Throughout the season, Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron has referred to defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski as a “genius.”
His play-calling and general knowledge has been superb, at least according to the Jim Thorpe Award winner.
“Well, yeah, I’m humbled by that,” Kwiatkowski said Saturday night, “but without these guys executing at a high level, I look like a schmuck.”
Kwiatkowski and his entire unit should take a bow, not just for securing a 38-24 win over Clemson on Saturday in the College Football Playoffs. But for the entire season.
The Longhorns have one of the best defensive units in the nation, and it’s a major reason why some national pundits have picked them to win it all.
WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE: Follow A to Z Sports’ Texas Longhorns channel on YouTube.
“We’re putting them in position, and they’ve got to go out and execute and they’ve done it on a consistent basis this year,” Kwiatkowski said.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 26 of 43 passes for 336 yards, the highest total any quarterback has put up against Texas all season. The Austin native and Westlake product threw three touchdown passes. The Horns came in having allowed four passing touchdowns all season. And yet, it just never felt like the defense lost its grip on the proceedings.