Texas football RB Jaydon Blue reemerged with strong performance against Arkansas Razorbacks,

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Many times over the last six weeks, Steve Sarkisian has said the University of Texas needs Jaydon Blue in order to get to where it wants to go this season.

That's fair, mostly because the junior running back is a legitimate multidimensional weapon out of the Longhorns' backfield, but here's something to consider.

Sarkisian may need Blue, but Blue has been supplanted by Quintrevion Wisner as Texas' best option at running back. The sophomore leads the Longhorns in carries (98) and yards (468). While Blue has continued to play a role, it's not what anyone envisioned after CJ Baxter was lost for the season early in fall camp.

After six weeks of playing a complementary role, though, Blue reemerged Saturday, rushing 14 times for 83 yards in a 20-10 win over Arkansas at Razorback Stadium. Both numbers represent Blue's highest output since he ran for 124 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries almost two months ago vs. ULM.

"I feel healthy, and based off how I've been practicing the last two weeks, the second half, I just leaned on the o-line, and I knew that those guys were going to pave the way for me," Blue said. "Once I started to find a rhythm, everything started working."

Nursing a lead and trying to close out a road win, Texas (9-1, 5-1 SEC) went run-heavy, with Blue at the center of it.

An eight-play, 75-yard drive that ate up 3:36 of fourth-quarter clock gave the Longhorns a 20-10 lead with 9:05 left in the fourth quarter. Of those eight plays and 75 yards, Blue accounted for 41 yards on three carries.

Yes, a past issue reared its head when Blue fumbled at the end of a 28-yard run on that drive. This whole Blue situation essentially started when he was benched Sept. 28 vs. Mississippi State after two fumbles , but one might argue this particular fumble could be forgiven since the drive ended in a critical touchdown.

"As a coach, you never want your player to fumble, but him being Coach Choice," Blue said of what running backs coach Tashard Choice said to him after the fumble. "He was just telling me to make sure I kept it high and tight, he didn't make a big deal about it. He just told me, the next drive, to make sure I held it, and I did that."

For the year, Blue is at 90 carries for 481 yards and a team-leading five rushing touchdowns. He also leads all running backs in catches (30), receiving yards (263), and receiving touchdowns (3).