AUSTIN, Texas - The University of Texas' offensive line was honored by the Joe Moore Award on Tuesday with a place on the midseason honor roll. The Joe Moore Award recognizes the Most Outstanding Offensive Line unit in college football.



Under the direction of first-year co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Herb Hand , the Longhorns have been much-improved along the offensive line in 2018. UT leads the Big 12 Conference in negative play percentage at 8.2%, which measures runs resulting in negative yardage. That mark is 2.4% better than league average. The Longhorns have allowed just eleven sacks through seven games, fourth-best in the Big 12. UT has been successful on 79.1% of their "Gotta Have It" situations (3rd/4th and short and Goal to Go situations), 8% better than the Big 12 average.



What the committee is saying: "Improving unit that plays with more force than finesse. Still a work in progress from technique standpoint but getting better. Have leaned more heavily on the OL and running game since 2nd half of USC. Physical identity has led them to three victories over ranked opponents including OU."



These units have gained the attention of the Joe Moore Award voting committee, as it moves closer to announcing the selection of semi finalists on Nov. 20 and finalists on Dec. 4. Selection of the 2018 Joe Moore Award winner will be made public after a surprise visit to the winning university's campus in late December.