In their season opener, the Texas Longhorns' defense limited the Texas State Bobcats to just seven points. This game marked the debut of Will Muschamp as the defensive coordinator, who introduced a game plan that retained elements from his predecessor, Pete Kwiatkoski, while also incorporating new strategies.
A key adjustment was the use of Colin Simmons, typically an edge rusher, who played about 80% of his snaps in a seven- or loose five-technique alignment. He also took five snaps as an off-ball linebacker, a notable increase from the previous two seasons.
Simmons' new duties included acting as a quarterback spy and executing a looping blitz, with Muschamp's 'Mint' front alignment featuring prominently in 20% of the Longhorns' plays.
While Simmons did not record any sacks, he showed improvement from last season with a PFF grade of 75.4 for Week 1, up from 64.4. His performance in run defense and pass rush also indicated progress. However, he played only 44% of the defensive snaps due to the heat and the team's commanding lead, allowing for more backup play.
As he continues to adjust to his new role, the potential for his contributions to the Longhorns' defense remains promising.
