Double Coverage 2015-09-18 by The Daily Texan

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COVERAGE Friday, September 18, 2015

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Friday, September 18, 2015

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SCENARIOS By Jillian Kushner @illiankushner

Texas wins if…

Rachel Zein | Daily Texan Staff

Young Texas fans cheer for the Longhorns during the Texas v. Rice game. Texas won 42-28.

DOUBLE

presents

COVERAGE Vol. 10, Issue 4

Friday, September 18, 2015

Double Coverage Editor...................................Nick Castillo Design Editor..................................................Iliana Storch Photo Editor......................................................Amy Zhang Copy Editor.............................................Blanche Schaefer Cover Photo............................................Graeme Hamilton Writers: Jacob Martella Claire Cruz

Akshay Mirchandani

Jori Epstein

Blanche Schaefer

Jason Epstein Jillian Kushner

Ezra Siegel Aaron Torres

EDITOR’S NOTE Texas redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard revitalized a stagnant Longhorn offense with his first collegiate start. His 120 passing yards, two touchdowns and 96 rushing yards alongside two big plays from a Daje Johnson punt return and a fumble return from Malik Jefferson helped Texas defeat Rice 42-28. With a tough California team coming to Austin, the Longhorns have a golden opportunity to show they’ve improved.

Special teams plays like it did against Rice. Special teams has not been a strong suit for Texas in recent years, but there was a notable difference in the 4228 win. Senior wide receiver Daje Johnson returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown. Texas was actually able to move the ball on kickoffs and punts, which is far from ordinary. If Johnson is able to make big returns again this weekend against Cal, Texas will be hard to stop. Even if the Longhorns are unable to score big, special teams could save the game. The defense can force turnovers. Aside from special teams, turnovers won the game for Texas. Rice had five turnovers compared to Texas’ one. One fumble led to freshman linebacker Malik Jefferson scooping up the ball and running it in for six. These are the plays Texas needs, especially if the offense is unable to be explosive. However, Texas must capitalize on these turnovers — Jefferson’s fumble recovery was the only turnover that resulted in any points against Rice. Jerrod Heard is the quarterback. Saturday’s game made a statement — this is Texas’ quarterback. Was Heard amazing? No. Did he get the job done? Yes. He got the win, which is all that matters. Heard was 4-7 with 120 yards and two touchdowns. What is concerning is that there were only seven pass attempts — Texas needs to get going offensively. Of those 120 yards, 69 yards came on one play. Once again, senior running back Johnathan Gray only had nine carries for 17 yards. Heard’s offense seems to be the answer for Texas.

Texas loses if…

The stat line stays the same. On paper, Texas should have lost to Rice. The Owls had 462 total yards compared to Texas’ 277. Rice had 30 first downs compared to Texas’ 11. Rice had the ball for 44 minutes and Texas only had it for 16 minutes. How did Texas come away with this win? The only answer in the stats is the turnovers. Texas must do better numbers-wise. It is shocking that Texas had 42 points with so few total yards and first downs. Against Cal, this type of play might not fly and could lead to a Texas loss.

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Friday, September 18, 2015

KEYS TO THE GAME By Akshay Mirchandani @amirchandani41

MAKE IT EASY ON HEARD

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard got the start for Texas against Rice and didn’t disappoint, completing 4 of 7 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for 96 yards. Heard is going to be tested this week against California, a team that is No. 5 in the Pac-12 in total defense, making it crucial that the Longhorns make it easy on him. That means taking the pressure off with big plays on special teams, like senior wide receiver Daje Johnson’s punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter against Rice. Or freshman linebacker Malik Jefferson recovering a fumble and returning for a touchdown. Those are the kinds of plays that take the pressure off a young quarterback like Heard. Heard is a talented and electric player, but he’s not a quarterback that’s going to go out and win a game by himself at this stage. He’s going to need help from the players around him, especially against California.

MORE GREAT SPECIAL TEAMS

Lost in all the excitement about Heard was how good special teams was on Saturday. Johnson’s aforementioned touchdown punt return gave the Longhorns a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The senior ended up with

119 punt return yards and took home Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Senior cornerback Duke Thomas had a 56-yard punt return later in the first quarter that put Texas on the Rice six-yard line, and senior running back Johnathan Gray punched the ball in to go up 21-0. If Johnson goes back to being a dangerous guy in the return game, it adds another dimension to the Longhorns. Big plays on special teams spark other parts of the team, and Texas is going to need another nice showing from that unit if it hopes to beat California.

DEFENSE NEEDS TO SHOW UP

Texas actually did a decent job of putting pressure on the Rice offense. The problem was that the Longhorns couldn’t finish plays. Head coach Charlie Strong said in his Monday press conference that Texas missed eight sacks against Rice. The team simply couldn’t get off the field, and Rice took advantage, piling up 462 yards of total offense. That’s not going to fly against California. The Golden Bears have the No. 1 pass offense and No. 2 scoring offense in the Pac12. That’s thanks to junior quarterback Jared Goff, who has passed for 315 yards per game, six touchdowns and two interceptions. Texas has to make those big plays on defense, or California and Goff will carve them up.

Rachel Zein | Daily Texan Staff

Redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard runs past Rice’s defense on Saturday. Heard ran for 96 yards in his collegiate debut against the Owls.

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Golden Bears pro opportunity for Te By Nick Castillo @Nick_Castillo74

Graeme Hamilton | Daily Texan Staff

Freshman cornerback Kris Boyd defends a punt in Texas’ 42-28 win. The cornerback from Gilmer has brought swagger and confidence as he and the freshman class look to help the Longhorns improve in 2015.

Boyd brings swagger to Longhorns By Ezra Siegel @SiegelEzra

Texas’ freshman class has a certain swagger. The talented young group talks a big game, and they bring it, too — freshman cornerback Kris Boyd epitomizes his class’ swagger and confidence. His teammates emphasize that it doesn’t matter whether it’s practice or game time, Boyd makes his presence felt with both his mouth and his play. “[Boyd] has a ton of confidence,” junior defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway said. “He is one of those dudes you are going to have to watch. He is an energy dude, just like Peter [Jinkens]. They are one in the same breed. They are always talking. They are always bringing juice.” With his attitude, Boyd brings a crucial element to the Longhorns’ locker room. In the midst of a long-term rebuild, Texas will have its ups and downs. The players have emphasized that the team was emotionally let down when things went wrong last year, and that the negativity yielded problems on the field. If Boyd’s energy and positivity prove contagious, the Longhorns are less likely to fall victim to the same emotionally-driven fate. While Boyd is not listed as a starter and only plays limited downs, he’s shown a knack for making his playing time count. He was one of the few sparks in Texas’ season opening loss at Notre Dame, as he and fellow freshman linebacker Breckyn Hager made multiple big hits while covering punts on special teams. “Boyd was unbelievable in the kicking game,” head coach Charlie Strong said following the loss. “The thing about him is on the

kickoff I have these two guys who are going to be really great players here.” Boyd saw more opportunities against Rice and made an even bigger impact. He registered two tackles, but made one of the game’s biggest plays while laying a massive hit on Owls’ redshirt senior quarterback Driphus Jackson, which led to a fumble returned for a touchdown. Following the big play, there was no surprise when he let his teammates know about it. “You see Boyd, he comes over to the sideline, he makes a memory when on Malik [Jefferson]’s touchdown, he hits the guy, blows the guy up on the option, and he just runs over to the sideline and puts on his act,” Strong said. While Boyd has been eased into playing time so far, he has no shortage of potential. Standing at six feet tall, he has the size to cover taller receivers and the athleticism to stick with speedsters and pure route runners. Most importantly, he believes in his skills and itches for more opportunities, despite still needing improvement. “He’s a guy who believes he should start, which I love,” defensive coordinator Vance Bedford said. “That’s what you want in a defensive back — he wants to be out there. He’s going through some learning curves right now ... it’s on-the-job training.” Boyd has already made a name for himself in his first two games, but he’s just one of many in Texas’ talented freshman class. Alongside other freshman stars, like linebacker Malik Jefferson and cornerback Holton Hill, Boyd has the chance to lift Texas’ defense back to a dominant level in the coming years. For now, he’s focused on bringing energy and making plays when his number is called.

An air of change swept through Texas when it b An unfilled Darrell K Royal – Texas Mem crowd rose to its feet when redshirt freshman q rod Heard took the field for his first start. He yards, two touchdowns and added 96 yards on t same crowd cheered as senior wide receiver D turned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown. After a disappointing 38-3 opening game Dame, momentum swung in the Longhorns’ fav over the Owls, despite the narrow margin of vic “I think it gives us definitely a good mom team,” Heard said. “It was good for both sides and just for the team, period. It was a great feel guys like that feeling. We’re going to try to get a weekend.” Texas has a chance to build off its much-nee California and its highly touted quarterback Ja to Austin. Goff enters into the game with 630 pa six touchdowns in two games. Longhorns head Strong said the team will have to be consistent the game to stop Goff and the Golden Bears. “What you have to look at, too, you can pla opponent and we have to be ready to go play,” S is a little different than Rice. They’re going to be score a lot of points. If we do give up the poi match the score? That’s going to be key. Offensi down and match it?” Containing California’s offense will be difficu horns’ defense has struggled in their first two defense has given up an average of 494.5 yards is ranked No. 114 in total defense. The Golden Longhorns’ final non-conference opponent, and lik Jefferson said he and his teammates want to ment before Big 12 play. “This is going to be a challenge for us, esp fense,” Jefferson said. “This team likes to throw t very different than most teams we played so far have to focus this week on the passing game, lin ready for running, the O-line getting sacks.” Although California provides a difficult chall horns are riding on their momentum and bel game is a golden opportunity to keep their seas positive direction. “The biggest thing, like I said, we have a lot o and we have a lot of potential,” junior offensive t kins said. “When everyone is on the same pag happen. If we stay on the same page, if the offen field, a lot of good things are going to happen th

ember 18, 2015

ovide Texas

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loss to Notre vor with the win ctory. mentum for the of the ball, too, ling. I think the another one this

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of talented guys tackle Kent Perge, good things nse stays on the his year.” Rachel Zein | Daily Texan Staff

TEXAN STAFF PICKS

NICK CASTILLO

CLAIRE CRUZ

JORI EPSTEIN

Overall Record

15-5

16-4

15-5

Last Weeks Record

8-2

9-1

Cal vs. Texas

Cal 35-27

Auburn vs. LSU

JASON EPSTEIN

Friday, September 18, 2015

JILLIAN KUSHNER

JACOB MARTELLA

AKSHAY MIRCHANDANI

BLANCHE SCHAEFER

EZRA SIEGEL

15-5

16-4

17-3

16-4

15-5

17-3

7-3

8-2

9-1

8-2

7-3

8-2

Cal 31-17

Texas 31-28

Cal 45-28

Texas 35-32

Texas 35-34

Cal 35-21

Cal 38-31

LSU

Georgia Tech vs. Notre Dame

Georgia Tech

Notre Dame

Georgia Tech

Notre Dame

Georgia Tech

Notre Dame

Georgia Tech

Notre Dame

South Carolina vs. Georgia

Georgia

Texas Tech vs. Arkansas

Texas Tech

Arkansas

Texas Tech

Arkansas

Ole Miss vs. Alabama

Ole Miss

Alabama

BYU vs. UCLA

UCLA

BYU

UCLA

BYU

UCLA

BYU

UCLA

Florida St. vs. Boston College

Boston College

Florida St.

Iowa St. vs. Toledo

Toledo

Iowa St.

Toledo

Iowa St.

Toledo

Iowa St.

Nebraska vs. Miami

Nebraska

Miami

Nebraska

Miami

Nebraska

Miami

Cal 38-27

AARON TORRES

Cal 30-21

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Friday, September 18, 2015

Running back Daniel Lasco returns home to Texas By Aaron Torres @aaron_torres95

Before the Golden Bears suit up for practice, he’s there. After practice, when it’s time to read textbooks and solve math problems, he’s still there. He’s in the weight room before anyone else, and he’s there when everyone has left. He was recruited by California before coaches, players and fans knew what he would become. After more than three years in the Golden State -- playing for the Golden Bears – senior running back Daniel Lasco returns to his home state to play the team that didn’t even recruit him. “Anytime you go home and you’ve got people that are going to be there that you know that are family and stuff, it makes it a little bit more special,” said offensive coordinator and running backs coach Tony Franklin. “I’m sure it’s a special trip for him to have a

lot of people get to come and see him play that haven’t seen him play.” It’s been a while since Lasco played in Texas. From 20072011, he donned a green, red and white jersey from The Woodlands High School. When they do see him play, he will look different. He’ll still be the same kid who works hard and leads by example. But he will be different. “He’s increased his level of strength and his level of quickness and his level of speed, and he’s increased his size,” Franklin said. Lasco gained 15-20 pounds of muscle in three years. As a result of bulking up, Franklin says he’s now one of the strongest guys in the weight room. Franklin arrived at California in 2013, so he wasn’t there to witness Lasco’s improvement from his freshman year to his senior year. But he was able to watch the exponential growth from last year to this year. But what led to the leap Las-

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Quarterback Jared Goff Predicted to be one of the top quarterbacks in the 2016 NFL draft, Jared Goff could break this game wide open for Cal. The junior quarterback boasts more than 8,000 passing yards and 59 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Bears. Goff ranked fifth in the nation in 2014 with 3,973 yards through the air, and he put up a career-high 527 yards in a 60-59 win over Washington State. He’s already thrown for 630 yards in two games this year, with 321 yards and three touchdowns in last weekend’s 35-7 win over San Diego State. Goff and Cal’s air raid attack could put up big numbers against a Texas defense that’s given up 547 pass yards and 989 yards of total offense in two games this season. Wide receiver Kenny Lawler Cal’s core group of receivers is led by junior Kenny Lawler, who accumulated 701 yards on 54 receptions in 2014, putting up a career-high 138 yards in a Cal loss to BYU last season. Lawler is poised to have another strong season, as he had 69 yards on 6 receptions with three touchdowns in a Week 1 route of Grambling State. With Goff behind center and a stable of talented receivers such as Lawler at their disposal, the pass-happy Bears offense will look to take advantage of a weak Longhorns secondary.

co took in skill? Maybe it was, as Franklin put it, he had a lot of reps and a lot of chances to improve his craft. In his junior year, Lasco rushed for 1,115 yards on 210 rushes. He scored 12 touchdowns. He got better. “He understands how to finish runs better,” Franklin said. “He’s a dynamic run finisher now, and you know, he’s a 210, 215-pound kid that can finish runs. That’s pretty amazing when you can run as fast as he can and finish the way he does.” Lasco’s numbers were great last season, but it’s one number that led to that performance. It’s the number 10,000, and it stands for the 10,000-hour rule California preaches. “There’s a saying that when you put in about 10,000 hours of something, that’s to a point where you master it,” sophomore running back Vic Enwere said. “So you keep going until you get to 10,000 hours.” Working on something for 10,000 hours seems impossible. “But it’s the idea that you

Senior running back Daniel Lasco runs past San Diego State last Saturday. He returns to Texas to face the Longhorns.

Courtesy of Phillip Downey The Daily Californian

keep working for the pursuit of perfection,” Enwere said. Maybe it’s because of his mindset to achieve perfection that Lasco has become one of the best running backs in the nation. Saturday night at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium, he has 60 minutes to show Texas what it missed out on. He’s worked 10,000 hours for these 60 minutes.

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By Blanche Schaefer @schaefer_bb

Running back Daniel Lasco Cal also poses a threat on the ground with its leading rusher, senior running back Daniel Lasco. He rushed for 1,115 yards in a breakout 2014 season with a career-high 188 yards in a 45-31 win over Oregon State. Lasco is off to a hot start in 2015, running for 123 yards on nine carries last weekend as Cal cruised to a 35-7 victory over San Diego State. However, he left the game in the fourth quarter with a hip strain after colliding with an Aztecs defender. Bears head coach Sonny Dykes said in a conference call Sunday night that Lasco is expected to play Saturday, which could spell bad news for a Texas defense who’s struggled to contain the run game. Wide receiver Trevor Davis Senior Trevor Davis is making an impact for the Bears at receiver and on special teams as kick returner. One of the top kick returners in the country in 2014, he racked up 424 kickoff return yards and two kick return touchdowns, both coming back-to-back in the third quarter of a 60-59 Cal win over Washington State. Davis is already adding to his 1,170 career receiving yards, bringing in a 75-yard touchdown reception from Goff for a career-high 138-yard game en route to a win over San Diego State last Saturday. The Longhorns will need to stay on their toes to keep Davis from breaking through for explosive returns.

fourstarevents@trudys.com

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Friday, September 18, 2015

HEISMAN WATCH By Claire Cruz

Daily Texan Columnist @claireecruz5

1. Nick Chubb, Georgia RB 2015: 309 yards on 35 carries, 2 TD This week: vs. South Carolina Chubb ran all over Vanderbilt last week for 189 yards on 19 carries. Although he didn’t get into the end zone, he was a key factor in Georgia’s 31 points. He’s currently averaging 8.8 yards per carry, and as Georgia’s offensive line improves, I believe that number will go up. This weekend against South Carolina, the Bulldogs will look to avenge a loss that possibly cost them a playoff spot in 2014. I expect Chubb to shine and continue rising in the Heisman race.

3. Trevone Boykin, TCU QB 2015: 44-of-69, 531 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT This week: vs. SMU Boykin showed off his arm against Stephen F. Austin last week, throwing for 285 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. It was good to see him sit in the pocket and control the game without needing to scramble, thanks to a solid performance from his offensive line. As TCU starts to play tougher teams, I think Boykin will continue to improve and lead his team well.

2. Derrick Henry, Alabama RB 2015: 243 yards on 31 carries, 6 TD This week: vs. Ole Miss Henry only needed 96 yards to score three touchdowns for the Crimson Tide in thier win over Middle Tennessee. He works perfectly in Alabama’s run -centered system and will continue to rack up the touches and yards. The Tide is also looking to avenge a 2014 loss, and Henry will need to be lights- out if they want to get the victory. He is crazy strong when he runs and has great acceleration, so I think he’ll find his way through Ole Miss’ defense and right to the top of many Heisman lists.

4. Ezekiel Elliott, RB / Cardale Jones, QB – Ohio State 2015: 223 yards on 38 carries, 4 TD This week: vs. Northern Illinois Ohio State has several possible Heisman candidates, but Elliott is my top Buckeye contender. He ran for 101 yards and three touchdowns in Ohio State’s easy win against Hawaii last week. Elliott is hard to bring down and great at finding holes, and he shows that every game. Cardale Jones is a still a contender, but as long as he continues to swap snaps with J.T. Barrett, he shouldn’t be put over Elliott.

GAMES TO WATCH By Jacob Martella @ViewFromTheBox

No. 15 Ole Miss at No. 2 Alabama ESPN — 8:15 p.m. — Saturday Alabama will host the game of the week Saturday as the SEC sees its first top-15 matchup this season. Ole Miss crosses the state line hoping to pull off a repeat of last year’s 23-17 upset in Oxford, Miss. Completing that feat, however, will be no easy task with quarterback Bo Wallace gone and facing a defense that has only given up just over 200 yards per game. Alabama, on the other hand, is hoping that senior Jake Coker is the real deal at the quarterback spot. Coker has thrown for 427 yards and two touchdowns so far, but this will be his first SEC test. As we saw with this conference last year, anything can happen, which makes this must-watch television.

No. 18 Auburn at No. 13 LSU CBS — 2:30 p.m. — Saturday LSU goes straight from the frying pan and into the fire in this battle of the Tigers in the SEC. LSU just hung on at the end to walk out of Starkville, Miss., with a 21-19 win over Mississippi State. Sophomore running back Leonard Fournette has been the entire offense, running for 159 yards and all three touchdowns last week. Meanwhile, Auburn is coming off a surprising scare at home against FCS foe Jacksonville State, where the Tigers needed a late touchdown and a just-in-complete pass to prevail in overtime. With a 2:30 p.m. starting time, this will be a great lead-in to the Ole Miss-Alabama game.

Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan file photo

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin has thrown 5 touchdowns in 2015.

5. Leonard Fournette, LSU RB 2015: 159 yards on 28 carries, 3 TD This week: vs. Auburn The only reason I left Fournette off last week’s list is because LSU’s game in Week 1 was cancelled due to bad weather. I’m glad he earned his way back on after his 2015 debut. Fournette put the Tigers on his back in their win over Mississippi State, notching a career-high 159 yards and every LSU score. He’s powerful, fast and awfully tough to bring down. Behind a solid offensive line, Fournette will continue to put up big numbers and work his way up a lot of Heisman lists.

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