The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 21/17 Football trio earns SEC weekly honors
10.13.2025 | Football
DB Malik Muhammad was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, EDGE Colin Simmons was selected as Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week and WR Ryan Niblett was honored as Co-Special Teams Player of the Week.
AUSTIN, Texas – Three players from No. 21/17 Texas Football earned weekly honors from the Southeastern Conference, the league office announced Monday. Junior DB Malik Muhammad was honored as the SEC Defensive Player of the Week, sophomore EDGE Colin Simmons was selected as the Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week and sophomore WR Ryan Niblett garnered Co-Special Teams Player of the Week recognition.
It's the first career conference weekly honor for all three players.
The trio guided the Longhorns to a 26-3 win over No. 6/6 Oklahoma in the Allstate Red River Rivalry on Oct. 11 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
A native of DeSoto, Texas, Muhammad pulled in two interceptions along with recording a tackle for loss and a pass breakup to help the Texas defense keep rival No. 6 Oklahoma out the end zone on Saturday. The interceptions were the second and third of Muhammad's career as he became the first Longhorn to secure multiple interceptions against the Sooners since 2016. His first interception came in the first quarter at the Texas 42 to stop that drive and set up a field goal attempt for the UT offense. The second interception came in the end zone at the end of the second quarter as Oklahoma was attempting to score before halftime from the Texas 30-yard line. That kept the score at 6-3 in favor of OU before the Longhorns' defense went on to shutout the Sooners in the second half. Oklahoma would be limited to only 258 total yards in the game, including just 88 in the second half after entering the game averaging 415.2 yards per and 33.8 points per game. Muhammad's pass breakup also forced a fourth down on OU's final drive of the game that the Sooners then went for and did not convert. Oklahoma entered the game with three interceptions thrown for the season, and Texas doubled that number with three in the game. Playing in five of six games this season, Muhammad has compiled 11 tackles (eight solo), two interceptions, three pass break-ups and a tackle for loss.
5️⃣ got itttttt pic.twitter.com/TeLbhB94fQ
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) October 11, 2025
Simmons collected 2.5 sacks as part of five tackles to power the Texas defense against the Sooners. The Dallas native's first sack came early in the second quarter with Oklahoma having reached the UT 24-yard line. It was for five yards and set the tone of the series that eventually ended in a stop by the Longhorns to hold the Sooners to just a field goal and a 6-0 lead. His next sack came in with 6:23 left in the fourth quarter and Texas leading 20-6. Oklahoma was at the UT 35-yard line with a 3rd-and-20 and it forced a fourth down that Oklahoma went for but failed to convert to give the ball back to Texas. His final half sack came on the Sooners' final drive for a loss of 12 yards resulting in a 3rd-and-22. Oklahoma would be limited to only 258 total yards in the game, including just 88 in the second half after entering the game averaging 415.2 yards per and 33.8 points per game. On the season, Simmons has 15 tackles (eight solo) and a team-leading five tackles for loss, four sacks and five quarterback hurries in addition to a pass break-up.
Behind Muhammad and Simmons' leadership on defense, Texas' defense ranks third in the FBS in scoring defense (11.0 ppg), fourth in rushing defense (74.3 ypg), fifth in kickoff return defense (10.40), sixth in 4th down conversion percentage defense (0.231), 10th in first down defense (85), 10th in team passing efficiency defense (104.92), 11th in total defense (259.8), 11th in turnovers gained (12) and 12th in passes intercepted (8). The Horns also rank fifth amongst P4 teams in opponent yards per play (4.1). UT's defense has held six of its last seven opponents to under 100 rushing yards, dating back to the 2024 season. Through six games in 2025, Texas has gained 12 turnovers (four fumbles, eight interceptions), which leads the SEC and ranks 11th in the FBS.
Niblett registered the first punt return touchdown of his career with a 75-yard score that put Texas up 20-6 with just under 10 minutes to play in the game. It was one of two touchdowns scored in the game and just the third punt return touchdown by a Longhorn all-time against Oklahoma with the last coming in 2013 by Daje Johnson, and the one prior to that being in 1932 by Bohn Hilliard. For the season, Niblett now leads the SEC and ranks third in the nation in punt return average at 21.6 yards per return. Niblett also posted a 22-yard kickoff return in game and leads the SEC and ranks 11th nationally in combined kick return yards with 328.
Answered the 75 yard call 🏠📞 pic.twitter.com/LhM6YYuyFa
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) October 11, 2025
Up next, the Longhorns are back on the road to face the Kentucky Wildcats at 6 p.m. CT Saturday, Oct. 18, at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. The game will broadcast on ESPN with Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst) and Stormy Buonantony (sideline).
