DALLAS — The No. 1 Texas Longhorns lost perhaps their top offensive playmaker to injury during Saturday’s 34-3 victory over the No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners in the Cotton Bowl.
Texas receiver Isaiah Bond was ejected in the second quarter and did not return to the game after being hit hard in the back by an overthrown pass from Quinn Ewers. He limped off the field and stayed in the medical tent for several minutes before returning to the locker room.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said Bonds suffered an ankle injury that re-aggravated during the game.
“Isaiah injured his ankle,” Sarksian said. “He did it early on, but then he got sick again late in the game, so we missed him. So we’ll continue to monitor him.”
Bonds finished the game with just one catch for 5 yards. He entered the game as the team’s top receiver with 20 catches, 364 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns.
He ran for a touchdown on Texas’ second drive after going wide open in the middle of the field, but a short-arm throw from Quinn Ewers left the ball incomplete.
Despite Bonds’ absence in the second half, the Longhorns’ offense never missed a beat despite a slow start. Texas was led by Gunnar Helm, who had five catches for a game-high 91 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Wingo had two grabs for 49 yards and DeAndre Moore Jr. had three catches for 25 yards.
The Longhorns will need Bonds to be fully healthy for next week’s matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs. Bonds said before the game against Red River Rivalry that he was “bracing for a big game,” and the matchup against UGA certainly qualifies.
“I’ve heard a lot of great things from the players on the team and my close friends. All I can say is that this is basically on par with something like the Iron Bowl for my previous team where I’m from. ” Bond said of Red River. “They say it could be an even bigger game than that. I’m built for big games and I love playing in big games, so it’s going to be a fun time.” ”
Texas and Georgia will kick off in Austin on October 19th at 6:30pm CT.
