AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Longhorns center Jake Majors announced on social media Saturday that he will return for his senior year next season. Majors thanked coach Steve Sarkisian and offensive line coach Kyle Flood in a statement.
“I would like to thank Coach Sark and Coach Flood for affording me the privilege of returning for the 2024 season,” Majors said in a statement. “Being able to play for UT is a privilege that I do not take lightly.” I’d like to thank my family, teammates, coaches, friends, and our devoted fanbase for their help throughout this process. “In 2024, I hope to continue my education, improve my leadership on and off the field, and be an important part of the Texas Longhorn community.”
Majors, a 2020 recruit from Texas, has progressed from three-star prospect to starting center in the SEC next season. He has started 39 consecutive games for Texas since the start of the 2021 season.
Related: Texas Safety Report Kitan Crawford and Jerrin Thompson Majors had anchored an offensive line that had helped pave the way for some talented NFL running backs in recent seasons, including Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and the soon-to-be-drafted Jonathon Brooks. Next season, he’ll look to lead another strong rushing attack.
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West Virginia falls to No. 10 Texas, 70-49, in its first game.
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Vic Schaefer, head coach of the Texas women’s basketball team, had several concerns heading into Saturday’s game against No. 24 West Virginia.
Above all, Schaefer was concerned about his backcourt’s ability to compete with the trio of JJ Quinerly, Jordan Harrison, and Lauren Fields.
“I haven’t slept for two nights worrying about those three guards,” Schaefer was quoted as saying
Schaefer’s concerns were allayed Saturday afternoon when Texas held the Mountaineers to 26 percent field goal shooting and never trailed in a 70-49 victory in front of 2,601 at the WVU Coliseum.
“We’re not standing around in a 2-3 zone playing hope you miss defense,” Schaefer went on to say. “These kids are giving it their all. They are receiving scouting reports and comprehending personnel.”
The Mountaineers (13-1, 2-1) never found an offensive rhythm in a game in which they shot only 16-of-60, including 4 for 31 from three-point range.
Texas (15-1, 2-1) took a 13-7 lead before the first media timeout and held a 23-16 lead after one quarter. The Longhorns hit 8-of-10 shots in the first quarter and had four players score at least four points, led by 6-foot-1 forward Aaliyah Moore’s six. WVU, on the other hand, made only 6-of-21 shots in the first 10 minutes and missed 10 of 11 three-point attempts. Texas’ seven turnovers were the only thing keeping the Mountaineers from falling further behind.
“They’re a top 10 team for a reason,” WVU coach Mark Kellogg said after his first loss as head coach of the Mountaineers. “Their size bothered us, and their pressure bothered us at times in the half court.” We never did find an offensive rhythm.”
After Quinerly converted a jumper off a Texas turnover 3 minutes into the second quarter, WVU trailed 27-19, but the Longhorns responded with six straight points, including two field goals from Shaylee Gonzales sandwiched around a Madison Booker jumper.
Jordan Harrison’s triple was the only point for West Virginia for 6 minutes in the second quarter until Lauren Fields accounted for her only field goal of the game — a three 53 seconds before halftime that cut WVU’s deficit to 37-25 at the break.
The Mountaineers entered the halftime break shooting 25% (9 for 36) and with 13 rebounds to the Longhorns’ 27.
“I liked the shots we got early in the game,” said Kellogg. “We started forcing them as the game went on and got a little frustrated.”
Despite having difficulty generating offense for long stretches of the first half, West Virginia was within striking distance to begin the third quarter.
However, Texas scored the first 10 points of the second half and kept WVU from scoring after halftime until Quinerly’s second-chance basket at the 5:52 mark of the third quarter.
Amina Muhammad converted inside on a second-chance opportunity to make it 42-25 before Shay Holle accounted for a conventional three-point play and Khadija Faye made two free throws.
“We punched them first coming out of the locker room and that was kind of the difference in the game,” Schaefer went on to say.
The Longhorns led 54-32 entering the fourth quarter, while the Mountaineers shot 3 for 16 and missed all seven three-point attempts.
“It’s not just about height. “It’s as much about length and strength as anything else,” Kellogg said of Texas. “They bother you at the rim ,which is why I knew we probably had to make ten threes to win the game.”
Booker, a freshman, led the way with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists in the win. Despite having eight of her team’s 24 turnovers, Booker’s offensive output came from only seven field-goal attempts, and she dominated the game for long stretches.
“She’s a member of the elite. “We knew that when we came in,” Kellogg said. “One of the best midrange players in the country as a freshman.”
“You got a chance to see one of the best freshmen in the country,” Schaefer said. “She’s having to do so much for our team and she’s doing it.”
Gonzales had 15 points, and Moore had 12.
Muhammad, Faye, and Taylor Jones each scored eight points in the victory.
“Our number one concern going in was the press,” Schaefer said. “It’s been a focal point for three days, counting shoot-around.” We put in a lot of effort. They are extremely effective in what they do. This team is providing excellent execution, and we are shooting the ball at a high level. We ran some good content, and Book produced some excellent reads. When we needed it, our kids delivered.”
The Longhorns used their size advantage to nearly double up the Mountaineers on the glass, 47-24.
Quinerly led all players with 22 points and four steals, but she only made 6-of-20 shots.
Harrison scored 10 points but shot 4 for 14, while Fields shot 1 for 12 in both players’ first loss at WVU.
“We’re 13-1 with our only loss being to a top 10 team in the country,” he said. “For now, we’re OK, but we do have to get better.”
