The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 8/8 Football's offensive line named to Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll
10.17.2023 | Football
The Longhorns were recognized as one of the top offensive line units in the country by the Joe Moore Award.
NEW YORK – The No. 8/8 Texas Football offensive line was named to the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll, The Foundation for Teamwork announced on Tuesday. The Joe Moore Award is presented annually to the most outstanding offensive line unit in college football.
Despite sustaining some injuries on an offensive line that entered the season returning all five starters for the first time in UT history (LT Kelvin Banks Jr., LG Hayden Conner, C Jake Majors, RG Cole Hutson and RT Christian Jones), Texas has one of the nation's most productive offenses in 2023.
Under the direction of co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Kyle Flood, the Longhorns offensive line has played a key role in Texas converting 10-of-14 fourth downs this year, 18th-best in the FBS (71.4%). Texas also ranks 13th nationally in total offense (486.5 ypg) with 185.8 rushing (32nd) and 300.7 passing (21st), while scoring 35 points per game (26th).
The Longhorns have used the same five starters along the offensive line in all six games this season. From left tackle to right tackle, Texas has started Banks, Conner, Majors, DJ Campbell and Jones. The group has opened holes for running back Jonathon Brooks, who ranks fourth in the nation in rushing yards per game (121.0), sixth in all-purpose yards (141.17) and ninth in rushing yards (726).
UT's O-Line paved the way for 336 rushing yards, including 218 yards on 21 carries for Brooks, and four rushing touchdowns against a Kansas defense that entered the game allowing just 92 rushing yards per game. Texas tallied 661 yards of total offense versus the Jayhawks and had 300 yards rushing and passing in a game for just the seventh time in program history and had a 300-yard passer, 200-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver for just the second time in UT history in the 40-14 win over Kansas.
The Longhorns' offensive line helped clear the way and provide pass protection as Texas tallied 454 yards of total offense and 34 points against an Alabama defense that currently ranks 15th nationally in total defense (291.6 ypg) and 12th in scoring (16 ppg). Texas tallied six plays of 30 yards or more, including two of 40+ yards in the 34-24 win over the Crimson Tide.
In the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma, the Longhorn offense rushed for 156 yards and posted 527 yards of total offense versus a Sooner defense that currently ranks 29th in the FBS in rushing defense (113.7 ypg), seventh in scoring defense (14.0 ppg), and is allowing 352.8 total yards per game. Texas had a 300-yard passer, 100-yard rusher and two 100-yard receivers for just the second time in school history (first-ever in the Red River Rivalry) against Oklahoma.
The Longhorns have tallied at least 500 yards of offense in each of the last three games (503 - at Baylor; 661 - Kansas; 527 vs. Oklahoma), equaling the longest stretch in UT history. It marks the sixth time in program history have tallied 500-plus yards in three consecutive games with the prior instances occurring in 1968, 1969, 2005, 2007 and 2016.
Texas is among 23 offensive line units that have gained the attention of the Joe Moore Award voting committee as it moves closer to announcing the selection of semifinalists on Nov. 14 and finalists on Dec. 5. Selection of the 2023 Joe Moore Award winner will be made public after a surprise visit to the winning university's campus in late December.
The Joe Moore Award voting committee judges solely on six criteria: toughness, effort, teamwork, consistency, technique and finishing. Evaluations for the midseason honor roll were made solely through weekly review of actual game film and offensive line coach-provided cut-ups.
Texas returns to action on Saturday with a Big 12 Conference road matchup at Houston. The Longhorns and Cougars will kick off at 3:00 p.m. CT with the game airing on FOX.
