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Steve Sarkisian Threw His Players Under The Bus To Deflect Blame For Texas’ Horrendous Play Call

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Steve Sarkisian Play Call Blame
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Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian stands by his horrendous play call during the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff. He blames the offensive line.

The play would’ve worked if his players were able to execute. It is not his fault!

Sarkisian is in his fourth year with the Longhorns and continues to be the primary play-caller for the offense. Offensive coordinator Kyle Flood offers his thoughts but it is the head coach’s final decision. Thus, the 50-year-old is entirely responsible for how things played out at the Cotton Bowl.

Texas drove 72 yards on seven plays to set up 1st-and-goal at the two-yard-line with four minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Longhorns were down by seven points at the time.

Most people would try to run the ball up the middle on 1st-and-goal from the two. Most people would also run the ball up the middle on 2nd-and-goal and 3rd-and-goal from the two or less. You have much bigger problems if you don’t trust your offensive line to get enough push on a quarterback sneak, or a halfback/fullback dive. Just run the ball!

Sarkisian did not run the ball. He called a pass on first down that fell incomplete, but Ohio State was flagged for P.I. to set up 1st-and-goal from the one-yard-line. What happened next was a complete and total disaster.

  • 1st-and-goal: run for no gain
  • 2nd-and-goal: run for a loss of seven
  • 3rd-and-goal: pass incomplete
  • 4th-and-goal: 83-yard scoop-and-score touchdown for the Buckeyes

To be fair, Sarkisian cannot control the fluke fumble return. However, he did control the play calls on first, second and third down.

The call on second down was mind-boggling. Texas fans are absolutely furious with their head coach for running a toss sweep from the pistol formation on 2nd-and-goal from the one-yard-line.

Steve Sarkisian genuinely believes he made the right decision even though it was inexcusable. He did not blame himself for the awful play call and refused to take any accountability. Instead, the head coach pointed his finger at the offensive line for its lack of push while four fingers pointed right back at him.

The Longhorns lost the game for a lot of reasons. Games do not come down to one single play.

With that being said, Texas probably would’ve tied the game if Steve Sarkisian went under center and ran the ball up the middle on three-straight downs from the one-yard-line. To run a toss in that situation is awful. To not own up to the horrible decision is even worse.