Key Takeaways:
- Starting running back CJ Baxter left the game against UTEP with an injury on the first play.
- The Longhorns were already without key offensive players Quintrevion Wisner and DeAndre Moore Jr.
- The injuries force No. 7 Texas to rely on its young and inexperienced backfield depth.
The No. 7 Texas Longhorns faced a significant setback during their Week 3 matchup against the UTEP Miners on Saturday, September 13, as their list of injured offensive players continued to grow. Despite entering the game as heavy favorites, the Longhorns saw starting running back CJ Baxter exit on the very first play from scrimmage, casting a shadow over their non-conference finale.
Baxter Injured Early
In a concerning start to the game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Baxter took a handoff on the opening play before walking off the field gingerly. He was able to leave under his own power but was soon escorted to the locker room for evaluation. The broadcast later confirmed that Baxter would not return to the game, dealing a significant blow to an already depleted running back corps.
Baxter’s exit is particularly troubling for a player who missed the entirety of last season with a knee injury. His presence was crucial for an offense still finding its rhythm under sophomore quarterback Arch Manning, who rebounded from a tough season opener with a four-touchdown performance against San Jose State last week, as detailed by digitaltrendstoday.com.
A Growing List of Absences
The Longhorns began the contest against UTEP already shorthanded. Two offensive starters, running back Quintrevion Wisner and wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr., were ruled out during pre-game warmups. Wisner, who rushed for 80 yards in the season opener against Ohio State, missed his second consecutive game with an undisclosed leg injury. Moore, a reliable target who caught 39 passes for 456 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, was sidelined after leaving last week’s game against San Jose State. The team was also without wide receiver Emmett Mosley V and defensive lineman Alex January, further testing the team’s depth.
Young Backs Forced to Step Up
With both Wisner and Baxter sidelined, the offensive load now falls on a trio of young running backs: Jerrick Gibson, Christian Clark, and James Simon. This situation forces the Longhorns to accelerate the development of their inexperienced players in a live-game environment. Gibson, who had a fumble in the previous game, received encouragement from Baxter to learn from the mistake.
“When he came to the sideline, I told him to pick his head up,” Baxter said of Gibson after the San Jose State game. “I said, look at the reason you fumbled and fix it, don’t let it happen again. Move on to the next play.”
Gibson showed promise as a freshman, including a career-high 100-yard performance against Florida in 2024. Clark is also expected to see an increased workload as the team navigates these key absences.
Outlook for the Longhorns
Despite the injury concerns, Texas was heavily favored to win against UTEP, with betting lines setting a massive 40.5-point spread. The Longhorns boast a dominant all-time record of 6-0 against the Miners and entered the game on a 13-game home winning streak against unranked opponents. While a victory was still the expected outcome, the primary concern for head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns faithful is the long-term health of the offense. As Texas prepares to enter the more demanding phase of its SEC schedule, the ability to get its key playmakers healthy will be paramount to achieving its championship aspirations.
