For Texas running back Tre Wisner, The year began with him landing on the depth chart. But after injuries in the running back room during fall camp, he was assigned a new role: starter.

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Sophomore from DeSoto (Texas) via Waco (Texas) Connally was big on Saturday in the first matchup between in-state rivals Texas and Texas A&M since 2011. He had 186 rushing yards on 33 carries and 21 yards receiving on two catches. But it was his ability to break tackles, move the chains and ultimately kill time in a 17-7 victory that really helped the Longhorns.

Steve Sarkisian called Wisner “tougher than a Brillo pad” after last week’s 158-yard, one-touchdown performance over Kentucky. Midway through the season, the former special teams star took over the lead cow role.

“He gained a lot of trust from us a year ago,” Sarkisian said of Wisner. “Everyone talks about our five-star recruits and four-star recruits, and Tre wasn’t one of those guys. He was a really good high school football player. The makeup on him, his mentality, the day he showed up, all he’s done is rip his head off. And be a great teammate. Last year on special teams he gained our trust with the way he covered kicks.”

When CJ Baxter and Christian Clark failed in fall camp, an opportunity arose for Wisner.

“In training camp, when we had CJ and Christian injured one after the other, we had to change some things. Tre Wisner just kept working,” Sarkisian said. “When his opportunities came, he took advantage of them.”

Wisner eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the third time in his career and second consecutive year. What did this mean for the talented Texas ball carrier?

“It means a lot, but the standard is the standard,” Wisner said. “It doesn’t matter what kind of game it is. Whenever my name is called, I have to step in and do my job.”

When Wisner signed with Texas out of high school, one of the main reasons was UT’s running backs coach Tashard election. This relationship continues to grow, on and off the field.

“This man was really big in my life,” Wisner said. “Not even from a football perspective, just from a life perspective. If I can’t make it in life, I won’t make it on the field either. The fact that he invites me to meetings every day and gives us a word, a scripture or just a topic about life definitely smoothes things out for me.”

After his 33-carry performance, Wisner was asked if he was tired.

“Tired? Tired? Tired?”

The word has no meaning in Wisner’s world.