Steve Sarkisian and Texas orchestrated a 75-yard touchdown drive and the Longhorns never looked back in a key 20-10 road win.
On that drive, Texas faced 2nd-and-8 at the Arkansas 12-yard line. Ewers dropped back to pass and his first two reads were covered.
He went to his third option, senior tight end Juan Davis. Davis, who Sarkisian says always “does the little things,” came through on what may seem like a minor play.
“Juan (Davis) catches it and then breaks kind of two tackles and falls forward and we get a first down,” Sarkisian said. “That seems like nothing but, to me as the play caller, that was a big play because now I don’t have to call third and short. It’s first and goal. That’s just kind of who Juan has been. He just does what he’s supposed to do.”
Davis’ play set up the Longhorns’ score. When Sarkisian has been asked which Texas players have stood out in practice throughout the year, Davis’ name pops up as much as anyone.
His teammates see what Davis is capable of and how integral he is to the group.
“Juan is a great player,” Longhorns receiver Matthew Golden said. “He’s down to do the dirty work and do what he’s supposed to do.”
“He makes himself very valuable by being able to block and then go and run those routes,” offensive lineman Kelvin Banks said. “If you watch the film he also puts his body on the line with those bigger [defensive] ends going out there to block.”
Davis has caught seven passes this season for 42 yards, compared to just one combined in his first three years. His playing time has seen a major increase as a receiver and blocker.
The Fort Worth native and the Longhorns have Senior Day on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. as they’ll host Kentucky. Texas Gameday is the official pregame show of Texas football and airs on KBVO Saturday at 1:30 p.m. with Jonathan Thomas, Dan Neil and Alex Okafor.