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Texas' Steve Sarkisian: Longhorns 'would not be here today' without Jonathon Brooks

caleb yum, austin american-statesman
·2 min read
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Texas planned the final play of its 49-21 win over Oklahoma State two days before the game was played.

After practice, coach Steve Sarkisian called Jonathon Brooks over to his side. The running back had been out of commission since he tore his ACL in the Longhorns' win over TCU. He carried the rock and the offense throughout the year but in the teams' final games of the season, Brooks couldn't do anything but watch and support his team on the sideline.

He went on to declare that despite his injury, Brooks would be a part of their Big 12 Championship win over the Cowboys.

Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks (24) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, November. 11, 2023, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.
Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks (24) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, November. 11, 2023, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.

"I had everybody on the sideline, and we took a knee and I put Jonathon out there when we took the knee. And I think everyone's like, what is he doing? And when I was done, I said, when we win Saturday, Jonathon's going out there to be part of this victory with us. And he's going to register a snap that he was part of a Big 12 championship game," Sarkisian said.

More: Our three biggest takeaways from Texas' runaway win in the Big 12 Championship Game

And so that's what happened on Saturday. With third-string quarterback Arch Manning in the game, Brooks, wearing a heavy brace, lined up five yards behind him. The ball was snapped, Manning kneeled and proceeded to toss the ball to his running back who stood still, soaking it in.

He may not have played for the past few weeks, but Sarkisian knows that doesn't matter. Texas' 12-1 record was largely due to their strong running attack that was kickstarted by Brooks and his 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"We would not be here today without Jonathon Brooks and what he did for us in a good portion of this season," Sarkisian said.

It was bold, reckless even, of Sarkisian to predict a win on Thursday. Doing so not only showed his determination to win but also his team's dedication to a teammate who had his season taken away from him.

"The guys, they love that stuff and so we had to follow through," Sarkisian said.

"I'm glad he was able to have that moment."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football Jonathon Brooks final snap in Big 12 Championship