Texas freshmen tracker: Smoke Matthews makes impact in win over Mississippi State

The Texas Longhorns followed the win over the Ole Miss Rebels with another strong performance Saturday, taking down the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 31-3, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Longhorns controlled the game on both sides of the ball, holding the Bulldogs to three points while Arch Manning threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns.

Now, let’s talk about the top freshmen in a week where injuries forced young Longhorns to step forward.

WR Jermaine Bishop Jr. continues development

Bishop finished with three receptions for 17 yards, with a long catch of eight yards. The first-year wide receiver continued to earn opportunities in the passing game, recording catches in the first, second, and fourth quarters. His first reception came with 4:58 remaining in the opening quarter, when Manning connected with him for a six-yard gain. Bishop later caught an eight-yard pass on 3rd and 12 during Texas’ second quarter drive, which ended with Gianni Spetic’s 45-yard field goal. Bishop added a three-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Although Bishop didn’t produce a major statistical outing, his three catches continued to demonstrate his involvement in the Longhorns’ receiving rotation with a career-high 30 snaps.

RB Derrek Cooper gets a carry

Cooper saw limited action in the backfield as he recorded one rushing attempt for five yards with sophomore Michael Terry III seemingly moving ahead of Cooper on the depth chart in the wake of his injuries and illness. The freshman running back took a handoff during Texas’ fourth quarter scoring drive, picking up five yards before Manning connected with Emmett Mosley V for a 42-yard touchdown. Cooper showed more of his potential as a runner earlier this season, including an 11-carry, 44-yard performance with a touchdown against UTSA. His workload against Mississippi State was less significant with only two snaps, but he continued to receive opportunities in the rotation.

CB Smoke Matthews records two tackles

Matthews delivered one of the more productive defensive performances among the freshmen, recording two solo tackles against the Bulldogs. The Charlotte native made one stop on a completed pass in the second quarter, bringing down Mississippi State receiver Marquis Johnson after an eight-yard gain. He added another tackle in the third quarter, stopping quarterback Parker Puckett after a 12-yard rushing attempt. It was a solid outing for the first-year defensive back, who played a career-high 39 snaps due to injuries sustained by sophomore cornerback Kade Phillips and sophomore nickel back Graceson Littleton.

More freshmen see the field versus Mississippi State

With the blowout win affording Texas an opportunity to find some snaps for backup players, linebacker Kosi Okpala (nine snaps, one assisted tackle, one missed tackle), cornerback John Meredith III (three snaps), linebacker Tyler Atkinson (three snaps), linebacker Rocky Cummins (three snaps), safety Toray Davis (three snaps), and defensive lineman Jamarion Carlton (two snaps) all saw the field against Mississippi State on defense.

On offense, wide receiver Chris Stewart saw his first playing time (three snaps), while also playing six snaps on kick coverage. Bishop (14 snaps), Matthews (12 snaps) ,and Davis (six snaps) appeared on special teams as well.