INSIDETEXAS.COM
SEPTEMBER 2015
JUICE! JERROD HEARD REVIVES THE LONGHORN OFFENSE
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in this issue
Welcome to the Party |
by
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Bill Frisbie
Jerrod Heard has infused a new energy to the Texas offense.
False Start |
Justin Wells Texas hits the reset button after the opener in South Bend. by
Next Man Up |
Bill Frisbie Jerrod Heard gets the keys to the Longhorn offense. by
Mike Perrin Named Interim AD | by Bill Frisbie and Eric Nahlin Early thoughts on the new athletic director.
Comeback Falls Short |
by
Horns Fall Late to OSU |
by
Bill Frisbie A furious 21-point fourth quarter comeback ends on a missed PAT.
A second straight gut-wrenching loss.
Stream of Consi__sness |
Bill Frisbie
Eric Nahlin Eric breaks down the first month of the season.
Recruiting Update |
by
Justin Wells Who is Texas trageting in the 2016 class? by
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Publishers -- Michael Pearle, Clendon Ross | Managing Editor--Clendon Ross | Editor-- Mike Blackwell InsideTexas.com Editor -- Justin Wells | Lead Writer -- Bill Frisbie | Contributor -- Ian Boyd Designer/Photographer -- Will Gallagher | Recruiting Analyst -- Eric Nahlin To Subscribe/Customer Service -- Phone: 512-659-8167 | Email: help@insidetexas.com insidetexas.com
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tudents on campus are starting to stare at Jerrod Heard. They point and whisper. He looks vaguely familiar. Some are so convinced they’ve seen him somewhere that they will directly ask, ”Are you Isaiah Taylor?”
No, this is not Texas’ point guard. This is the Longhorns’ record-setting freshman who is about to become a household name. Heard is the reason Texas now has a chance to win every game, teammates said. “I really think we have a chance to win every game because Heard is such a big factor,” said DT Poona Ford. Heard is the reason for the season. That’s what happens when a Texas QB, in just his second start, breaks Vince Young’s school record for total offense. Jerrod Heard, what took you so long? Seriously. First impression is that Heard is one of those rare, transcendent quarterbacks who is not just a play-maker but a difference-maker, who is a go-the-distance threat every time he touches the ball and who raises the level of play of his teammates. So, why couldn’t he come out to play last year? Or, at least log more than six snaps at Notre Dame? Heard had no First-Team reps during the three practices that the media was allowed to attend in August. In fact, snaps with the Ones were rare until he was named starting quarterback just before the second game of the season. “I took a few (First Team reps) because (Tyrone) Swoopes was still the starter,” Heard said. “We change up personnel in practice. Sometimes the Two O-line will go with the One skill (players) or the One O-line will go with the Two skills. We switched it up to get a different feel for the personnel.” There’s been plenty of informed speculation that Heard wasn’t much of a practice-player in 2014. He hinted as much following the Spring Scrimmage when he said that, basically, he’s a gamer who thrives on the big stage. “It wasn’t that he didn’t look good in practice,” head coach Charlie Strong said Monday. Then what was it? “I guess coaches were comfortable with Swoopes because he was experienced.” Said DT Poona Ford. “I always knew what kind of player Jerrod is. He’s very electric. He’s a playmaker.” Case-in-point: Texas had to cover 81 yards with just 1:51 left on the clock in its final drive against California. Strong huddled with Heard to remind him the
6
WELCOM
ME TO THE BIG SHOW
By Bill Frisbie
- Jerrod Heard -
team was out of timeouts and to settle him
Ideally, we all grow-up sometime, and
blitzes. You’ve got Cover-6, Drop-8 and all
down a little. Instead, Heard took the op-
Heard had to mature into the position,
these different coverages at the collegiate
portunity to reassure Strong.
Gray believes.
level. You definitely have to be at the top
“I got this,” Heard told him. “We’re going
“Jerrod needed to be more detailed in his
to score.”
work,” Gray said. “He’s done that because
Heard’s redshirt meant that he did no
he’s worked hard. That’s got him to where
green-shirt in practice last season. Unlike
he is now.”
the starting QB, players were allowed to
of your game.”
And, of course, he did – on a jaw-dropping, ankle-breaking 45-yard scamper
tackle him. That is, if they could.
on 3rd-and-four. In fact, Texas generated
Specifically, Heard has grasped the vari-
more yards in its final three scoring drives
ous coverages put before home and has
“Jerrod was one of those live quarterbacks
against Cal (286) than it did the entire
learned to go through is progressions,
that was tackled,” said SLB Peter Jinkens. “We still couldn’t tackle him.” That’s because you can’t tackle what you can’t catch. “He reminds me of VY,” added Jinkens. Comparisons to Vince Young are ordinarily premature. Maybe not this time. Heard passed for 364 yards and ran for 163 against Cal to bring Young’s record of 506 total yards. His numbers were more modest against Oklahoma State, accounting for 167 yards. Even so, Heard is a much more polished passer than was Young at this point in his career. Both Young and Colt McCoy operated behind better offensive lines during their RS-freshman seasons. Both had far more experienced receivers than Heard. Swoopes never developed a relationship with Young. However, Heard asked Daje Johnson for Young’s contact information a few weeks ago. Now, the two QBs are practically BFFs. Following the California game, Young texted Heard, just to say “He said he was proud of me, to keep my head
night at Notre Dame (163).
Gray added. Extra time in the film room
up and keep going.”
has slowed the game, Heard says, mainly “I didn’t think it was going to happen so
because he now has a better sense of
The Horns are currently in a stretch where
soon,” said RB Johnathan Gray of Heard’s
where everyone is supposed to be on the
they face three ranked teams in succes-
breakout performance, “but it did. The guy
field.
sion. But that is precisely the big stage
is amazing.”
`
upon which Heard thrives.
“In high school, you only had two coveragToo amazing to ride the bench until Sep-
es.” Heard said. “In college, it’s definitely
“I feel we can turn it around and get it go-
tember 12?
different with different stunts and different
ing,” Heard concluded.
8
insidetexas.com
FALSE by
JUSTIN WELLS
SOUTH BEND - Texas arrived in Indiana with energy and a renewed spirit. They exited the same way they left 2014; a complete mess.
insidetexas.com
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START
insidetexas.com
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- TEXAS VS NOTRE DAME -
N
otre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire accounted for three touchdowns, freshman Josh Adams scored twice, and the Fighting Irish defense did the rest as Notre Dame walloped the Longhorns, 38-3, at Notre Dame Stadium. Junior Will Fuller finished with 142 yards on seven grabs, two scores, none prettier than the perfect deep ball snagged at the 5:50 mark of the 3rd quarter which gave the Irish a 24-3 margin and basically killed any hope for the Texas faithful. “We talked about on defense containing their quarterback and not allowing him to throw and he had all day to throw the football and (Notre Dame) was able to execute on some big plays,” said Charlie Strong. “But we have to get better. We have to improve. We are just a better football team than we showed and I just keep saying, that we just got to keep believing in it because we can’t just go out there and not execute and not complete a game.” It’s the first season-opening loss for the Longhorns since North Carolina State in 1999. The Texas (0-1) offense was putrid. After spending an entire offseason working and tinkering with the offense, they tallied 75 1st half yards and 163 total, while Swoopes and Heard were sacked four times and pressured a dozen more. The Longhorns have now been outscored 11720 in the last three contests. Notre Dame totaled 230 yards in the first half and 527 overall. “You know what we have to go do is we have to relax and guys just need execute, and then we have to get them in the right place and that didn’t always happen,” Strong explained. “And when you recognize what your weaknesses are, then you can’t go out there thinking ‘this is going to work. We’ve got to get a package put in place let’s go run with it.” Tyrone Swoopes and the offensive line had troubles all night. Swoopes finished 7-of-22, for 93 yards passing, and added 36 yards rushing. Another poor performance in a line of poor performances. The
12
John Burt
o-line was beaten repeatedly. And when seniors Daje Johnson and Johnathan Gray combine for 85 yards, it’s just not your night. Redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard played two series, and after completing a pass, moving the chains twice, and getting the wind knocked out of him, didn’t see the field for the remainder of the evening. Wide receiver Marcus Johnson left the game in the 2nd quarter with a foot injury and was wearing a boot after the contest. “(Heard) is going to get more playing time,” said Strong. “He got tired and he’s going to continue to play and the line is going to continue to get better but everyone has to get better. I just felt like Tyrone could make the throws to get us back in the game.” The offense showed some life on its first drive of the 2nd half. Swoopes hit freshman John Burt for a 48-yard pitch-and catch but the drive stalled as Nick Rose nailed a 41-yard field goal to put UT on the board, 17-3.
punched it in from 14 yards on his first ND carry for a 14-0 advantage late in the 1st quarter. Notre Dame’s Justin Yoon connected on a 38-yard field goal midway through the 2nd quarter giving the Irish their biggest lead; 17-0. Rose made a 52-yard field goal – twice – to end the opening stanza, but Notre Dame called timeout both times. Rose missed wide left on his third attempt. A few of the bright spots on a dark night were the freshmen, Malik Jefferson (nine tackles/ 2.5 TFL), Kris Boyd (three tackles), and John Burt in particular. “You look at the young players,” Strong said. “Malik ended up playing good, Boyd made plays on special teams. We have to keep those guys headed in the right direction.”
“We’ve got to get our defense off the field,” said Gray, who showed fire after drives that stalled with numerous 3-and-outs.
Two of the notable plays of the game were Burt’s 48-yard catch and Breckyn Hager’s tackle for loss and ensuing attempt to fight half the Irish 2nd team offense.
Notre Dame opened the scoring on its second drive when Zaire hit WR Will Fuller for a 16-yard scoring strike and an early 7-0 lead. After another UT 3-and-out, Adams
“At the end of the day we lost,” said Jefferson. “As a player I feel like I need to get better and try to lead this team to victories in the future.”
insidetexas.com
- TEXAS VS NOTRE DAME -
THE AFTERMATH JAY NORVELL ASSUMES PLAY-CALLING DUTIES by Ian Boyd
Kicking out Chambers and Koenning in order to bring in an ambitious HS coach with big picture spread understanding to rival any of them as well as a coach who when last an OC had Watson under him on his staff…this was never going to repair the problem that was a lack of cohesion between the OC and “assistant head coach in charge of offense.” Perhaps the biggest problem for Watson was the QBs on campus. Swoopes cratered mentally under the strain of trying to be the QB at THE University of Texas while all the infrastructure designed to help him manage that responsibility was crumbling around him. So here we are, Norvell assumes the job and the responsibility of building an offense around Heard that can finally get the Texas offense on track.
T
Our own @shanew21 did a nice thread recently compar-
he offensive meeting room was not a united place from Day 1.
ing Watson the play-caller to Norvell the play-caller and it was clear
Charlie Strong brought Shawn Watson aboard and gave him author-
that the deposed QB coach has the stronger resume in that position,
ity to build his multiple pro-style offense…but surrounded him with
but there are reasons for hope as Jay assumes responsibility for the
spread offensive coaches. Naturally, the only remotely pro-style
Texas offense moving forward.
capable QB went down in Week 1 along with most of the veterans on the OL and Watson’s fate was more or less sealed as an OC.
For starters, the goal of this offense is now to be as simple and straightforward as possible about the task of using spread-option
The Wickline-Watson marriage was never a positive one, with a lack
and up-tempo tactics to get the ball into the hands of fast people in
of pre-marital counseling imo. Wickline wants to run zone schemes
space. This is a totally doable task and the Longhorns have plenty of
and little else, his understanding of how to attack a defense is lim-
speed to make it work.
ited to spread-style “count the numbers and react accordingly.” If he can’t get it done…Strong is going to need to pull the trigger on Meanwhile, Watson’s control over the offense meant that Texas’
an established OC in the offseason or the next coach to lose their
inexperienced OL last year was using up valuable practice reps
position at Texas will be Charlie.
learning pin & pull, trap, lead G, and power blocking schemes rather than using that invaluable time on mastering Wickline’s exceptionally
detailed zone techniques.
insidetexas.com
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- TEXAS VS NOTRE DAME -
WHAT THEY SAID... CHARLIE STRONG “We talked about on defense containing their
MALIK JEFFERSON
quarterback and not al-
“At the end of the day we lost,”
lowing him to throw and he had all day to throw the
“As a player I feel like I need to
football and (Notre Dame)
get better and try to lead this
was able to execute on
team to victories in the future.”
some big plays,”
“But we have to get better. We have to improve. We are just a better football team than we showed and I just keep saying, that we just got to keep believing in it because we can’t just go out there and not execute and not complete a game.”
JOHNATHAN GRAY “We’re right there on the edge. There are minor things we need to correct. We’ve got to be more detailed in our work to get the running game going. Also, we’ve got to be strong in the passing game. All those young guys in the front, they’ve got to keep working. As a senior leader, I’ve got to keep those guys focused and have a great mindset.”
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NEXT
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T MAN UP BY BILL FRISBIE
AUSTIN — Texas had to show progress and give its fans hope, coach Charlie Strong said earlier this week. The Longhorns’ 42-28 win Saturday against Rice featured RS-freshman Jerrod Heard’s first collegiate start and snapped a horrific 3-game skid. But it begs the question: are we having fun yet? insidetexas.com
17
- TEXAS vs RICE -
I
n other words, does a 14-point win against Rice truly signal a
change in the trajectory of the program? Shouldn’t we caution
against calling this a new era? This much is certain: Texas did not play with the tightness that has hampered it as of late, Strong believes. Enter Heard. “If the quarterback has juice,” Strong said, “then the team has juice.” Juice has a trickle-down effect. And it spilled into a stadium that had more than 15,000 empty seats (Official attendance: 86,458).
“What everybody wanted to see is something different,” Strong continued. “If anything, they just wanted change. When Heard took the field, I saw how exited the crowd was when he ran out there. The thing he can do is make plays. He is so exciting to watch. He is a winner. He
has an attitude about him. He’s continuing to grow and, finally I said, ‘Put him out there’” Finally. Heard will start working with the 1’s this week, Strong announced,
after the QBs split time with the starters last week. Incumbent Tyrone
Swoops did not enter the fray until there was 6:33 left and Texas leading 42-21.
Heard’s debut included 96 yards on 10 totes plus 120 yards through the air on just 4-of-7 attempts. More than half of his passing yards
came on a 69-yard TD strike to freshman WR John Burt on the first play of the 2nd half.
Heard was not informed until just before kickoff that he would replace Swoopes in the starting lineup.
how Daje Johnson factors into Jay Norvelle’s game plan – the speed-
“I felt we needed a spark,” said Strong. “The spark we needed to go
does Johnathan Gray realistically get 15-to-25 touches – the senior
ster’s touches were strictly limited to special teams on this night. And
with is Jerrod.”
just does not have the burst he had prior to the Achilles injury – as Strong ordered this past week?
Unfortunately, it’s not all Texas needs. Take away its school record
175 yards on four punt returns and this shaped-up as evenly-matched
But this much is clear: the head coach is now talking about a QB
ately needed a shortened field, and a surprisingly porous defense at
dling players with the responsibility of building up their QB (Swoopes).
tive possessions but that makes it difficult to project where the be-
Heard’s got swag. He loves the big stage. He dances and does push-
confident hands of Heard).
ad-libbed after the protection breaks down. Case-in-point: his 53-yard
The Horns not-so up-tempo offense managed just 38 snaps while
back call against TE Andrew Beck on the play, erasing 18 yards from
ballgame against a historically outmatched foe. The offense desper-
least did its part by forcing five turnovers, including on three conseculeaguered Longhorns offense is right now (other than in the relatively
ups between snaps. He’s got breakaway speed. His best plays will be run on 3rd-and-11 from the 19. There was a questionable block-in-the-
Rice crushed the stat sheet. The Owls balanced attack generated 462 yards off 96 plays (96!) while devouring 44:02 of the play clock.
“We came in here thinking we could get a win,” said Rice coach David Bailiff. “
the sprint.
“He just took off,” Strong said. “You knew something exciting as going to happen.”
Heard should thank X-receiver Armanti Foreman for making a great
The improving Owls have a clear offensive identity while Texas has offensive intangibles, thanks to Heard. We still don’t know, for example,
18
(Heard) who can elevate the play of his teammates rather than sad-
adjustment on an underthrown 32-yard toss down left sideline. It was
Heard’s first collegiate TD pass and capped a 9-play, 80-yard opening drive.
insidetexas.com
- TEXAS vs RICE -
Stewart’s 16-yard TD run capped a march in which the Owls notched seven 1st downs to pull within 21-14.
“We missed so many tackles,” Strong said. “I told Vance during the game that we missed at least 20 tackles.”
For nearly three quarters, Rice had tremendous success running
between the tackles to stay ahead of the chains. The Owls ran right at Texas on its opening series of the 2nd half, crisply moving to the
Longhorns 25. That’s when a crashing Edwin Freeman forced a Darik Dilliard fumble that DT Paul Boyette recovered at the 26.
An offensive pass interference against Armanti Foreman killed any hope of a Texas response.
Michael Dickson’s 17-yard shank spotted the Owls in prime real estate at the Texas 38 with 66 seconds left. Dylan Haines goal-line INT
snuffed the threat, but Rice would have boasted a halftime lead if it could defend the punt return.
“Everything we did was self-inflicted,” said Rice QB Driphus Jackson. “We had five turnovers, and that’s something we’ve never done as a program.”
Heard did a great job of selling play-action on a night in which he basically was the Longhorns’ running game. His 69-yard play-action toss to Burt, on the first snap of the second half, was right on the money.
A delay penalty hampered Texas’ next drive, but its defense momen-
Daje Johnson
tarily pinned its ears back and got after the visitors. Next Owl posses-
sion, freshman Kris Boyd lassoed Jackson on a 3-yard sack-and-strip. Speed never has a bad day. Daje turned on the jets during his 85-yard punt return to make it 14-0 with 6:43 left in the opening frame. It was
Texas’ first punt return for a TD since Johnson also took one 85 yards to the house against Oklahoma in 2013.
who sprinted 26 yards into the south end zone to regain Texas’ 21-point cushion, 35-14, with 8:14 left.
Texas forced a pair of punts after stopping Rice a consecutive third-
Not to be outdone, Duke Thomas returned the next Owl punt 57 yards
to the 6. Gray churned for five before hitting pay dirt untouched behind Patrick Vahe. It was another quiet night for Gray, managing 25 yards on nine carries. Still, Texas surpassed its point total from the past three games, after just 11 plays, with 3:22 remaining in the first.
and-shorts, including Poona Ford’s one-yard TFL on 3rd-and-one
Johnson’s 42-yard punt return to the Owl 28 set up Heard’s 19-yard scramble to the Rice 13. He added five on a keeper before D’Onta
Foreman notched his first career TD with two-yard TD plunge. That made it a 42-14 scoreboard with 65 seconds left in the third.
Texas’ first (and only) turnover of the season belonged to its defense. Jason Hall was stripped of the ball following his 31-yard INT-return
from the end zone, and the play flipped the momentum from the UT sideline for the rest of the half. Rice parlayed RG Peter Godber’s
fumble recovery at the 35 into Sam Stewart’s 22-yard TD run to make it 21-7 just 3:37 into the 2nd quarter.
Rice responded with 18-play, 75-yard TD drive that took 9:24 off the
clock. The Owls added a 14-yard TD toss in the waning seconds that mattered only in Vegas.
Arguably, what matters most for Texas (going forward) is that it finally
has made a much-needed and generally-expected change at quarter-
Defensive coordinator Vance Bedford berated his squad last week
after Notre Dame converted five 3rd downs requiring at least seven
yards. It was déjà vu all over again on Rice’s next series. That’s when the Owls moved the sticks on 3rd-and-five, 3rd-and-8, and again on 3rd-and-9 as part of a 16-play, 87 yard scoring drive.
The loose ball bounced into the mitts of fellow frosh Malik Jefferson,
back. Swoopes had clearly regressed toward the end of 2014 and, for now, much of the uncertainty has been lifted from that position. This team has a pulse now. Heard has given them that spark. “I’m just so happy with the way we competed,” Strong said. “We
insidetexas.com
19
- TEXAS vs RICE -
WHAT THEY SAID... JOHN BURT “ I feel like this is the class. There’s al-
DAJE JOHNSON
ways a little bit of bias, I’m in this class, but I really feel like this is the class that’s really going to change the program. It was evident tonight. A whole bunch of freshmen were out there making plays, so I feel like after we get this first year under our belt, I really feel like going forward Texas is going to start heading in the right direction.”
“You know it’s always good to win, period.
JAY NORVELL “I can’t remember playing a game like this where we scored so many points and played so few plays. The defensive turnover and the
But it’s even better to win after that Notre Dame loss. Just to show everyone what our potential is on offense and as a team on the whole, and we really didn’t play our best
special teams had a huge part in
game now and we still have more to show.
that but we only had like 33 plays in
Hopefully we can pick it up for the next
the third quarter. I just don’t ever
game against Cal and show everyone what
remember having a game like that
we really can do.”
but our kids have to learn from this. We are going to play a lot of good football teams and we are just starting. I was just pleased to have them respond.”
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MIKE PERRIN NAMED INTERIM AD Mike Perrin appears to be a good fit for UT -- he should be able to mend fences and navigate the tricky political waters of the athletic department and the alumni base.
BY BILL FRISBIE I had the rare privilege of attending Darrel
assure you that Perrin will be a tough act
producing sport) told me that Patterson
Royal’s annual, private luncheon with
to follow.
had not personally introduced himself to
many of his top lettermen (and will always
most of the coaches outside of the Big
be grateful to Pat Culpepper for the invita-
He met with Texas football coaches his
3 (football, basketball, baseball). Mean-
tion). Royal’s former athletes were politely
first day on the job this week, and that
while, a longtime employee within the
tolerant of an outsider within their inner
is a startling contrast to his embattled
Men’s hoops program told me: “We feel
circle, but I’ll never forget the day when
predecessor. I remember the look on
like Patterson wants to ax everyone who
a Longhorn great initiated a thoughtful
Mack Brown’s face when, three weeks
was hired by DeLoss (Dodds). We feel like
conversation with me. He could have been
after Steve Patterson was hired on Nov. 5,
we’re walking around with a target on our
mingling with the likes of Tommy Nobis or
2013, he was asked what he thought of his
backs. It’s been horrible.”
James Street, but instead, he was a highly
new boss.
personable man who seemed genuinely
When I walked into the press box Satur-
interested in who I was. It embarrassed
“I sure would like to meet him,” Brown
day, Patterson was smiling and glad-hand-
me that I did not recognize him so I, apolo-
said.
ing the well-attired (which automatically
getically, asked for his name.
excludes sports reporters). Just before Unfathomable.
“I’m Mike Perrin,” he said, handing me his
“Things are going to get better. They just
business card. “If there’s anything I can
Yet, it is indicative of the unsolicited com-
ever do for you…”
ments I received this past summer from a
Mike Perrin, you already have. Perrin is
I took my seat, I heard Patterson say, have to.”
number of disgruntled, anxious Longhorns
They already have, according to Longhorn
within the UT Men’s athletic circle.
Nation.
such a good fit as UT Men’s A.D. that my only regret is that his status is ‘interim’. I
One former athlete (from a non-revenue
BY ERIC NAHLIN New Texas Athletic Director, Mike Perrin,
sums things up succinctly, even if it is
Perrin’s own football career ended in
has led quite the life which in turn culmi-
from Texas Monthly in 1987:
1968, the year UT started its 30-game
nates in quite the resume to prepare him
winning streak. He’s been at the start of Mike Perrin, attorney, Houston.
something big before but unable to see it
Leader of younger generation of
through. Will that change? Will he attempt
Once he was named, two friends and
politicallyactive plaintiff’s attorneys.
to make this a long term vocation in place
commenters here sent me texts familiar-
Also could go on “Couples” list
of law, or will he simply stay long enough
izing me with Perrin after being friends
with wife, Melinda, daughter of
to unite the differing factions involved in
with Mr. Perrin’s sons for years. The
former attorney general and Chief
the bloodless coups of recent years?
remarks were positively glowing. Perrin
Justice John Hill.
for his new “interim” job.
seems to be a man of character with a
Another question, with his background in
deep devotion to The University. ‘Deep’
He and his wife have two sons; one a
football and certain understanding of how
doesn’t really do it justice.
world class guitarist who toured and
big the rivalry is with A&M, will he attempt
recorded with John Fogerty. The guitar-
to mend those fences as well? His family
It’s well documented Perrin is a former
ist, Hunter, is married to actress Mary
does, after all, appear to be familiar with
Longhorn linebacker who played under
Bonner-Baker, the daughter of former
arranged marriages (that’s a joke).
DKR. From there, he went into law after
US Secretary of State, James Baker.
of course getting his Doctor of Jurispru-
The other son is a former participant in
Welcome to the 40 Acres, Athletic Direc-
dence from UT Law School.
America’s Cup. Life is good in the Perrin
tor Perrin, a place you never really left.
household. I could go on about his career, but this
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TEXAS COMES U The most improbable Texas comeback in a decade was dashed by the failure to execute football’s most automatic play: the PAT. Texas quarterback Jerrod Heard’s 45-yard TD run with 71 seconds left rallied UT from a 21-point deficit only to drop a 45-44 heartbreaker to California after Nick Rose missed the point-after.
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UP JUST SHORT by Bill Frisbie
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- TEXAS vs CAL -
T
he play is so mechanical that coach
It offset an otherwise gleaming perfor-
breaking.
mance from Heard who practically stole
Charlie Strong didn’t even bother to
watch it. He was already in deep discus-
Rose has shown he can nail PATs follow-
the spotlight from highly-touted Cal QB
sion with defensive coordinator Vance
ing a backwards flip. He presumably kicks
Jared Goff. Two weeks ago, Texas’ of-
Bedford strategizing for Cal’s last posses-
them in his sleep. But assuming he got
fense ranked dead last nationally in total
sion. Strong turned to the field only when
any sleep at all Saturday night, the morn-
offense. In Heard’s second career start,
he caught Cal players celebrating in the
ing will at least dawn with this encouraging
the RS-freshman helped engineer 650
north end zone.
insight: the bitter loss appears to be the
yards of total offense (the 10th best show-
final building block in the culture change
ing in school history).
“I was hoping Rose would pick up the ball
Strong has been trying to instill within
and score,” Strong said privately after his
the program. For the first time in Strong’s
“The strength of our team is that we
press conference.
tenure, the locker room was hurting. For
showed we can fight,” Heard said. “We
the first time, the locker room cares.
can fight all the way to the end. We can
By then, Rose was already in the fetal
On more than one occasion following
win ballgames.”
position.
Strong’s nine losses at Texas, he inter-
“He definitely felt down like all of us,” said
rogated his team: “Where is your pride?
Texas will not face an NFL-caliber QB
When are you going to start fighting?”
like Goff at home the rest of the season. He made it look easy, playing jump ball
Shiro Davis. “We all had a shot to win this
against a UT secondary thinned early with
game. We can’t put this all on him.”
They started September 19th.
Sure, you can put much of this on a Texas
And the partisan crowd of 91,568 knew
Haines was ejected in the first quarter
defense that gave up 280 yards rushing
it, giving the home team a rare standing
for targeting; Jason Hall left the field with
(mainly up the gut). You can also point
ovation following a loss.
a shoulder injury. Goff finished 27-of-37
the loss of both starting safeties – Dylan
passing for 268 yards and broke three
to four straight abysmal offensive series
school records Saturday.
that included turnovers on Texas’ final
“What we’ve seen in the past is that when
possession, and first possession, of each
we get down 21, we end up getting blown
half. The cumulative effect was Cal’s 31
out,” Strong said, “and now you watch
Yet, Heard more than compensated with
unanswered points, but that made the
them continue to fight and come back,
364 passing yards (10th best in school
Heard-orchestrated comeback all the
fight themselves back into it and continue
history). His 163 rushing yards (on 24
more impressive — and all the more heart
to play.”
attempts) marks the first time a Longhorns freshman QB rushed for 100 yards since Vince Young matched that total against Nebraska 12 years ago. The spark, the energy, the hope that Heard has given this program is immeasurable. “He’s exciting, and he has brought excitement into the team,” Strong said. “You watch our whole sideline now when the offense takes the field. The guys are locked in.” The offense at least seems capable of carrying the water until Texas’ stunningly porous run defense can stop the bleeding. To be fair, there were bright spots. The nation’s worst third down defense limited Cal to 5-of-13 conversions while recovering two fumbles. The defense also held Cal scoreless in the fourth quarter. Yet, Cal tailback Khalfani Muhammad had Connor Williams
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a career-night with 164 yards on just 10
- TEXAS vs CAL -
carries. His 74-yard TD run late in the third
Johnathan Gray
quarter appeared to be the dagger. Rhetoric from players is a broken record: there’s a loss in gap-control, shedding blocks, arm tackling, poor pursuit angles and, for the umpteenth time, players insisted it’s all correctable. On its second series, Cal moved the chains on 3rd-and-10, 3rd-and-7 and then scored on 3rd-and-goal from the 6 with Goff’s 6-yard toss to Maurice Harris. Haines was ejected for targeting on Goff’s 22-yard toss to TE Stephen Anderson on 3rd-and-7 from the 34. The visitors took the 7-0 lead following an 11-play, 64-yard march. Texas answered, but first had to dig itself out of a hole following a 5-yard TFL and a motion penalty. Then, on 3rd-and-20, Heard reminded fans why he’s behind center. He connected with Daje Johnson on a 45-yard swing route down the left sideline. Heard then found Johnathan Gray on a 28-yard wheel route all the way to the 2. Next play, Heard bounced outside right end and simply outran a defense into the north end zone. This one was knotted at seven with 5:16 left in the opening frame. Next series, Hall left the field (shoulder injury), leaving Texas woefully thin in the
It set up Rose’s 27-yard FG to give Texas
Then, following a 50-yard Texas punt,
a 10-7 lead little more than two minutes in
Davis sack-and-strip of Goff led to Tank
the second quarter.
Jackson’s fumble recovery at the Golden Bear 6-yard line. Next play, Gray ran
Cal rolled the dice on 4th-and-three at
untouched through a gaping hole, and it
the Texas 17. It paid off when Z-receiver
was a 24-14 scoreboard with 92 seconds
Kenny Lawler had a step on DB John Bon-
left. But it would be deadlocked at 24 at
ney to cap Cal’s 8-play, 75-yard scoring
intermission. Cal scored twice in the last
drive at the 10-minute mark.
52 seconds of the half and, indeed, on five straight possessions.
One particular series exemplified the Heard difference. It was an improbable
Fans began to trickle toward the exits,
95-yard scoring drive midway through the
but Heard’s late magic kept most in their
second quarter that began, inauspiciously,
seats. His bobbing-and-weaving 13-yard
after Gray returned a Cal kickoff to the
TD run on third down cut the deficit to 14
in the end zone for the touchback.
5-yard line. But Heard would scramble
with 13:24 left. The buzz within the sta-
for 34 yards on 2nd-and-13 from the 2. A
dium palpable – yes, there really might be
“I like to hit,” Vaccaro said. “I just hit him.
couple of snaps later, John Burt made a
a comeback unseen at DKR since Vince
great adjustment on an underthrown ball
Young led his troops to an historic come-
was going crazy.”
for a 43-yard grab. Gray darted untouched
back against Oklahoma State in 2004.
Vaccaro finished with a career-best, and a
14, Texas, with 7:53 left in the half.
secondary (thin, but not delicate). Kevin Vaccaro brought the wood and forced a Muhammad fumble at the Texas 3-yard line. CB Antwuan Davis recovered the gift
I didn’t know he fumbled it but everyone
game-best, nine tackles. Freshman Malik
on 1st-and-goal from the 6 to make it 17Yet, at the end of the day, the most important stat was Texas was 5-of-6 on PATs.
Jefferson also posted nine stops.
Texas’ defense rose to the occasion on consecutive series. First, Duke Thomas
“Everyone is hurt by this,” Vaccaro said,
Heard found a wide-open Johnson down
corralled Stephen Anderson for a 1-yard
“but we’re going to bounce back from this.
gain on 3rd-and-two from the 22. An illegal
We’re going to learn a lot from this came
substitution penalty forced a 44-yard Matt
and come closer as a team.”
the right sideline for a 54-yard reception on 3rd-and-7 from the 23. Johnson’s 145 yards on five catches were a career-best.
Anderson’s FG attempt that sailed wide right with 4:52 remaining.
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- TEXAS vs CAL -
WHAT THEY SAID... CHARLIE STRONG “The last run he scored on the touch-
DAJE JOHNSON
down was really electric. I mean, you see where he takes off and we called a draw, he makes a wide-out miss and then all of a sudden -- an open field is very dangerous. But just watching him, he’s exciting, and he has brought the excitement to the team.”
“Hey man, Jerrod, he’s a baller. He’s going
JERROD HEARD “I told them that we are going to get this ball in the end zone. I have faith in them, and Coach (Strong) called the play. I just relied on
to come play every week, so I’m excited for him, and I’m excited for his success, and I just hope he plays like that every week and just leads the team to victory, because the
those guys and did my part. I just
team is going to get even better. We’re get-
keep talking to them and try to be
ting better each week.”
that motivator. I knew we were going to come back and fight and that it would be a shootout in the end.”
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A LOSS FROM THE
AUSTIN — It happened again. For the second straight week, a special teams blunder doomed Texas in the final minute. This time, freshman punter Michael Dickson’s 10-yard shank setup Oklahoma State deep in UT territory for a chipshot, game-winning field goal. Ben Grogan’s 40-yarder with six seconds left gave Oklahoma State a stunning 30-27 win at DKR – Texas Memorial Stadium. 30
E TWILIGHT ZONE
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- TEXAS vs OKLAHOMA STATE -
I
didn’t seem to have many at all.”
t was OSU’s second FG in the final 86 seconds and its only points of the fourth quarter. It reveals just how close, and yet so
Texas’ Jekyll-and-Hyde defense at least gave the team a chance
far, the Texas program is under coach Charlie Strong’s watch.
with two scores. (The last time Texas’ D tallied two scores was at “You look at two straight Saturday’s that you had it right there in
Oklahoma State in 2009). Freshman Holton Hill’s 41-yard pick-6
your hands,” Strong said, “and we let it slip away from us.”
gave Texas a 27-24 lead with 1:34 left in the third. Earlier Hassan Ridgeway’s 34-yard, scoop-and-score pulled Texas to within 14-
Strong also let something slip away from him in the final minute.
13 late in the first quarter. In addition, Texas held the Cowboys to
His composure.
103 rushing yards on 46 attempts. But third down is going to be a frustrating adventure for a defense that allowed 9-of16 against a starting QB who’s not going to make anybody in Stillwater forget about Brandon Weeden any time soon. The most egregious 3rd down stat, however, belongs to a Texas offense that managed just 4-of-16 conversions. The offense did nothing when a defensive stop put it in prime real estate. Texas came away empty in the second half on a drive that began at its own 47 and another that started at the Cowboys 39. It was enough for Norvell to suggest that Texas may have to scale back more on the playbook than it already has. Heard had a tougher day at the office
Hassan Ridgeway
now that teams have film on him. He was Texas’ leading rusher with 103 yards on 19 carries but was sacked seven times,
Grogan’s 41-yarder knotted the affair following a 27-yard drive
including twice on what could have been a game-winning final
that benefitted from 25 yards in Texas penalties. Strong was
series. Texas reached the OSU 25 late in the third, but Heard was
flagged for a 15-yarder after disputing a holding call against DT
sacked for a 22-yard loss on 3rd-and-10. He also suffered a pair
Poona Ford. A somber Strong conceded: “I probably shouldn’t
of 6-yard sacks after Dylan Haines’ 29-yard INT to the OSU 39
have got the call I got, but I got upset.” Later he added, “I’ve never
with 13:40 left.
heard, in all my years of coaching, of a defensive holding penalty “We’ve got to do a better job of protecting Jerrod on third down,”
on a running play.”
Norvell said. “That’s just the bottom line. We knew people weren’t It’s hard to remember the last time officiating played such a promi-
going to let him run around like they did last week. That’s just real-
nent role in the outcome of a Texas game. Penalties negated two
ity. These are good coaches. They’re going to make you earn it.”
Longhorns touchdowns. At the end of the day, the Horns were flagged 16 times for 128 yards while OSU was penalized just
Texas never moved the chains after RT Kent Perkins suffered
seven times for 40 yards.
a knee injury in the third quarter. There would be five straight 3-and-outs prior to Dickson’s shank. Perkins would be out for an
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been in a game that was so lopsided with
indefinite period of time, Strong said.
penalties,” said play-caller Jay Norvell. “We had a bunch and they
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- TEXAS vs OKLAHOMA STATE -
“He is able to block the edge, and they were able to get pressure,”
“A holding call can go 50-50,” said LG Sedrick Flowers. “There’s
Strong said. “We got beat twice when he was out, and Jerrod
holding on every play.”
had to step up and run out of there, but with Perkins in there that Tyrone Swoopes made his second appearance of the day on a
would never have happened.”
spirited run where he changed directions and kept it for the score, UT’s Daje Johnson, Marcus Johnson, and Andrew Beck were
giving Texas its first lead at 20-17 with 5:02 left in the first half. It
guilty of drive-killing drops. In fact, Heard’s only INT came after
was part of a new package where Swoopes emerged as a short-
the ball glanced off Johnson’s hands late in the third.
yardage specialist, running for 35 yards on three carries. The package is intended to protect Heard, Strong said.
Oklahoma State signal-caller Mason Rudolph should have been sacked three times on 3rd-and-8, but his 17-yard TD toss to
Swoopes capped Texas’ best drive of the day that covered 97
Brandon Shepherd completed a 9-play, 69-yard drive on OSU’s
yards in 12 plays. But it would be the last time Texas’ offense
opening series. Marcus Johnson’s first reception of the season
would score all day.
was 47-yard strike on the first play of Texas’ second series. It set up Nick Rose’s 41-yard FG after the option toss to Johnathan
Texas opened the second half with a TD nullified by penalty. Se-
Gray lost a yard.
nior WR Marcus Johnson was flagged for an illegal forward pass (just barely) that wiped out a 52-yard TD pass to a wide-open
The visitors responded in five plays. Pokes QB J.W. Walsh ran
John Burt. It led to a 3-and-out, followed by a 98-yard Cowboys
untouched up the middle from four yards out to make it 14-3 half-
scoring drive.(The Cowboys moved the chains on 3rd-and-7, 3rd-
way through the first quarter. Two holding penalties and a false
and-5, and scored on 3rd-and-goal from the 1).
start negated a promising Texas drive that saw Heard scramble for 13 on 3rd-and-10 and Swoopes run for a spirited, fist-pumping
Texas’ only score following intermission was courtesy of Hill’s
12. Texas settled for a 46-yard Rose FG.
pick-six. In fact, the Horns mustered just 48 yards during the final 30 minutes of play.
Rudolph hit nine of his first 10 passes, and finished 22-of-34 for 290 yards, including two INTs and a fumble. Early on, he made it
“Everybody is just mad at how we’ve been losing the last two
look easy with slant after slant after slant. This one was starting
weeks,” Gray said. “We don’t want to lose like this.”
to get u-g-l-y when Rudolph’s 11-yard completion over the middle This program is running out of ways to snatch defeat from the
gave him a first-down at the 43.
jaws of victory. Texas has now lost consecutive games by a comBut DT Hassan Ridgeway’s 34-yard, scoop-and-score gave Texas
bined four points. Strong is now 7-10 after having dropped five of
new life after the ball slipped out of Rudolph’s mitts. The Horns
the last six. And, at 1-3, the 2015 Longhorns are off to their worst
pulled within a point 25 seconds into the second quarter.
start since the pre-Darrell Royal days of 1956.
“It would have felt good winning,” Ridgeway said. “That’s the only
Right now, it’s hard to find five more wins for this team to be bowl
thing that would have felt good.”
eligible. It may get worse before it gets better. And the bleeding won’t stop until more players on a young team grow-up at least to the point where they play more angry than scared.
Lightning almost struck twice for the Longhorns defense, but freshman CB Kris Boyd’s 37-yard INT return was nullified by a roughing the passer call against Paul Boyette. The Cowboys
For now, about all Strong could do in the post-game locker room
finished the 12-play drive with a 34-yard Grogan FG.
is wax philosophically about life.
Two penalties, including a personal foul on Daje Johnson’s 15-
“This game is a game of life. When you get knocked down, you’ve
yard return, meant Texas operated from its own 3. Gray’s 42-yard
got to be able to pick yourself up.”
dash through a gaping hole over LT gave Texas a fresh set of downs at midfield. The Horns faced a 4th-and-2 from the 7 follow-
It’s just that it’s going to be harder the second time.
ing Patrick Vahe’s holding penalty.
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- TEXAS vs OKLAHOMA STATE -
WHAT THEY SAID... HASSAN RIDGEWAY “When we lose, we’re not going to go down. We’re going to learn from it. We
JOHNATHAN GRAY
learned from last week. We came out with a better mindset and came to win. We had some tough breaks, but we’re going to fight every week. That’s not going to be a problem.”
“Everybody is just mad at how we have been losing for the past two weeks. We
TYRONE SWOOPES “I was excited. It was just another
don’t want to lose like this. We were just
chance to get on the field and help
picking guys up an deverybody still has a
the team out.”
positive mind. We all came around each other. We are brothers and we just have to keep everyone’s spirits up. Leaders have to lead and be able to overcome this.”
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STREAM OF CONSCI by Eric Nahlin
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John Burt
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I__SNESS
F
or emotionally involved Texas fans, the first four games of the 2015 season have been extremely tough to handle. Imagine how the coaches and players must feel. Coaches who know they’re putting players in the right
position to make game defining plays in many cases, and players often not coming through, whether it’s missing what would be a simple tackle for loss and getting off the field, or making special teams gaffes that snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. So far the season has been one of two steps backwards, one step forward. Let’s summate each game individually, then add it all together.
Texas at Notre Dame, September 5th Despite the excitement of kicking off the season in perhaps the most storied stadium in the sport, Texas looked just as it did in its previous two games versus TCU and Arkansas. Excitement was quickly dashed as there was no evident changes to the offense or Tyrone Swoopes’ psyche. In short, the Texas team and fan base was hoodwinked by Shawn Watson and his repeated statements of modernizing the offense. To make matters worse, the Texas defense was deeply flawed in ways it hadn’t shown last year. It quickly became evident this team was not ready to play on the big stage. Same old offense, this time with three true freshman starters, and the defense looked nothing like last year, both in personnel and in secondary coverage looks. The expected ravages of graduation quickly reared its head and Texas never stood a chance. Score: Notre Dame 38, Texas 3 Result: Shawn Watson was expeditiously demoted, as was Tyrone Swoopes. In their place Strong promoted wide receivers coach Jay Norvell and redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard.
Texas vs. Rice, September 12th Life was quickly breathed into the offense once Watson was demoted. The program’s lungs officially reached capacity when Heard took to the field rather than Swoopes. Heard excelled immediately for two reasons; Norvell simplified the offense greatly and Heard’s improvisational skills eased the strain on the poor performing offensive line and helped create a threatening run game. The energy was palpable in all three phases of the game as Texas scored a touchdown via punt return and a fumble return, as well as through offense. Texas kept it simple and let athletes do athletic things and Rice was no match, despite having a strong day offensively against a still struggling defense. Score: Texas 42, Rice 28 Result: The offense finally had the semblance of an identity. Texas was now just as big of a threat for a big play as it was a three and out. The vertical passing game interspersed with zone read was giving defenders much more to think about, as we witnessed on the first play of the second half when Heard connected with John Burt for 69 yards.
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- stream of consi__sness -
Texas vs. Cal, September 19th
This game will forever be remembered for the horrendous refereeing and missed opportunities, but we could for the third game in a row
After the first two games there was an abundance of questions surrounding the Texas defense and those were only highlighted as the high scoring Bears came to town. What happened to UT’s defensive line? What about the secondary? Why couldn’t linebackers find their run fits? None of these were answered in the first three quarters, but in the fourth quarter the entire team rallied, including the defense to give Texas a chance to tie the game. We know what happened from there.
see some obvious improvements, this time on the defensive side of the ball as well as the offensive line. The d-line started making plays in the backfield. The linebackers were more often than not in the right place and the extremely talented freshmen defensive backs made big plays. Texas scored two defensive touchdowns but it wasn’t enough as yet another special teams malfunction sealed the team’s fate late in the game. Score: Oklahoma State 30, Texas 27 Result: Fury over the refereeing and outright befuddlement over the
Score: Cal 45, Texas 44 Result: Jerrod heard had his way in the air and on the ground, setting the single game yardage record for one of the most prestigious programs in the nation. Despite the loss, excitement was justifiably coursing through the fan base. At long last, Texas had found its quarterback, and maybe, just maybe, the defense was starting to get things together.
fumbled punt snap. How could Texas lose back to back games in this manner? With TCU up next, the team can only get back to work and put this one behind it. Four games in. Four points away from being 3-1 and everyone thinking Texas is on its way back. Four points from the simple minded national media thinking Charlie Strong is the right man to bring Texas back to prominence. Instead, we get to hear from how Texas is in a
Texas vs. Oklahoma State, September 26th
tailspin. But is it?
Jerrod Heard
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- stream of consi__sness -
PROCESS GIVES WAY TO RESULTS Strong will ultimately be measured by wins and losses and he wouldn’t have it any other way, but for now he simply needs to inspire the belief he has the team on an optimistic trajectory. If you’re not excited about the freshmen on this team then you’re incapable of getting excited about football. In many ways it’s a shame Strong must play so many freshmen so soon, in other ways, it’s a great sign of things to come. The team’s best offensive lineman is Connor Williams at left tackle. The team’s best linebacker is Malik Jefferson at Mike. The three highest upside defensive backs are freshmen corners, Kris Boyd, Holton Hill, and Davante Davis. The most explosive wide receiver is John Burt. These aren’t bit characters, this is the youthful cast from the movie The Outsiders. These are future marquee names soon to be known nationwide and they’re but a handful of a dozen freshmen playing real snaps and making real plays.
Jeff Traylor
A huge part of Strong’s process is talent acquisition and implementation. It’s a big part of any coach worth his salt, but with Strong it defines him as his many unearthed gems find their way from unknown high school recruit to NFL draft boards. Strong has never had a class as talented as the one he just signed in 2015. He’s also never had to rely on so much young talent so soon.
sions were huge for the fortunes of this team for this season and likely well beyond. Norvell has put Texas in an offense that plays to the strengths of the roster. Fast players are being put in space. Jerrod Heard is making plays with both his legs and arm, rather than having brain-lock in
Compared to a couple years ago the team is without question tougher and more physical. Instilling these important traits is also part of Strong’s process and it’s also something he looks for in high school players. You don’t have to look very hard to see this team starting to emerge in its coach’s image.
Watson’s passing game. And oh, by the way, Norvell’s position group of wide receivers hasn’t been plagued by the drops (though there have been some, specifically with the slot receivers) they were in August practice and their perimeter blocking improves weekly. Traylor’s tight ends are also blocking well thanks in no small part to
Strong’s process will yield positive results and winning seasons if he is given time. It’s up to Strong to make sure that’s palpable enough to a demanding fan base and brain trust.
Caleb Bluiett being moved there, and also the angles his tight ends are given in blocking thanks to being moved around so much. As special teams coach, Traylor has helped improve coverage teams by leaps and bounds. My apologies if you think coaching has anything to do with Nick Rose missing an extra point or Michael Dickson dropping a punt snap.
NEW HIRES MAKING IMMEDIATE IMPACT
These two hires from Strong have looked like homeruns thus far.
Imagine this staff with Les Koenning still on it. Nothing against Coach K., but his removal made room for the current offensive coordinator. We’ve beaten the horse to death that Strong hired a poor offensive staff when he arrived at Texas, but with the hiring of Jay Norvell and Jeff Traylor, he appears to have righted his early wrongs. Those two deci-
Strong also hired Brick Haley in the off season and I have his grade as incomplete after the first month of play. The defensive line got off to a rough start for a few reasons we’ve belabored; injuries, lack of talent in some places, not controlling gaps, etc. Over the last six quarters Hassan Ridgeway has come alive and all of a sudden the entire defense is
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39
- stream of consi__sness looking much more formidable. I expect to see continued improvement but the d-line will have its hands full with a seasoned TCU offense
quarterback pressure and coverage - Still not dynamic or varied enough in the run game, even with Heard
next Saturday.
added to the equation - Team is having trouble generating a pass rush consistently
TEAM STRENGTHS
- Talent/experience deficiencies has kept Texas out of some of the looks/coverages that made the defense formidable in ‘14
- Team has an offensive identity for the first time in years - A quarterback, Texas has a quarterback
SUMMING UP THE FIRST FOUR GAMES
- New blood is extremely talented; 2015 is littered with future pros - Despite all the upheaval, the team has stayed together. There’s plenty of leadership
Strong made a costly but understandable mistake to stick with not
- Speed, speed, speed on offense
only Shawn Watson but also Tyrone Swoopes to start the season. He
- Big play ability has returned in all three phases
quickly remedied those decisions and ever since, the makings of a
- Offensive line is improving noticeably each game
real football team are coming into focus, though the incredible back
- Defensive line and defense in general is improving
to back losses have blurred that some. Defensively, Vance Bedford’s
- The talent level is improved from last year
decision to go with youth from here on out will make for numerous WTF! and WTF? plays, but those lumps must be absorbed at some point, might as well be now.
TEAM WEAKNESSES
The team is now in a place where fans can have genuine expecta- Can’t close out games
tions of coherent play on both sides of the ball, but patience is key as
- Inexperience has led to many blown assignments and missed
the freshmen and redshirt freshmen continue to make mistakes on
opportunities
their way to becoming reliable difference makers, starters and depth
- No true run plugging linebacker, though they’re getting better in
players. For the program’s sake, let’s hope those inevitable mistakes
this regard
are kept to a minimum and Texas can start getting some wins versus
- Too many costly mistakes at inopportune times
quality opponents upcoming. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that
- Safety play is offering little in coverage or run support
this team steals a game or two as a big underdog.
- 3rd down defense is keeping opponents in games thanks to poor
Kris Boyd
40
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Kraken_Texas_mechanical.indd 1
5/19/11 2:17:09 PM
RECRUITING UPDATE by Justin Wells and Ian Boyd
Heavy in playmaking ability, long in talent, here’s the Recruiting Notebook for some of the Texas commits from the Classes of 2016 and 2017.
SAM EHLINGER, QB Westlake, TX (2017) How he fits at Texas: Ehlinger is a dream QB prospect for Shawn Watson. He IDs coverages, freezes defenders with his eyes, throws with anticipation, and can make throws all over the field. When he uses his legs, he has great lateral quickness and gets up to speed very quickly, although his top speed is very limited. At 207 pounds, he’s not afraid to finish runs by lowering the shoulder but at college he’d need to dial that back. This gritty young Texan is currently dominating within a spread O geared around vertical option routes but his skill set could easily be harnessed in Watson’s multiple, pro-style attack after he’d been schooled in new pre and post-snap options for attacking defenses. – Ian Boyd
Coach says: This kid makes it look easy out there. Has more than
How this affects Texas: It’s well-documented that Ehlinger
enough arm to make the throws you want, and is able to put plenty
is a fan of UT. Now it looks like UT is a fan of Ehlinger. After
of touch on his deep balls as he drops it right in the bucket. Like
the junior signal-caller won Top Gun honors at the Elite QB
how he climbs the pocket when he feels the rush coming, stands
camp, he was invited today for an unofficial visit with Shawn
tall and delivers strikes. Has some sneaky athleticism to him, looks
Watson and the staff. Shortly after receiving that offer, he
like he will be able to pick up some yards with his feet when neces-
rewarded Strong with a pledge. It was a lifelong dream.
sary, and be able to extend some plays when things break down.
Now, he’s got two years to focus on high school before
This kid is my second favorite quarterback in the state in a very
embarking on the journey of as Texas Longhorn QB. Must
loaded year for signal callers.
be nice. – Justin Wells
How he fits at Texas: Dickson is the kind of kid that Dana Holgorsen would play out wide and then use to torment corners trying to cover him out wide. He’s all kinds of quick on timing routes with some double move skills and flypaper hands to bring it all together. Although he’s only around 6-foot-0, he’s the kind of player you can throw it up to because of said hands and because of his vertical leaping and body control in the air. He’s probably a Z receiver at Texas that stays out wide and works over opponents outside the hash marks. - Ian Boyd
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Coach says: This kid comes from a football factory in
How this affects Texas: Eboh
Southlake Carroll, so you know
is a known commodity in Austin.
he is coached up. He’s tall,
He’s also a fan of the Longhorns
long, rangy, – what coaches
and Charlie Strong. I’m hearing
across the country are looking
the latter more and more these
for – and he has decent make-
days. Eboh attended one of the
up speed. On top of that, he is
UT football camps in June and
physical and has no problem
left impressed by the program
laying the wood, or coming up
and staff. With his breakout
and putting a body on the ball
performance at The Opening, I
carrier in run support. This is
wouldn’t be surprised if Strong
the type of corner everyone is
offers sooner rather than later.
looking to get on their team,
Well, later happened and Eboh
and after his performance at
committed to the Longhorns. The
The Opening, I think it is safe
OBI EBOH, CB
DBU legacy continues...
to say even more schools will
Southlake Carroll, TX (2016)
– Justin Wells
take notice of him. How he fits at Texas: Eboh checks off the main desired attributes of a Strong corner with length (6-foot-1), quickness (4.57 40, 4.31 shuttle and comfortable with shuffle technique), and physicality in a Carroll defense that asks him at times to be a force player and at other times to be a deep zone player. At Texas, he’d fit best as a field corner that could use the wide spaces there as a shield to protect his lack of elite recovery speed. Eboh is a great cover 3 corner as his length would make deep throws risky while his willingness and ability as a tackler would help the D bend without breaking. He’s a versatile enough DB to be a take for the Texas D.
– Ian Boyd
How this affects Texas: A week before Under the Lights, and Texas is already sizzling with momentum. Navasota 4-star and record-setting wide receiver Tren’Davian Dickson has committed to Texas. Dickson, once pledged to Baylor, chose UT over Texas A&M, Baylor, Alabama, and USC. Dickson, 6-foot-0, 170, set the national record for scoring receptions in 2014 with 39 touchdowns. He tallied 2,136 yards on 89 catches as a junior. Not bad for the young man from Navasota and a nice grab for Texas playcaller, Jay Norvell. Dickson plans to enroll early at Texas. - Justin Wells
Coach says: All the man does is catch touchdowns. I just call him him TD, because he is always getting into the end zone. He isn’t the biggest or the fastest guy you will see at the position, but he catches virtually everything thrown his way. Anytime you put up north of 2,000 yards receiving and crush the national record for touchdown grabs, you are doing something right. Go back and watch the state title game and you will see that this kid is a gamer. He’s great in routes, in and out of his cuts, good feet, and those hands. Man, those hands..
TREN’DAVIAN DICKSON, WR Navasota, TX (2016)
insidetexas.com
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