The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 2/2/3 Football’s Taaffe named East-West Shrine Bowl’s “Texas Star of the Week”
12.03.2024 | Football
The junior defensive back collected the East-West Shrine Bowl’s “Texas Star of the Week” following his on-field performance in Texas’ 17-7 win at No. 20/19/20 Texas A&M on Nov. 30.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football junior defensive back Michael Taaffe earned the East-West Shrine Bowl's "Texas Star of the Week" following his standout effort in the Longhorns' 17-7 win at No. 20/19/20 Texas A&M on Nov. 30, the East-West Shrine Bowl announced Tuesday morning.
The Austin, Texas, native recorded three total tackles (two solo), a tackle for a loss of one yard and an interception in the victory versus Texas A&M, which also clinched an SEC title game berth for the Longhorns. Taaffe picked off the Aggies at the Texas 7-yard line during their second possession of the game in the first quarter. The interception then set up a 10-play, 93-yard drive that resulted in UT's first touchdown of the ballgame, a 15-yard run by QB Arch Manning, to give the Horns a 7-0 lead, which they would not relinquish. With 43 seconds remaining in the second quarter and a third-and-2 situation for the Aggies, Taaffe recorded a tackle for a loss of one yard on a pass play, setting up fourth-and-3 and eventually leading to a turnover on downs for Texas A&M before the half.
Texas A&M was averaging 200 yards rushing (208.4), 200 passing (208.7) and 32.5 points per game entering the contest. Texas held the Aggies to 102 rushing and 146 passing, while their offense did not score. The Longhorns prevented a Texas A&M offense that led SEC (2nd FBS) in red zone offense (95.6%) from scoring on its two attempts. Taaffe is part of a Texas defense that leads the FBS in passing yards allowed (143.7 ypg), is second in scoring defense (11.7 ppg) and passing efficiency defense (94.93), is third in total defense (247.2 ypg), red zone defense (.667), passes intercepted (18) and first down defense (177), and leads the SEC in all of those categories. It also ranks fifth in the FBS in turnovers gained (26), sixth in third-down conversion percentage defense (0.303), 12th in rushing defense (103.5 ypg), 15th in sacks (2.92), and 19th in tackles for loss (7.1).
On the season, Taaffe has made 12 starts in the Horns' secondary and ranks second on the squad in total tackles (57), interceptions (2) and pass break-ups (6). In addition, he has carded 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble this season.
Up next, the Longhorns take on No. 5/5/7 Georgia in the 2024 SEC Championship Game at 3 p.m. CT, Saturday, Dec. 7, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game will broadcast on ABC with Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (reporter) and Laura Rutledge (reporter) on the call. ESPN's College GameDay will be airing live from Atlanta from 8-11 a.m. Saturday hosted by Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit and other ESPN personalities.
