Hollywood Smothers leaps across the goal line to give UT a lead (0:54)

Dave Wilson Nov 5, 2026, 10:09 PM ET

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Dave Wilson is a college football reporter. He previously worked at The Dallas Morning News, San Diego Union-Tribune and Las Vegas Sun.

Hollywood Smothers , Texas ' season-opening starter at running back, is out for the remainder of the season because of a torn MCL, a source confirmed to ESPN's Pete Thamel on Thursday.

Smothers transferred from NC State and played in six games for the Longhorns, starting five. In Texas' upset of then-No. 1 Ohio State, Smothers rushed for 74 yards and scored two touchdowns on the final two drives as the Longhorns put up 21 points in the fourth quarter to finish the comeback and win 24-23.

No. 7 Texas is banged up ahead of Saturday's game on the road against No. 18 Missouri.…