The Longhorns dominated ULM as-expected, but still have coaching to do ahead of the SEC opener.

The No. 1 Texas Longhorns did what elite teams do against outmatched talent — put in a dominating performance and fortunately came away healthy against the ULM Warhawks in a 51-3 win at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Texas could have been caught looking ahead to the SEC opener against Mississippi State, but looked dialed in defensively, with the offense showing what they need to work on in the interim.

Arch Manning is still a freshman quarterback

When Manning came in and was electric replacing Quinn Ewers against UTSA, there was talk of him holding onto the starting spot even after Ewers returned. He jumped up in the Heisman odds as Vegas tried to separate fools from their money and the storyline continued to stir throughout the week.

While Manning played well enough for Texas to win against ULM, there were spots where experience would have paid dividends. Both of his interceptions came on plays where he had other options, including throwing it away, but he chose instead to put the ball in peril. Even when the ball wasn’t turned over, taking low-percentage shots over check downs forced Texas into bad spots and higher-leverage situations.

Jaydon Blue is healthy for conference play

The speedy back has a lot on his shoulders as health continues to be a concern in the running back room, with Quintrevion Wisner now banged up along with the two players already out for the season. While it may have been less flashy, and fans still wait for him to break a big run, Blue looked the part of an every-down back when he was on the field.

Blue averaged just shy of five yards per carry and scored three touchdowns on his career-high 25 attempts, in addition to his one short receiving touchdown. Perhaps most importantly, Blue looks to have taken a step forward in his abilities as a pass blocker. The Longhorns will need that skill as Wisner heals and Jerrick Gibson grows into his role as an every down back for the Horns.

The defense can be disruptive

We’re two games removed from Texas struggling to pressure against Michigan on the road, the Longhorns front played a lot of its day on the other side of the ball. Texas brought down ULM quarterbacks twice, added in five more quarterback hurries, and six tackles for loss. As a team, ULM combined for 2.3 yards per carry, with the starting running backs turning in a combined 3.75 ypc.

Perhaps most importantly, Texas saw its disruption come from multiple sources. Linebacker Liona Lefau, who led the team in tackles, flashed multiple times in the backfield, while Buck end Ethan Burke chipped in with a TFL and a batted-down pass. ULM was unable to get anything going at all offensively because of the efforts, finishing with 111 yards of total offense for an average of 2.2 yards per play.