Steve Sarkisian takes issue with pass-interference calls against Texas

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 01: A yellow penalty flag sits ont hefield during a college football game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Illinois Fighting Illini on November 1, 2025 at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images A pass-interference penalty against Texas Longhorns sophomore cornerback Kade Phillips proved costly for head coach Steve Sarkisian’s team in Saturday’s loss against the Oklahoma Sooners, forcing the defense to stay on the field after the third-down pass breakup and leading to a touchdown run on the next play, the only offensive touchdown scored by the Sooners in the Cotton Bowl.On Thursday, Sarkisian took issue with the call, saying that Phillips didn’t make a “restrictive play” even though his hand was on the shoulder of the Oklahoma receiver.Steve Sarkisian on Texas CB Kade Phillips’ costly pass interference penalty vs. OU: “I’d argue that one was not a restrictive play and that he made a play on the ball…I don’t know what else to say because I think he was in good position and made a good play on the ball.” pic.twitter.com/MPNwDAV49r— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) October 15, 2026“I thought he made a good play on the ball last Saturday and he’s going to have to make more tough plays like that — that’s a bang-bang play, and it got called. I don’t know what else to say because I think he was in good position and made a good play on the ball,” Sarkisian said.It was the third pass-interference call on Phillips this season — he was also flagged in the wins over Texas State and Ohio State — and the fifth against Texas. Senior cornerback Bo Mascoe drew two pass-interference penalties in the road win over Tennessee, one of which Sarkisian disagreed with as well.“It’s tough because when your guys are in good position and they’re playing tight coverage and they’re getting a PI and you don’t get the call,” Sarkisian said. “Those are tough.”Both starting cornerbacks have been extremely effective in coverage beyond the penalties. Mascoe, a Rutgers transfer, has been targeted 12 times, allowing four receptions for 68 yards. Against the Buckeyes, Mascoe made several big plays in coverage against star receiver Jeremiah Smith with the only real coverage mistake coming against the Volunteers, a 30-yard touchdown reception late in the game that gave Tennessee a chance to win or tie the game on the final possession.Phillips, who earned three starts late last season, has been even better, breaking up two passes in allowing five receptions for 38 yards on 11 targets.“I’m proud of Kade. I think he has really matured as a player this year for us and he’s playing good football,” Sarkisian said.Some of the frustration from Sarkisian with the pass-interference penalties is that the Longhorns haven’t gotten the same calls, with one notable missed penalty coming against the Bobcats in the season opener just before Arch Manning threw a red-zone interception.“On the flip side, what’s tough is that you’re not getting pass interferences called the other way — we’re not getting them on our end,” Sarkisian said.Opponents have only been flagged twice for defensive pass interference with freshman wide receiver Jermaine Bishop drawing one against Ohio State and junior wide receiver Cam Coleman drawing one against Oklahoma.