Steve Sarkisian says Tennessee's injuries prove Texas isn't 'soft'

Steve Sarkisian says Tennessee's injuries prove Texas isn't 'soft' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The No. 1 Texas Longhorns survived their first big road test on Saturday, beating No. 14 Tennessee in Knoxville 20-17. Although the Vols hung tough against the Longhorns, and even had a chance at tying the game late, head coach Steve Sarkisian's team hung on.

The game saw several Tennessee players get injured, but none bigger than Vol quarterback Faizon Brandon, who left the game early in the first second after taking a big hit.

After the game, Coach Sarkisian had a message towards the anonymous head coach that described his team as "soft" leading up to Saturday's game.

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Anonymous coach describes Texas as "soft"

A few days before kickoff, told The Athletic's Bruce Feldman interviewed a coach that has played Texas this season. That coach described Longhorns as "soft".

After the game in his postgame presser, Sarkisian took the opportunity to call out that coach:

"I do think we need to get healthy," Sarkisian said via Rocky Top Insider after the game. "We were a little banged up coming out of the game. And I think they were banged up too. I think they had eight guys get carted off, so I’m not sure who wrote the article today and what coach said, we weren’t a physical football team — they might want to write another article.”

Brandon left the game for a series, appearing to suffer a shoulder injury. He was in the medical tent with the Vol trainers, but returned to the field and appeared OK the rest of the game. Vol defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam also left the game with an injury.

As for Texas, the Longhorn defense had a great day, finishing the day with 10 sacks. Collin Simmons led the way with five, which ties a Texas record for the most sacks in a single game.

It's safe to say Texas is far from "soft," after going on the road and getting a big win.

Per Feldman, here's how one coach who faced Texas earlier this season—which means the coach is either on the Texas State, Ohio State or UTSA staff—described the Longhorns:

"They’ve got everything. They look the part. They’re fast. They can bend. But they just don’t have an edge to ’em. They’re soft everywhere."

Apparently someone informed Sark of what was said about his team, and he heard it loud and clear leading up to the game.

Next up for Texas is a bye week before the Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners on Oct. 11.

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