Although injuries at running back have cast a cloud over the Texas football team's summer practices, some bright spots did shine through in Saturday’s scrimmage.

Specifically, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian liked the way his defense played in the first intrasquad scrimmage of the preseason.

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“I thought the one thing that definitely showed up Saturday in the scrimmage was the defense's ability to attack the football, and that has been a huge emphasis of ours,” Sarkisian said after Monday’s practice. “From the very first night (of practice), we've been talking about getting after the football. It showed up Saturday. It showed up again today, which is a real positive from a defensive perspective.”

Getting after the football means getting to the football, which the defense did on multiple occasions Saturday although details are sparse from a scrimmage closed to the public and the media. Sarkisian did say the defense forced multiple fumbles, including one by freshman running back Christian Clark after a reported hit by defensive back Jahdae Barron.

That type of takeaway is particularly appreciated, since Texas tied for 10th among FBS schools a year ago with 16 interceptions but just 78th in forced fumbles with eight.

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“We got interceptions last year, (but) we didn't get as many fumbles as we would have liked,” Sarkisian said. “That's got to become a mainstay of our defense. And so, for the guys to be attacking the ball the way that they are is really encouraging.”

Defensive tackles Vernon Broughton and Alfred Collins were singled out for their play, and Sarkisian said sophomore middle linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. proved “disruptive” at his new position. He also provided some clarity to the cornerback spots, where both Barron and Jaylon Guilbeau have gotten some work in addition to their regular duties at the Longhorns’ star position, which often covers slot receivers.

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“When they've gone out to corner, they have done some really nice things,” he said.

Sarkisian credited sophomore starter Malik Muhammad for “continuing to play well” at corner and said “we’re getting the best version” of veteran Gavin Holmes. He also said Kobe Black — a 6-foot-2, 205-pound freshman from Waco — “has made really good strides from spring to fall camp.”

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football's Steve Sarkisian praises defense after scrimmage