Texas defense allows 17.4 points per game after Muschamp returns
The Longhorns' unit ranks third in the SEC in scoring defense and has forced key stops to stay alive in the playoff race.
By Ella Cox ·
Texas football fans see a sharper, more aggressive unit on the field this season. The Longhorns defense now allows 17.4 points per game, ranking third in the Southeastern Conference. This turnaround comes as the team seeks a spot in the College Football Playoff after missing the cut last year despite starting the season as the top-ranked team.
Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp returned to Austin in December 2025 to replace Pete Kwiatkowski. The change has altered the statistical profile of the defense significantly. Texas blitzes 28% of the time, up from 21% in the previous season. The unit also brings pass rush pressure 32% of the time, placing them seventh in the conference according to ESPN Research data.
The improvement is visible in close games. Last week against Missouri, the Longhorns held the Tigers to 12 yards of offense in the fourth quarter. The defense forced three consecutive three-and-outs and secured a 34-20 victory. Texas also ranks fourth in the SEC with 27 sacks and is tied for third with 62 tackles for loss.
Muschamp, who previously served as the Longhorns defensive coordinator from 2008 to 2010, joined the staff after a one-year sabbatical. Head coach Steve Sarkisian said he wanted a more in-your-face style to compete in the SEC. Muschamp’s return coincided with a period where the defense stabilized after allowing 30 or more points in four of the last five regular-season games during the 2025 campaign.
The coaching staff emphasizes physical play. During spring practice, Muschamp wore a T-shirt that read "NT=NP," which stands for "No thud equals no play." He told players that if they did not tackle hard in practice, they would not play in games. "The best defenses I've been a part of, they tackled extremely well," Muschamp said.
Players have adapted to the intensity. Justin Cryer, a Texas linebacker, noted that the unit switched to more man coverage and pressuring the quarterback at halftime during a September 12 game against Ohio State. The Longhorns trailed 23-3 entering the fourth quarter but won 24-23. Buckeyes receiver Jeremiah Smith, who had 164 yards earlier in the game, did not catch a pass in the final quarter.
Muschamp’s reputation for fiery sideline reactions followed him back to Austin. Defensive lineman Hero Kanu recalled a video from 2009 where Muschamp punched a whiteboard during halftime of a game against Colorado. The clip resurfaced on social media after the hiring announcement. Kanu said the video was the first thing he thought of when he learned of the return.
The coordinator’s wife, Carol Muschamp, said the decision to return to coaching felt natural. "The fun is winning, as you know," she said. Muschamp, 55, previously coached at Georgia, where the team won back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022. He now works under Sarkisian, who said the defense provides a foundation for championship contention.
Texas faces No. 14 LSU on Saturday night. The Longhorns remain in contention for the SEC title and a playoff berth. Their defense has allowed touchdowns only 39% of the time after opponents reach the 20-yard line, the best rate in the SEC. Last season, that figure was 62%.
