The Daily Texan's Double Coverage 2021-09-17 by The Daily Texan

T H E D A I LY TEXAN PRESENTS

Double Coverage VOL. 16 ISSUE 3 | Sept. 17, 2021 jack myer

/ the daily texan file

friday, september 17, 2021

overall STANDINGS T1.

Kaitlyn Harmon,

T-2.

Myah Taylor, Vicente

T-3.

Matthew Boncosky,

Christina Huang Montalvo Hannah Williford, Jenny

TEXAN

Nathan Matthew Han Boncosky

Nebraska @ No. 3 Oklahoma

Oklahoma Oklahoma

No. 8 Cincinnati @ Indiana

Cincinnati Cincinnati

Cincinnati

Indiana

Cincinnati

Angelina Braese Ross Fisher

T-5.

Nathan Han

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Indiana

EDITOR’S NOTE The Longhorns’ returning flight to Austin could not have been a fun one. Texas’ loss was the furthest thing from expected and the closest thing to shocking, but Sarkisian and team look to get the Horns back on track in Week 3 against Rice. Yet, Texas cannot consider Saturday’s home game a shoo-in, and still has to make changes on both sides of the ball — the secondary in particular — to prove to Longhorn Nation that Texas is what it says it is.

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GAMEsTO WATCH By Vincente Montalvo

DOUBLE COVERAGE

@VMont20

purdue at No. 12 notre dame SEPT. 18, 1:30 p.m. CT, NBC

In a showdown between two undefeated programs for the Shillelagh Trophy, the Boilermakers roll into South Bend to take on the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame almost saw its national championship aspirations slip away against Toledo in Week 2, escaping defeat with a touchdown and a minute to go in the fourth quarter. If head coach Brian Kelly and the Irish plan to shake thunder down from above, starting senior quarterback Jack Coan needs to stay healthy and mobile throughout the contest after suffering a dislocated finger in last week’s contest. Purdue has lost seven consecutive matchups to Notre Dame, but is this the year the Boilermakers end the lengthy losing streak and bring the Shillelagh Trophy home?

no. 22 auburn at No. 10 penn state SEPT. 18, 6:30 p.m. CT, ABC Saturday will feature one of the best atmospheres in all of college football as the Nittany Lions and the Auburn Tigers duel it out in Happy Valley. Penn State will simultaneously welcome Auburn’s first year head coach Bryan Harsin to Happy Valley and the Tigers to the blinding Penn State white out. This will be only the third meeting between the two programs, and Harsin’s first major matchup in his new leadership role. Auburn junior quarterback Bo Nix, a once hopeful Heisman Trophy candidate, has a 75% completed passing rate and has tallied five touchdowns through Week 2. For the Tigers to steal a win on the road, Nix will have to up the ante Saturday. If Penn State head coach James Franklin pressures Nix in the pocket, the Nittany Lions will be ringing the victory bell and celebrating a perfect start to the 2021 season.

no. 1 alabama at No. 11 florida SEPT. 18, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS The Tide head into the Swamp’s hostile environment Saturday for their first road game of the season. Under Florida head coach Dan Mullen’s defense, the Gators have an impressive linebacker trio led by senior Jeremiah Moon. Moon will look to rush the passer, attempting to force Alabama sophomore quarterback Bryce Young to become frazzled under center. Saturday’s matchup will mark Young’s third game as Alabama’s starting quarterback after the departure of former Davey O’Brien Award winner and current NFL quarterback Mac Jones. Florida junior quarterback Emory Jones was the anticipated man to get the starting nod throughout the season, but Jones’ four interceptions in his first two games did not impress Mullen. Possibly taking over the Gator quarterback reins, redshirt freshman Anthony Richardson has looked explosive when taking snaps, but a hamstring injury suffered in Week 2 could limit the redshirt freshman in this cross-SEC matchup. Regardless of who starts under center for the Gators, Mullen and team need to limit offensive mistakes because the Alabama defense will be waiting for every opportunity to shut down any sign of offensive life. Alabama has not lost to Florida since 2008, and the Gators look to end the Tide’s streak in Saturday’s afternoon showdown.

tulane at No. 17 ole miss SEPT. 18, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN2

no. 15 virginia tech at west virginia SEPT. 18, 11 a.m. CT, Fox Sports 1 For the first time since 2017, the Black Diamond Trophy is up for grabs between Virginia Tech and West Virginia. The Mountaineers lead the all-time series — a series that has stretched since 1912 — but the Hokies have experienced the most recent success when squaring off against West Virginia. Between the two programs, the Hokies have secured the last 10 out of 13 meetings and look to improve that record with another win Saturday. The Hokies have been rolling this season under sixth year head coach Justin Fuente as they head into Week 3. Meanwhile, the Mountaineer faithful will look to capture the victory and sing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in an upset victory as they send the Hokies back to Blacksburg.

The last time Tulane won in Oxford dates all the way back to 1988. If the Green Wave wish to upset the Rebels on the road, Tulane head coach Willie Fritz will have to rely heavily upon freshman quarterback Michael Pratt. With a 60% completed passing rate, Pratt is enjoying his freshman campaign, throwing three touchdowns in Week 1 against a powerful Oklahoma Sooners defense. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who missed the Rebels’ home season opener due to a positive COVID-19 test result and still came out with a win, must have his program present in Week 3 and not focused on Week 4’s matchup against his former employer, Alabama. Pratt, however, is certainly capable of getting the tough job done. He could give the Green Wave an invigorating upset that has not been accomplished in ages.

staying the course DOUBLE COVERAGE

The Longhorns look to bounce back against rice after a tough loss to Arkansas.

By Matthew Boncosky @mboncosky

oro Ojomo was almost at a loss for words Monday when reporters asked him to reflect on what happened two days prior in Fayetteville. “It’s pitiful,” the junior defensive lineman said. “I can’t put into words the pain from losing, but you have to use it and transfer it into a positive.” The 40-21 drubbing that Ojomo and the Longorns took at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks in front of a sold-out Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and a national television audience was shocking in nature, especially to fans in Austin. Arkansas thoroughly manhandled Texas in almost every facet of the game from the line of scrimmage outward. With the Longhorns riding a wave of high emotions heading into the contest, the humbling defeat put a sizable dent in the “All Gas, No Brakes” campaign of firstyear head coach Steve Sarkisian. “I think our team enjoyed winning Week 1 against Louisiana, but they didn’t know the feeling that they would have if they lost, and we got slapped in the face with the feeling of loss,” Sarkisian said. As Week 3 of the regular season approaches and as Big 12 conference play looms on the horizon, the Longhorns must now understand how to respond to the humiliating defeat. But, the man in charge, Sarkisian, has dealt with losses before. The 47-year-old coach has endured a long journey over the course of his career. Sarkisian rose through the ranks to land the head coaching jobs at Washington and USC before having a public fall from grace. Sarkisian ultimately lost the USC job due to personal struggles with substance issues, but he wouldn’t let that hold him back. The road back to finding himself at the top included two stints

jack myer

under Alabama head coach Nick Saban and a brief fling as offensive coordinator with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons sandwiched in between. Sarkisian has referenced the many lessons he’s learned since his time at Alabama, particularly under Saban, from both an X’s and O’s standpoint and from his journey of developing into an effective leader. When game plans fail to go according to plan, Sarkisian is not the ultra-aggressive, fire-andbrimstone style coach that seeks to use fear to push through adversity; he’s different. “Sometimes when you get loud and yell and berate people, they’ve missed the message because all

they hear is loud and berating,” Sarkisian said. “So, I try to be very clear and concise with my messaging with them so that they know what we’re going to work on next week.” Part of that message has been an expression of gratitude for the current stepback occurring now rather than later. Losing in the fashion that Texas did last Saturday exposes problems, all of which stand out now and can be focused and improved upon. Sarkisian has brought in an experienced staff that he hopes to lean on to help right the ship. “I rely on our coaching staff to be the leaders in this group,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve got to get our

mindset to we hate to lose more than we want to win, and that’s something that we’ve got to shift in our locker room and that process is underway.” A culture shift doesn’t occur overnight, especially for a program that has dealt with accusations of being “soft” in the past, but the first tough loss of a new era can bring things into perspective. According to Sarkisian, a renewed focus has been seen in practice as the team prepares to take on Rice on Saturday. Junior quarterback Casey Thompson, whom Sarkisian named starting quarterback for Week 3, takes over the offense’s reins with plenty on his plate. Not only has

/ the daily texan file

Thompson been tasked with getting the Longhorns back in the win column, but the junior also desires the starting quarterback position long-term, something he’s patiently waited for his entire career at Texas. Despite all the noise, every Longhorn from Sarkisian to Ojomo to Thompson and others, have stressed the importance of remaining composed and at ease in the face of adversity. “There’s going to be ups and downs, and you kind of just have to be calm and poised,” Thompson said. “So, I think that this week, we don’t need to try to reinvent the wheel. We don’t need to panic.”

friday, september 17, 2021

NOTES ON THE

COACH

By Payne Williams

@paynewilliams5

Mike Bloomgren: Rice’s offensively minded point man looks to disrupt Texas

ice hopes to secure its first win of the season under head coach Mike Bloomgren’s fourth season leading the Owls. Bloomgren looks to replicate the glimmers of success that Rice displayed against a struggling Texas team in last year’s shortened pandemic season. While Texas is no longer a struggling team under Herman, Bloomgren and the Owls have the upperhand in defeating a Texas team coming off a tough week two loss. During Bloomgren’s first three seasons at Rice, the former Stanford offensive line and offensive coordinator hasn’t seen success many Owl faithful have hoped for. Rice owns a mere five combined wins from the past two seasons –– two of which came from a shortened five-game season in 2020. As an offensive-minded coach, Bloomgren began his coaching campaign as an undergraduate assistant at Florida State, followed by roles as a graduate assistant at Alabama, co-offensive coordinator at Catawba College and offensive coordinator at Delta State University. Bloomgren found his way into the big leagues serving as an offensive quality control coach with the New York Jets. He became an assistant offensive coordinator in 2010. In 2011, Bloomgren made his way back to the NCAA as Stanford’s running game coordinator and offensive line coach, officially accepting the position of offensive coordinator in 2013. Accolades and achievements for Bloomgren are anything but few and far between. Prior to his move to Rice in 2017, Bloomgren coached 12 future NFL Draft picks and 11 All-American athletes. Under Bloomgren’s direction in 2012, the former Cardinal coach paved the way for four of Stanford’s five starting offensive lineman to earn All-Pac-12 honors. Bloomgren endured expansive success alongside players like NFL

notables Andrew Luck and Christian McCaffrey, where the now-head coach was pivotal in Stanford’s powerful 2015 season and Luck’s 2011 campaign. Under Bloomgren’s offensive lead, Stanford boasted multiple record-breaking players on the offensive side of the ball as the Cardinal steamrolled their way through the Pac-12 and secured a championship win against USC. In the postseason, Stanford amplified its prior victory by defeating Iowa in the Rose Bowl, capping the Cardinal season at an impressive 12–2. In 2015, McCaffrey — an eventual Heisman Trophy finalist and first round NFL Draft pick –– set the single-season all-purpose yards record previously held by NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders. The Cardinal’s record-setting 2015 season would have been nonexistent without Bloomgren’s offensive finesse and

devotion to the men up front. The Stanford offensive line thrived with players like Outland Trophy winner Joshua Garnett. Garnett also won the Morris Trophy and was recognized as both the nation’s top interior lineman and the Pac-12’s best offensive lineman in 2015. Blooomgren’s past success combined with Rice’s current depth charts could lead to a Longhorn defeat come Saturday. The Owls have all but three starters returning from the 2020-2021 season, giving Bloomgren’s program a mature advantage. The experienced roster will no doubt make its way to Austin to focus on a high-risk game for both programs. The Longhorns’ struggles on the defensive side of the ball against Arkansas in week two will no doubt be a target for Bloomgren. In week one, Bloomgren and team faced the Razorbacks in

Fayetteville, giving the head coach an advantage to prepare through comparison. While Rice left Arkansas with a loss, the Razorbacks’ run attack proved to be too much even for Texas’s front seven. By the end of the night, Arkansas had posted over 300 yards rushing on its way to a 40-21 win over the Longhorns. With Texas’ potential defensive weakness in mind and Bloomgren’s extensive experience with NCAA and NFL offenses — the O-line, specifically — Bloomgren’s key to keeping Texas on its toes is to literally hit the ground running. An Owls loss on Saturday could put offensively-minded Bloomgren on thin ice as Rice would fall to 0–3 on the season. Bloomgren’s hopes are high to enhance his program’s record to 1–2, giving Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns a loss.

NOTES FROM THE OPPONENT By Nathan Han

The Daily Texan spoke with Pavithr Goli, football beat writer at The Rice Thresher, Rice’s school newspaper, ahead of Saturday’s Texas-Rice matchup in Austin.

The Daily Texan: Has Hurricane Nicholas’ impact been felt on the Rice football team? Pavithr Goli: I don’t think the hurricane really affected anything, except for no practice on Tuesday because the rain really picked up on Monday night. But, I feel like missing practice was pretty big for Rice. They do need a lot of practice. DT: While Texas has its own ongoing quarterback question, what’s the situation at the quarterback position like at Rice?

PG: So, we started off with Wiley Green. He’s a redshirt sophomore who had the starting role last year, but then he lost it to a graduate transfer. The grad transfer left, so Green was given the starting job this year. He was competing with Luke McCaffrey, (NFL star) Christian McCaffrey’s younger brother who transferred from Nebraska. In the first game against Arkansas, he looked good until the second half. Then, Green threw three interceptions and looked like he was unable to run the offense. So, Rice head coach (Mike Bloomgren) was trying to give Luke McCaffrey reps. Every third drive against Arkansas, Luke would take charge of the offense. Then, Bloomgren named McCaffrey the starter against Houston (in Week 2). And to be honest, he did not play well. He threw two

Hey,

Austin!

picks in the first half and then a pick-six to end the game.

DT: Has Bloomgren named a starter for Saturday, and who do you think will get the nod to start against Texas? PG: I personally don’t even know who’s going to start against UT, but I think Coach Bloomgren really likes McCaffrey because he can run and he can pass. I guess it’s taking the best of two bad options. McCaffrey is a dual-threat quarterback. DT: What has Bloomgren said about facing an opponent with the recognition and stature of Texas? PG: First of all, Bloomgren was shocked that Rice lost to Houston 44-7. He started the press

DOUBLE COVERAGE

@NathanHan13

conference just in shock, but he didn’t really dwell on it. One main thing he did say was something like, ‘Yeah, we have a Power Five, future SEC opponent we’re going to face next week, but we have bigger problems … in our squad itself.’ So, I don’t think he’s really focusing as much on Texas, on the opponent, (as much as he’s) focusing on his team and fixing those mistakes. DT: What are some Owl names to watch out for on Rice’s squad? PG: On offense, a name to watch is Khalan Griffin. He put up (between) 80 and 90 yards rushing against Houston, and he’s our main source of offense on Saturdays. Also, look out for Luke McCaffrey when he runs the ball. He’s pretty smooth with it in his hands.

DT: What’s going to be the biggest factor for Rice in Saturday’s game against Texas? PG: I think it all comes down to the offense. Our defense is pretty solid — they have a lot of seniors, a lot of experience and it’s a solid Conference USA defense. But they’re always on the field. If the offense was able to convert third downs, the defense

wouldn’t be tired all the time. The defense wouldn’t be on the field all the time. In the Houston game, you could see that the defense just ran out of gas in the end. DT: What’s your prediction for Saturday’s game? PG: I predicted Texas would win 20-6.

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LONGHORNS IN THE NFL

friday, september 17, 2021

By Christina Huang| @stina_huang

While some Longhorns are no longer playing within the walls of DKR, they still represent Texas football in the big leagues. Four former Longhorns impressed on both sides of the ball in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season.

eddie gaspar

/ the daily texan file

BRANDON JONES Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins safety Brandon Jones recorded two solo tackles during Miami’s close 17-16 victory over the New England Patriots. Jones has acted as a solid defender for Miami since the Dolphins drafted him in 2020. During the 2020 season, Jones recorded 59 tackles and one quarterback hit. The Dolphins travel into Week 2 facing Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills for a game where Jones could give Allen some trouble down the field. Jones proudly wore the burnt orange from 2016 to 2019 and was named a fourth-team preseason All-Big 12 during his senior season. Miami drafted him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

SAMUEL COSMI

Washington Football Team Offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi struggled during the Washington Football Team’s season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers as the Chargers pulled off a close 20-16 win. Most of Cosmi’s challenges came from facing off against Joey Bosa, former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Bosa regularly outplayed Cosmi during the game, and Cosmi was unable to put up any numbers. Cosmi will look to have a better performance Thursday night during primetime as he will not be going head-to-head against a three-time Pro Bowler. Cosmi led the Texas offensive line from 2017 to 2020, before Washington drafted him 51st overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

amy zhang

/ the daily texan file

QUANDRE DIGGS Seattle Seahawks Quandre Diggs’ offseason did not shy away from drama, as he was entangled in a contract-related dispute with the Seattle Seahawks. Diggs is currently in the final year of his contract with Seattle and briefly held out negotiations in an attempt to obtain more money. ESPN reported that Diggs’ $5.05 million salary was converted into a signing bonus, allowing Diggs to receive a hefty pay day. Diggs has been a monumental part of Seattle’s defense since 2019 when he was traded from the Detroit Lions. Diggs recorded five interceptions and 64 combined tackles during the 2020 season, finding his way to being named a first time Pro Bowler. The Angleton, Texas, product played during the Seahawks’ season opener against the Indianapolis Colts and recorded three solo tackles and two assisted tackles in Seattle’s 28-16 victory. The Seahawks’ next battle is a Sunday matchup against the Tennessee Titans, where Diggs will look to make a statement. Diggs represented Texas from 2011 to 2014 during the Mack Brown and Charlie Strong eras, respectively.

katie bauer

/ the daily texan file

CHARLES OMENIHU Houston Texans Houston Texans defensive end Charles Omenihu is set to have a breakout year during his third season in the NFL due to his impressive performances during the preseason. The Texans defeated the Dallas Cowboys 20-14 during their second preseason game, with Omenihu playing a major part in Houston’s victory. Omenihu concluded the game against the Cowboys with three solo tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hits and one fumble recovery. The Texans’ season opening win against first round draft pick Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars gave Houston a right start to the season with a final score of 37-21. Omenihu and the Texans face Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, where the former Longhorn matches up against an Oklahoma Sooner. Omenihu played for Texas from 2015 to 2018, and was named 2018’s Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year. The Texans drafted him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and he has played in Houston since. The Texans face Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, where the former Longhorn matches up against an Oklahoma Sooner. Omenihu played for Texas from 2015 to 2018, and was named 2018’s Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year. The Texans drafted him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and he has played in Houston since.

DOUBLE COVERAGE

KEYS TO THE GAME By Ross Fisher | @rossfisher23 If the Longhorns merely scratch the surface of their potential on Saturday night, Texas beats out Rice. One-win Texas — which fell out of the AP Top 25 following a crushing loss to Arkansas — will play host to 0–2 Rice at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Owls are in search of their first win in Austin since 1965, and their first win over the Longhorns since 1994. Rice is winless heading into its Week 3 matchup with Texas, following losses to both Arkansas and Houston. The Owls were outscored 82-24 over the two-game span. Part of the reason for Rice’s poor start is due to a quarterback dilemma — similar to that of Texas — with neither redshirt sophomore Wiley Green nor redshirt freshman Luke McCaffrey taking the starting job by the scruff of the neck. Green, who is more experienced under center, received the approval to start against Arkansas, but was benched during Week 2 after completing less than 50% of his passes and throwing three interceptions. McCaffrey — Green’s replacement against Houston and the brother of NFL star running back Christian McCaffrey — also failed to complete 50% of his passes and, just like Green, threw three interceptions. Yet, Rice head coach Mike Bloomgren named McCaffrey the starter on Tuesday. Texas’ defense should be licking its chops going up against the freshman who has only completed 14 of his 29 passes on the season. It’s not just the defense that is poised to have a tremendous game for the Longhorns. Sophomore running back Bijan Robinson is also likely to have himself a game against an Owls defense that has given up seven rushing touchdowns in Rice’s past two games. Robinson hasn’t reached his monstrous potential yet this season, due to poor performances by the Texas offensive line against Louisiana and Arkansas. Yet, Robinson has two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown to his name this season. Against a team like Rice, No. 5 will run rampant. Playing against Rice, Texas’ other offensive weapons — freshman wide receiver Xavier Worthy, sophomore wide receiver Jordan Whittington and junior wide receiver Joshua Moore — could kick-start their

jack myer

seasons. Whittington had a phenomenal Week 1, but endured a few disappointing drops in Week 2, not looking himself. Look for the slot receiver to bounce back in a big way Saturday. Projected to be the go-to receiver for the Longhorns this year, Moore has been anonymous. The wideout has only made three catches for 17 yards as he heads into Saturday’s matchup. Look for Moore to break out against the Owls as junior quarterback Casey Thompson finds him in the air. Perhaps, one reason for Moore’s suboptimal start to the season and Whittington’s poor game in Arkansas, is the Texas quarterback situation. Head coach Steve Sarkisian announced Monday morning that Thompson would start against Rice. Thompson under center could spell good news for the Texas receiver core. No matter who stands as the answer for Texas at the quarterback position, Thompson should be expected to prove his dominance over redshirt freshman quarterback Hudson Card in the pocket.

/ the daily texan file

During the last meeting between the two teams, former quarterback Sam Ehlinger produced over 200 yards and found the endzone three different times to give Texas a hefty advantage on the board. When Texas was in a comfortable position to secure the victory, Ehlinger went out and Thompson went in. Expect Thompson to show off his arm, poise and athleticism as he guides the Texas offense down the field. If Saturday’s game is any reflection of the 2019 matchup, Thompson will likely come out of the game when the Longhorns are in a comfortable position facing an Owls defense that has given up nearly 200 yards a game in the air. Card’s opportunity to take some snaps for himself is an opportunity that will not be wasted. With Texas’ hopeful newfound motivation after last week’s grueling loss in Fayetteville, the Longhorns should have an advantage over the Owls to fight even more. When Texas takes the field on Saturday night, Sarkisian, Thompson and the Longhorns should be unstoppable in Week 3.

HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY

friday, September 17, 2021

By Hannah Williford | @howdy_itshannah

Sept. 3, 2011

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Sept. 14, 2019

UT-Austin vs. Rice University, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, 34-9

Sept. 4, 2010

UT-Austin at Rice University, Rice Stadium, 48-13

UT-Austin at Rice University, Reliant Stadium, 34-17

Sept. 12, 2015

Sept. 20, 2008

UT-Austin vs Rice University, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, 42-28

UT-Austin vs. Rice University, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, 52-10

jordan gomez

Few victories are guaranteed for Texas football these days. But Longhorns fans are given a brief respite from uncertainty when facing Rice, a team Texas hasn’t lost a game to since 1994. The outcome of any Rice-Texas game – the first of which the teams played in 1914 – is almost as set in history as the game itself. In the words of former U.S. president John F. Kennedy, who compared Rice winning against Texas to America landing on the moon, Rice plays “not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” But, like the moon landing, victory for Rice is never impossible: While Texas has celebrated 73 wins over the Owls, the Longhorns have also

mourned 21 losses. During the last matchup between the two programs in 2019, Texas won in Texas-sized fashion, 48-13. Rice rolls into Week 3 0–2, while the Longhorns enter this classic matchup 1–1. Both the Owls and Texas have faced Arkansas’ wrath in two consecutive weeks. Rice’s season opener loss to the Razorbacks and the Longhorns’ first road game loss of the season both had one thing in common: crippling defeats, with Texas losing 21-40 and Rice 17-38.

GAME TO REMEMBER: In October 1994, No. 12 Texas made the three hour trek

from Austin to Houston for its annual game against the unranked Owls. Up until that Saturday in 1994, the Longhorns had not lost the matchup in 29 years. But that fall day was destined for Rice history. The first quarter established a game of catch up for Texas. After Rice’s first 74-yard drive, backup kicker Matt Huelsman drew first blood with a 24-yard field goal, putting the Owls up 3-0. Rice’s first drive lasted about nine minutes. As the Texas offense prepared to take the field and establish some momentum, Longhorn special teams fumbled the punt return. The Owls recovered the ball and, just 11 seconds after their first score, found the

endzone for a second time. On the first play of the drive, quarterback Josh LaRocca launched a bullet to find senior running back Byron Coston in the endzone. Rice led 9-0. When the burnt orange offense finally took the field, the Longhorns only put three points on the board heading into the second quarter, courtesy of a 44-yard field goal by freshman kicker Phil Dawson. Texas caught traction in the second quarter with a clean 40-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Shea Morenz to senior wide receiver Eric Jackson for a touchdown. For the first time throughout that Saturday’s matchup, Texas led 10-9. The victory was short-lived —

/ the daily texan file

Rice’s Huelsman kicked another field goal as time expired for the first half. In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Owls had offensive possession and drove 43 yards down the field to find six points in the endzone, giving Rice a 1910 advantage. Texas had just over eight minutes to respond until the game clock hit triple zeroes. The Longhorns charged the field for 68 yards as Morenz found a man in the endzone. But even with Morenz and team’s grit and effort, the points were too little, too late. Rice ran out the clock and Texas lost its first game to Rice since 1965. The Longhorns’ 1994 loss remains their most recent loss to Rice.

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