Double Coverage 10-10-12

the daily texan presents Vol. 7, issue 7 TEXAS VS. OU 2012 EDITION

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texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

thelineup 4 6 13 No. 17 Adrian Phillips | Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff Cover photo by Lawrence Peart | Daily Texan file photo

previews&Notebooks 11 21 30

Players to watch keys to the game big 12 notebook

the daily texan presents

texas vs. ou | 2012 Edition

Vol. 7, issue 7

Double Coverage Editor............Nick Cremona Design Editor............................Natasha Smith Photo Editor.............................Elisabeth Dillon Copy Editor........................................Trey Scott Writers ..................................Garrett Callahan ...............................................Christian Corona ..................................................Lauren Giudice .....................................................Ryan Haddox ...................................................Chris Hummer ....................................................Wes Maulsby ...............................................Peter Sblendorio ................................................Sara Beth Purdy .......................................................Hank South ....................................................Matt Warden

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JOnes or bust

Although he got off to a bit of slow start this year, Landry Jones still believes the Sooners have a legitimate shot at winning a Big 12 Championship.

Super-Sized Substitute

Luke Poehlmann has become an important member of the Texas offense, even if he’s not listed as a starter.

Secondary Concerns

It’s no secret the Longhorns’ defensive backfield has struggled at times this season. Now is the time for Texas to clamp down and stifle opposing offenses.

RISING from ash

David Ash has faced Oklahoma once before, and the outcome wasn’t too pretty. With a year under his belt, he’s ready to show that he’s capable of winning big games.

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a storied tradition

28

REd River Redemption

From indulging in fried fare at the State Fair of Texas, to spending time with friends old and new, the Red River Rivalry is a unique experience every year.

After a drubbing at the hands of the Sooners last year, the Longhorns are hoping to turn things around in a big way this time around.

It’s here. It’s what you’ve all been waiting for, ain’t it? The 107th edition of the Red River Rivalry is upon us, and it’s shaping up to be another stellar matchup. Whether you’re watching from home or the historic Cotton Bowl, this game promises not to disappoint. Double Coverage returns in one week’s time to preview Baylor.

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

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DIGGING DEEP FOR PAYBACK

By Lauren Giudice Quandre Diggs loves to talk trash.

But, with talking trash comes the responsibility to live up to it.

Diggs believes he is ready to do just that against Oklahoma on Saturday.

During the Red River Rivalry last season, the Sooners scored the first four times they had the ball. Landry Jones had three touchdown passes and Dominique Whaley added a 64yard touchdown scamper.

Those numbers don’t sit well with Diggs. He’s grown up a lot and, as a sophomore, feels he is more prepared for this game than he was as a freshman last season.

“Last year when I went out and the crowd was split fifty-fifty it was something that I had never seen before,” Diggs said. “You go past the fifty-yard line and what you get before you pass the fifty yard line is all boos. As soon as you cross that fifty it’s all yelling ‘Texas fight.”

Last year Diggs wasn’t as mentally prepared as he should have been.

Though the Red River Rivalry is a unique game and environment, the Texas defense has been struggling through four games this year. The Longhorns have been attributing a

lot of their struggles to a lack in mental preparedness, not physical issues.

The missed tackles, huge rushing yards given up and big plays accumulated by opposing offenses have plagued the defense so far this season. Texas is currently ninth in rushing defense and seventh in total defense in the Big 12.

That kind of defense simply won’t work against the Sooners.

“Guys just have to go out and just have to be mentally prepared and mentally focused,” Diggs said. “It’s hard just to be physically and mentally in shape for that. It’s something I learned as a freshman last year.”

Diggs called his brother, San Diego Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer, before the game last year so he would know what to expect. But Diggs said nothing could have prepared him for the environment in the Cotton Bowl.

Jammer is quiet compared to Diggs, but the two are both extremely competitive.

“I’m a guy that gets riled up and likes to go out and talk,” Diggs said.

“Me and him have two different personalities but at the same time we just try to go out and compete as hard as we can.”

This year, not being mentally

prepared for the crimson and orange split won’t be a factor for Diggs.

He thrives in that kind of chaotic environment and will push the defense to do so as well.

Even though he was only freshman last year, he became a leader for the team. Being a defensive back, Diggs has learned that sometimes players will get the best of you, just like Oklahoma did last year. But, bouncing back from those experiences is important.

“He is such a baller and very competitive,” co-offensive coordinator Major Applewhite said. “He is one of those guys that is like, ‘You got your shot in, but I am going to win the battle’ or ‘I am going to win the war even if you won that battle.”

The Sooners got their shot in last year in their 55-17 rout of Texas, but Diggs and the defense will look to improve upon how they’ve been performing so far this season and stop the Oklahoma offense Saturday.

“We’re a year older, a year smarter and a year wiser so whatever the game plan is we’re just going to go along with it and go out there and make plays that we didn’t make last year,” Diggs said. “I promise you I’ll be a lot more comfortable this year than I was last year.”

Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff

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texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

Jones returns to lead Sooners

Fifth-year senior quarterback relishes opportunity to assist Oklahoma in returning to form

By Peter Sblendorio

What a difference a year makes.

At this point last season, Oklahoma was ranked third in the AP Top 25 thanks to a 5-0 record and many were picking the Sooners to win the Big 12 and potentially even the national championship.

Quarterback Landry Jones was coming off of a 367yard, three-touchdown performance in a 55-17 win over No. 11 Texas, his fourth game of least 350 yards passing in five tries, and he had entered the early discussion for Heisman contenders.

Much has changed since then.

The Sooners would go on to lose three of their final seven regular season games in 2011, finishing ranked 16th after beginning the year as the preseason No. 1.

Jones, too, struggled with inconsistency down the stretch, especially after wide receiver Ryan Broyles, his favorite target, tore his ACL on Nov. 5 against Texas A&M. Jones would finish his 2011 campaign with 4,463 passing yards along with 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, strong statistics but hardly Heisman-worthy.

Oklahoma has looked vulnerable to start the 2012 season, as it led UTEP by just three points entering the fourth quarter and fell 24-19 to Kansas State in its third game of the season. Once again, whether it is fair or not, much of the criticism has fallen on Jones, as the Sooner’s offense has sputtered in two of its first four games on its way to a 3-1 start.

“It drives me nuts that we’re kind of underachieving right now,” Jones said. “I feel like, specifically for myself, I’ve definitely been underachieving this whole year.”

This year Jones’ statistics are once again solid, yet unspectacular. He has completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 1,032 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions in four games, and his passer rating sits at 135.2.

Jones has been unable to match the output from his breakout sophomore season, when he threw for 4,718 yards and 38 touchdowns against only 12 picks, but he has been undoubtedly productive in his four years with the Sooners. Following Oklahoma’s loss to Kansas State Sept. 15, head coach Bob Stoops admitted that Jones’ performance — 28-for-43, one touchdown and one interception — was not among his best, but he believes that blaming just him for the team’s struggles is unwarranted.

“Not very well overall,” Stoops said of Jones’ performance against the Wildcats. “But again, I don’t think it’s fair to say

“Landry Jones.” I think it’s fair to say the guys around him, also were inconsistent. But again, some of the plays that stick out to everybody, that weren’t very good, when you’re turning the football over it’s going to kill you.”

Teammates have seconded these sentiments, showing full faith that the fifth-year senior quarterback will be able to once again lead the Sooners to prominence.

“Landry is a great player,” freshman wide receiver Sterling Shepard said. “Sometimes nights aren’t the way you expect them to be, but he is going to come back and he is going to come back strong.”

Jones will face a major opportunity to silence his critics Saturday against the Longhorns.

He is 2-0 as a starter against Texas in his career, and he played well filling in during a 16-13 loss to the Longhorns in 2009 after starter Sam Bradford was forced to leave the game with an injured shoulder. Overall, Jones has thrown for six touchdowns and two interceptions in three games

No. 12 Landry Jones Lawrence Peart Daily Texan file photo

against his rivals to the south.

Jones will not be the only Oklahoma quarterback that the Longhorns have to account for, either, as sophomore Blake Bell has become a deadly short yardage threat for the Sooners. In his career Bell has rushed for 14 touchdowns, including 13 as a freshman in 2011, and he has earned 174 yards on 54 career carries.

That said, the Sooners’ fate in this ranked matchup will likely rest on the arm of their senior starting quarterback. Jones knows that despite his team’s inconsistency, Oklahoma still has the opportunity to contend for a conference and perhaps even national title, but another loss would considerably hurt their chances.

“Typically every year there’s a one-loss team in the championship game, both Big 12 and the national championship,” Jones said. “So it’s still out in front of us. Definitely going to be tough if we lose another one, that’s for sure. But we’re going to regroup.”

The Longhorns would love to be the ones to compromise the Oklahoma’s title hopes. Whether they do that or not could very well come down to the right arm of Jones.

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

for the record

5

Went to school here (briefly)

Born here

Bar District

197 miles

Jon Hamm

Nelly

Sixth Street

192 miles

Lucien Ballard

Hoda Kotb

Campus Corner

Darrell K Royal Home stadium Also called... connection to Cotton Bowl

by Trey Scott

Coach

40 Acres

Three national championships

Norman Territorial University

Player

18 career interceptions

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texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff Senior Luke Poehlmann has been the Longhorns’ de-facto substitute on the offensive line throughout his time at Texas. This season he’s been a key part of UT’s running game.

Poehlmann pulls weight on, off field Offensive lineman utilized in multiple roles, keeps teammates energized at every turn

By Chris Hummer Luke Poehlmann isn’t in the Longhorns’ starting lineup, nor will his contributions show up in a box score, but his flexibility and willingness to adapt makes him an invaluable member of the Texas roster.

Poehlmann, a fifth-year senior, has lined up at nearly every position on the offen-

sive line since he arrived on campus in 2008. He has also caught touchdown passes at tight end and excelled on special teams.

He’s Texas’ super-sub and has been used at a frequent rate this season as a sixth lineman and wing blocker in Texas’ power set, a formation that’s been extraordinarily effective in short yardage situations — the set was used for all four of Joe Bergeron’s

touchdowns against West Virginia last Saturday.

“Luke is playing so well for us,” head coach Mack Brown said. “He can play either guard, either tackle. He comes in on our power sets, just doing a phenomenal job, and is also becoming a tremendous leader.”

His leadership has been incredibly useful on a young team – he’s the only senior who sees playing time in the

rotation on the line. He’s an upbeat guy, with an incredible work ethic that rubs off on his teammates.

Despite his status as a sub, his fellow linemen have an incredible amount of respect for him. Poehlmann has done everything asked of him in his four years on campus and hasn’t complained a bit. He’s always engaged in every practice and group meeting. He keeps the team’s energy up, and if there’s ever a lull he gets on the guys.

“Luke is ready to get us going before the game,” offensive guard Trey Hopkins

said. “It’s not even just when he’s on the field. Just having Luke’s presence around, he does a great job of just getting our engines going.”

But it’s Poehlmann’s senior year and he wants to play, and he’s making the most of his opportunities come game day. Poehlmann may not be starting, but the coaching staff is finding spots for him on the field because of how effective he’s been.

The coaching staff was so impressed by his work ethic and efforts in the power package that they gave him the opportunity to play right tackle,

in place of Donald Hawkins, for the second half of the Oklahoma State game. It was a crucial situation, but Poehlmann handled it flawlessly, protecting David Ash for a number of critical late game drives.

His performance earned him the Longhorns’ award for offensive lineman of the week, but more importantly, trust from the coaching staff.

“He just provides a lot of things for us offensively,” cooffensive coordinator Bryan Harsin said. “There is no hesitation from any of us to put

SENIOR continues on page 11

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

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Above: Texas head coach Mack Brown hoists the Rose Bowl trophy after a 38-37 win over Michigan in 2005.

Left: Vince Young evades a Michigan defender on his way to a Rose Bowl-record 192 rushing yards in 2005.

Daily Texan file photos

Redux of 2004 could be in store

By Wes Maulsby Last Saturday, Texas saw a game that it very well could have won slip away. In the process, Texas missed its opportunity to take a step and rejoin the nation’s elite teams, a group West Virginia has been a part of since Pat White won his first BCS game against Georgia in 2005.

Almost eight years ago to the day, Texas had just lost its fifth straight game to Oklahoma and was shut out for the first time in decades.

Texas was ranked in the top five before that game, but still wasn’t really considered a great team. Mack Brown couldn’t seem win the big game. Texas was too soft. It wasn’t tough, like Bob Stoop’s Oklahoma teams which beat Texas five seasons in a row, from 2000-2004.

That reputation had stuck around the program for years and the Longhorns could not seem to shake it. Mack Brown had pleaded for his team to be given a chance. He wasn’t above politicking if it meant that his team would get a shot at a BCS game, instead of getting stuck in the Holiday Bowl again. Brown thought Texas deserved a chance to change its reputation.

It got it.

When the final BCS rankings were released in 2004, Texas had jumped California by a fraction of a point to be guaranteed a BCS game. In doing so, Texas crashed an exclusive party. Not just the Rose Bowl, that lost its Pac 10/Big Ten matchup when the Longhorns passed the Golden Bears, but the BCS was where only the elite could tread. It was sacred ground. Only the teams that

were most worthy and deserving could be in a BCS game and Texas had essentially talked its way in.

On New Year’s Day 2005, Brown and his Longhorns got a chance to prove that they were indeed among the country’s elite. And they didn’t disappoint. The legend of Vince Young blossomed on that day, and Dusty Mangum’s wobbly, partially blocked field goal to beat Michigan changed the entire fate of the Texas program.

It was ranked preseason No. 2 at the beginning of the next season on the way to winning the program’s first National Championship in 35 years. Texas wasn’t soft anymore. It was strong, finally considered elite. Brown was an superb coach and not just “Coach February.”

Now, eight years later, Texas is in need of another

reputation change.

Forgotten are the nine consecutive ten win seasons.

Memories don’t go back that far. It’s a “what have you done for me lately” world, and lately, Texas hasn’t done much. Thirteen wins and 12 losses over the 2010 and 2011 seaons and a 2-7 home conference record over those two seasons is an effective way of changing a reputation that had been forged and held for five seasons.

Now the Longhorns are just another team that can’t stand with the big boys. Teams like West Virginia can walk into incredibly hostile environments, take the best shot that the opposing team has, and always have a little more.

Is West Virginia an elite team? On offense, yes. It remains to be seen if the

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texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

Lawrence Peart | Daily Texan file photo Oklahoma fans have enjoyed the successes of quarterback Landry Jones for the past few years. This weekend Jones has a chance to become just the third quarterback in Sooner history to defeat Texas in three consecutive seasons.

Historical implications surround this year’s game

By Sara Beth Purdy It’s that time of year again.

Time for fried butter, fried beer, fried cookie dough and well, fried everything, but most importantly, it’s time for the Red River Rivalry. After last year, Texas fans are itching to get back to the Cotton Bowl and erase the 55-17 embarrassment of last season.

Both No. 15 Texas and No. 13 Oklahoma take the field on Saturday with one loss on their record. Last weekend, Oklahoma dominated Texas Tech, 41-20, on the road to avenge a rare home loss to Kansas State two weeks prior.

The Sooners are 3-1 on the season and is tied for second

in the Big 12 with a 1-1 record.

“It’s a lot of fun for us. It’s one of the reasons you come to Oklahoma, to play against Texas, to play at a neutral site, to play in a huge game,” OU wide receiver Kenny Stills said. “It’s a big week for us and we’re excited and we’re going to have fun this weekend.”

This will be the 107th meeting of the rivalry and Oklahoma is looking for starting quarterback Landry Jones to make history this weekend when the two teams take the field. If the Sooners win, Jones will become only the third quarterback from Oklahoma to defeat Texas three times in a row. Former Sooner quarterbacks Steve Davis and Jimmy Harris are the only men to

have done it before.

“It would be a big honor just to be in that category and in that talk,” Jones said of making history. “I’ve played at this place a long time now and I just have had a really successful career ... [Davis] just really wanted to encourage me to keep going and keep leading those guys and keep fighting regardless of what happens.”

Not only that, but with a Sooner victory, Jones will take the lead in Oklahoma record books with 33 wins, passing former quarterback Steve Davis as the all-time winningest quarterback in Sooner history.

To make matters worse, only one Texas quarterback has won more than two straight

Red River Rivalry games. Peter Gardere defeated Oklahoma four times in the early 1990s.

So, more is at stake than simply a decent bowl game.

The rivalry dates back to 1900 with Texas leading 5942-5. With Texas A&M gone to the SEC, Oklahoma remains as Texas’ oldest rivalry still being played.

“There’s a lot of emotion that goes into the game,” Jones said of the rivalry. “I think, because there is so much tradition playing in a neutral location.”

Despite his terrible showing against Kansas State, Jones has been an efficient leader for the Oklahoma offense. He has a 63.3 completion percentage with 1032

yards in the air and seven touchdowns. Jones has been one dimensional so far this season, however. On the ground he has a net -50 yards on the season, a statistic that is sure to make the Texas defense rest a little easier after last Saturday.

“Landry just keeps getting better and better and better each game, and his stats are unbelievable. Here we are two weeks in a row playing against a Heisman candidate,” Texas head coach Mack Brown said.

In addition, only one Sooner running back has hit at least 100 yards in a game — junior Damien Williams who logged 104 yards in their season opener against UTEP. Also,

the Sooners are completing 48 percent of their third downs while only attempting, and completing, one fourth down.

Their defense is typical of a Big 12 defense, so a shootout is once again expected.

So far this season, the Oklahoma defense has given up 142.5 yards per game on the ground and 160.5 yards per game in the air. However, Oklahoma has played one fewer games than Texas has, the only legitimate contest coming against Kansas State.

“They really do both (run and pass),” head coach Bob Stoops said of preparing a defense for Texas. “With another year in the season ... I think not just Ash, but all of them feel more comfortable.”

players to watch

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

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matt warden daily texan staff

damien williams junior running back

Since the departure of Adrian Peterson, the Sooners have been a team heralded for their passing, not their rushing. Damien Williams looks like a guy who could change that kind of thinking if he can put everything together. The junior running back has rushed for 341 yards and five touchdowns through four games this season.

Although he had a lackluster performance in the loss to Kansas State, as did every other Sooner, he showed some new facets of his game against Texas Tech that make him even more dangerous in the minds of opposing defenses. In the win versus the Red Raiders, Williams carried the ball 14 times for 48 yards while also catching the ball six times for 82 yards. A guy with only two catches on the season entering that game, Williams showed that he has the skills to make plays beyond the backfield. Against a Texas Tech defense that entered the Oklahoma matchup with one of the best passing defenses in the country, Williams’s all-around performance becomes even more noteworthy. He’s not a name many fans are used to hearing, but expect to see Williams make some plays in many different areas when the Sooners play the Longhorns.

jamarkus mcfarland

senior defensive tackle

Jamarkus McFarland has been a mainstay on the Sooner defensive line over the past two seasons, starting in ten games and making an impact wherever he lines up. He’s off to a hot start this year with a team-high three sacks and one interception in four games. The Longhorns’ affinity for running the ball will give McFarland plenty of chances to shed blocks and make stops, but his strength is getting into the backfield to disrupt plays.

McFarland is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with three and will continue to make his presence felt in this game if he isn’t accounted for. The Sooners will most likely rotate in an assortment of defensive linemen but expect McFarland to be heard from early and often.

Sue Ogrocki | Associated Press

Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan file photo

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defense deserves to be mentioned at the same level. But even if the team as a whole is not considered elite, it sure can put together an elite performance. Texas countered with a good performance, some might even say that it was even a great performance, but it was not elite.

Texas is back to its 2004 form. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, either.

Those teams rolled out of bed and won 10 games. But they couldn’t win the big games. They couldn’t beat

SENIOR continues from page 6

him in any situation.”

He may not know what position he will line up at

elite teams, so the national perception said. But that team, led by Vince Young, Cedric Benson and Michael Huff changed the fate. The Longhorns beat four ranked teams to close out the season. And when finally given the opportunity in a BCS game, beat the champions from the Big Ten. This Red River Shootout is a big game, even if the records might not indicate it. With both Texas and Oklahoma having a loss, the loser of this game is virtually eliminated from the Big 12 Championship discussion.

And the Sooners aren’t exactly rolling at this stage in the year either. There are ques-

tions around Bob Stoops’ program. The loser of this game suffers a major setback.

The winner could potentially right the proverbial ship.

With another big game against Kansas State to close this season, Texas has two more chances to return to the nationally elite after blowing its first opportunity. If it can manage wins in those games, Texas may very well turn into an elite team when the season ends. History repeats itself and Mack Brown has another chance to declare his program as one of the best of the country. It’s not there yet, but like that 2004 team, it’s close, and it has a chance to prove it.

next, but Poehlmann enjoys his role. It brings something fresh every game, and allows him to contribute frequently in what wil be his final season in Austin.

“It’s been a blast,” Poehlmann said. “I just try to

make myself available to play whatever I guess the situation calls for. It’s been a blessing to get to play. Wherever I can help the team out the most, whatever the situation calls for, wherever that is at, I have to do that.”

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texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

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Target firmly placed on Texas secondary Sophomore defensive back Mykkele Thompson (2) started at safety last week against West Virginia while Kenny Vaccaro (4) shifted to nickel back in order to cover the Mountaineers’ best receiver, Tavon Austin (1).

The Longhorns held Geno Smith to a season-low 268 yards passing.

By Christian Corona Sports Editor

In the 10 quarters since Jordan Hicks went down with a hip injury during Texas’ win over Ole Miss last month, the Longhorns’ run defense has been plain awful.

They’ve given up 564 yards over that span — 199 to Oklahoma State’s Joseph Randle and 207 to West Virginia’s Andrew Buie — and five touchdowns as teams have averaged 6.1 yards per carry.

To put things in perspective, Texas gave up no more than 202 rushing yards in any game last season. After leading the Big 12 in rushing defense, the 182.4 rushing yards per game the Longhorns are allowing is the second-worst in the Big 12, ahead only of a Kansas team which has yet to beat an FBS team this season.

All the more reason for a young secondary to step up during this weekend’s Red River Rivalry.

“He’s one of our biggest leaders,” sophomore cornerback Quandre Diggs said of Hicks. “I look at Jordan as a brother. He put me under his wing when I first got here and he taught me how to work hard. If we got Jordan back, it would be a boost to our confidence.”

Like last week, Hicks’ return is questionable. So there’s a good chance that he won’t be able to direct the young members of Texas’ defense, making senior safety Kenny Vaccaro’s role in this week’s game against Oklahoma even more crucial.

“I just give them praise and tell them to keep fighting,” Vaccaro said. “I re-

Elisabeth Dillon Daily Texan Staff

member when I was young, I was making mental mistakes in the game. I wasn’t perfect. People get down on those guys but the game’s hard. With the new types of up-tempo offenses, the offensive coordinators making all these calls, it’s hard to be a young defensive player in this conference.”

After holding West Virginia’s Geno Smith to a season-low 268 yards passing and four touchdowns — incredibly, half as many as he threw the previous week in a 70-63 win over Baylor — the Longhorns face the Sooners’ Landry Jones, who torched Texas in a 55-17 triumph in last October’s Red River Rivalry.

Diggs, Vaccaro and junior Carrington Byndom will start against Oklahoma like they did last year. But

they’ll be joined in the secondary by sophomore Mykkele Thompson, who passed junior Adrian Phillips for the starting safety spot in this week’s depth chart.

Thompson and Phillips were listed as co-starters before last week’s game against West Virginia.

Against the Mountaineers, Thompson made a careerhigh 10 tackles, three less than he made last year, and nearly picked off Smith — what would have been his first interception of the year. But he was late in coverage before making many of those stops and moving backwards on many others.

“He did some really exciting things,” defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. “Mykkele is a guy, being a high school quarterback, who was taught his

whole life to avoid contact.

When you have the ball in your hands, you don’t want to run into anybody. When you go to the other side and you go play defense, you do the opposite and that’s not the most natural thing to you in the world, to all of a sudden that, the guy you want to avoid is now the guy you want to go hit.”

The defensive line has done its job this year. Alex Okafor had two sacks and forced Smith to fumble twice last Saturday. Jackson Jeffcoat had a sack and recovered one of those fumbles for a touchdown.

But, with a linebacking corps sorely missing Hicks, the Longhorns secondary has to step up this week in what is a must-win game against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl.

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texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

Setting the stage After rocky start, Ash undergoes metamorphosis in second year

By Chris Hummer David Ash’s first experience against Oklahoma wasn’t a good one.

At the time, Ash was a freshman and splitting time with Case McCoy, as the pair battled for the starting quarterback role. And in the game Ash’s inexperience showed: he threw two picks, completed only 11-of20 pass attempts and looked overwhelmed by the scope of the stage.

“You name it in quarterback 101 and you go back to that game you have about every situation you could draw from,” co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin said. “There were just so many things he could improve on.” (top left) 2011 Red River Rivalry game Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan file photo

It was one of the low points of Ash’s time at Texas, but the game served as the first step in his meteoritic rise from unreliable game manager to collegiate star.

But by no means did his game make a quick evolution.

Throughout last season Ash and McCoy split playing time, with neither player separating themselves.

Actually, the two were often switched in and out, not because one player earned the opportunity, but because the other was playing so poorly.

Ash completed 56.9 percent of his passes, averaged only 6.2 yards a throw, had a 1-to-2 touchdown to interception ratio and had a lower passer rating than Jaxon Shipley (top right) 2011 Holiday Bowl Lawrence Peart | Daily Texan file photo

— the person he was supposed to deliver the ball to.

It was a frustrating season as Texas floundered to an 8-5 record and was especially tough on an offense that struggled to complete the simplest of passes. It was a time the Texas players would like to forget and an offensive stretch receiver Mike Davis deemed “terrible.”

The coaches benched Ash for the final two regular season games, but he received an opportunity to start in the Holiday Bowl.

It was in San Diego that Ash staked his first major claim to the starting job. He didn’t have a spectacular game by any means, passing for just 142 yards and a touchdown, but he

played turnover free football and showed poise in a big-game environment while leading Texas to a win.

It was a performance that rocketed Ash’s confidence on an upward tick — a rise that still has yet to reach its peak.

However, in the offseason he still had to compete with McCoy to put a stranglehold on the starting job. But when the first game of this year arrived, it was Ash that had emerged as a leader.

“David is much more confident now than at any time last year, including the Holiday Bowl, or at any time during spring practice,” head coach Mack Brown said after naming Ash the starter.

(bottom left) 2012 game against Oklahoma State Lawrence Peart | Daily Texan Staff

ASH continues on page 24 (bottom right) Case McCoy and David Ash Lawrence Peart | Daily Texan file photo

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

15

Oklahoma roster includes several native Texans

By Garrett Callahan Every year the state universities of Texas and Oklahoma meet halfway between Austin and Norman in the Red River Rivalry where they represent their school and where they came from. However, for some Oklahoma players it might be a little tough to represent their home state, being that it’s most likely Texas.

Needless to say, the roster for the Longhorns is filled with a majority of native Texans. Of the 129 players on the Longhorns’ roster, 115 are from Texas. The Sooners tend to dip south for recruiting, with 50 of their 113 players hailing from the Lone Star State.

This creates an even bigger rivalry between the two Big 12 teams.

Players on the Texas roster want to prove that their Sooner counterparts picked the wrong team, while the Sooners want to prove they made that choice for a reason.

Former high school teammates meet in this game to earn bragging rights in their hometown and between friends. Texas senior Jeremy Hills will face high school teammate and friend Derrick Bradley, a wide receiver for Oklahoma.

“We’re still real good friends,” said Hills. “We’ve been good friends since we were about 13, 14 years old. We’ve been pretty

much texting back and forth every time this week.

Every time of year this week, me and him, our texts go up. It’s just whenever we go back home, it’s about bragging rights for back home.”

For the players, this creates a great atmosphere adding even more anticipation to an already exciting game.

The number of native Texans on the Oklahoma roster has increased in the past few years. In 2000 when Oklahoma won a National Championship, only four Texans were in the starting lineup while 12 were from Oklahoma. In 2008, eight Texans and only six Oklahomans started for the Sooners. This year 12

Oklahoma’s Travis Lewis, since graduated, hails from San Antonio. He is shown wearing No. 12 in honor of fallen teammate Austin Box as he makes his way around the Cotton Bowl with the Golden Hat Trophy after last year’s 55-17 win.

Lawrence Peart Daily Texan file photo

Texans are listed as starters in the two-deep depth chart for Oklahoma.

These two schools have a lot to look forward to this weekend as they face off in

Dallas. For the players this is an opportunity to see old friends, but most of all bring back the Golden Hat to their respective school.

No matter what the final

score, there won’t be a moment without excitement on Saturday. The Longhorns and the Sooners are playing for a lot more than just a win.

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texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

A storied Tradition In terms of college football, nothing quite compares to this game.

Sure, there are other rivalries around the country, great, longstanding rivalries, but something special happens when Texas and Oklahoma meet every year. It’s not just the smell of Fletcher’s corn dogs or the thousands of loyal fans that make the trek to Dallas that capture your attention, but rather the experience as a whole that draws you in. For me, the Red River Rivalry has always been a game to look forward to no matter how the Longhorns and Sooners have fared leading up to the game. From standing in line for countless hours in order to obtain a ticket, waiting in traffic on I-35 and then wading through the masses just to get into the Cotton Bowl— it’s all worth it. Win or lose, the game always brings excitement for both sides and leaves everyone with lasting memories. Here’s to looking forward to yet another chapter in one of the greatest rivalry games around.

—Nick Cremona Clippings from The Daily Texan archives of past Red River Rivalry games.

Daily Texan file photos

Past games encapsulate feeling of rivalry

By Ryan Haddox This Saturday at the Cotton Bowl, there will be just a bit more hatred spewed into a football rivalry that dates back over a hundred years. And while the Red River Rivalry doesn’t stack up to that of actual war, for players and fans it will seem rather similar for three hours on a clear fall day in Dallas.

The history of the rivalry is deep and storied. Pain, anger, excitement, jubilation and nerve-racking moments have laced the series and Saturday figures to have it all packed into one conveneient package. If you wanted a quick synopsis of how the rivalry has ebbed and flowed since the first meeting back in 1900, look no further than the last five games, as they paint the picture eloquently.

The 2007 installment pitted the No. 10 Sooners against the 16th-ranked Longhorns. The Sooners rolled in with a host of offensive talent. Sam Bradford started at quarterback, making only his sixth appearance at the college level. The Sooners featured Demarco Murray in the backfield and the rangy Jermaine Gresham at tight end. The Longhorns had no shortage of talent sprinkled throughout either, led by sophomore quarterback Colt McCoy, the deadlyquick Jamaal Charles, Jordan Shipley and Jermichael Finley. Both teams came into Dallas having lost the week before, and the Sooners were favored by to leave victorious. The Sooners won a hotly contested game by a score of 28-21, propelling themselves to a Big 12 championship and an eventual appearance in the Fiesta Bowl. The Longhorns sputtered to a 10-3 record, finishing with a victory over Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl.

The 2008 clash brought with it one of the most anticipated games in the history of the rivalry. Oklahoma was ranked No. 1, the Longhorns were 5th in the nation. Both teams brought high-flying offenses behind the arms of their stud quarterbacks, McCoy and Bradford. The Sooners jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, and held the a 21-20 advantage at halftime.

In the second half, the Longhorns foiled a fake punt attempt and ran with the resulting momentum.

Texas outscored the Sooners 25-7 after the fake and ended the day with a gratifying 45-35 win against the top-ranked Sooners. Texas would go on to have one of its most memorable seasons in recent history, but the Sooners eventually got the last laugh.

A three-way tie in the Big 12 South remained at the end of the regular season, and although Texas won the head-to-head matchup in Dallas, the Sooners won the tiebreaker with a better BCS ranking. The Sooners went on to play for a National Championship while the Longhorns ended the season with a win over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.

In 2009 the Longhorns began the season ranked No. 2, and the Sooners were one spot lower at No. 3. Unfortunately, an early season shoulder injury to Bradford, who won the Heisman a season before, derailed the magnitude of the game. Bradford returned in time for the RRR, but was forced back to the sideline after reaggravating his shoulder in the first quarter on a hit by Aaron Williams. Eventual Heisman finalist McCoy only mustered 127 passing yards, while his true freshman counterpart Landry Jones threw for 250 yards along with two interceptions in place of Bradford. Even with a subpar day for McCoy, he was able to lead the team to a sloppy 16-13 victory. The Longhorns would continue on their magical run, going undefeated and earning a spot in the National Championship game against Alabama. The Sooners, with Landry Jones suddenly thrust into the spotlight, finished with an 8-5 record and an appearance in the Sun Bowl.

In 2010 the script was flipped again, an underlying theme throughout the history of the rivalry. Texas came in with inexperience at the quarterback position for the first time in four seasons after the graduation of McCoy Sophomore Landry Jones suddenly was not the freshest face in the crowd with Garrett Gilbert on the opposite sideline. Oklahoma came to Dallas ranked No. 8, and Texas came in at No. 21 after getting demoralized a week earlier at the hands

of UCLA. Behind a powerful running attack led by Demarco Murray, the Sooners built a commanding 28-10 lead heading into halftime. The Longhorns, left for dead by most, mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, only to come up just short. The Sooners held on for a 28-20 victory. After that the Longhorns went into total free fall, ending with a 5-7 record in a season that would go down in the history books for many of the wrong reasons. The Sooners went on to win another Big 12 championship, their seventh overall, and eventually beat Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl.

Just a short year ago, the 2011 chapter in the rivalry represented rock bottom for a Longhorn program that had played for a National Championship just a season-and-a-half prior. The Sooners thundered into town ranked No. 3 behind the tandem of Landry Jones and receiver Ryan Broyles. The Longhorns came in at No. 11, but essentially brought a knife to a gun fight. With essentially no starting quarterback, the Longhorns rotated Case McCoy and David Ash into a burning fire pit, and it all culminated in a 5517 bloodbath of a loss. Jones and the Sooner offense enjoyed a wildly successful day, as he threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan Broyles and Kenny Stills combined for nearly 200 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Oklahoma would go on to finish with a record of 10-3 Texas eventually started to turn the ship around from its abysmal 5-7 season and the massacre that took place in Dallas. The Longhorns finished with an 8-5 record and a victory over the California in the Holiday bowl, taking another step in the rebuilding process.

That brings us to 2012. Both teams come in with a loss, but can still accomplish their preseason goals.

This particular game has a palpable do-or-die feel to it. If the last five years tell you anything about the overall history, it’s that these are two premier programs with big time expectations. For one Saturday each and every October, it’s about more than football.

It is about bragging rights.

For one day, it is total war.

TEXAS HOLDS A 59-42-5 SERIES ADVANTAGE 1900

First meeting. Texas wins 28-2, (game played in Austin).

1912

First game played in Dallas. Oklahoma wins, 21-6.

1937

Game ends in 7-7 tie.

1947

First ranked matchup.

No. 3 Texas wins over No. 15 Oklahoma, 34-14.

1996

First OT game in series history. Oklahoma defeats No. 25 Texas, 30-27.

big 12 power rankings

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1

2

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texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

wes maulsby daily texan staff

west virginia In front of what may have been the loudest crowd ever at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, West Virginia proved it is in fact a national title contender. Geno Smith added four touchdown passes to his season total and has yet to throw an interception. Andrew Buie rushed for over 200 yards and though the Mountaineer defense gave up 400 yards and 37 points, it got a timely sack in the fourth quarter that knocked the Longhorns out of field goal range. The offense also showed that it is not just a big play machine, going 5-5 on fourth down conversions, and only punting once on the night.

kansas state The Wildcats trailed the Jayhawks last week before scoring 21 unanswered points only interrupted by a Kansas safety in the third quarter. Kansas State proceeded to score four more touchdowns to put the game out of reach. At this rate Kansas State may not be able to survive against West Virginia if sleeps through the first half. But Kansas State plays better defense than anyone else in the conference and it will not beat itself with mistakes. If it can get through Iowa State unscathed, then its trip to Morgantown will put the winner in the middle of a dwindling national championship field.

texas

The Longhorns proved they are improving and David Ash continues to play well and put the team in position to win. Texas had the ball in its hands with a chance to show the country that it was back among the the nation’s best and that its two year slump was over. The Texas offense could not match the execution of the Mountaineers attack and while the defense made big plays throughout the night, its inability to get off the field gave West Virginia long drives, which eventually wore the Longhorns down. Now it has to shake off this disappointing loss and get ready for Oklahoma this week.

6

texas tech

7

iowa state

8

oklahoma state

9

tcu

The Red Raiders came back down to earth with a loss to Oklahoma last week. This was just the beginning of Texas Tech’s grinding schedule in which it will play three of the top four teams in the Big 12 in its next four games. The Red Raiders gained a lot of yards against the Sooners, but were unable to translate that into points. If the Red Raiders can figure out how to make that transition soon, then things could be looking up from the bottom of the conference.

The Cyclones’ road win over previously unbeaten TCU is big considering how competitive the conference has been this season. The Cyclones made life really tough for quarterback Trevone Boykin and forced him into three interceptions. Quarteback Jared Barnett made his first start of the season a memorable one with three touchdown passes in the road win. This comes on the heels of the Cyclones being held to under 200 total yards against Texas Tech.

At 4-1, Iowa State is in a good position right now, but it will have to find some more offense if it wants to continue to compete.

The Cowboys had the week off after suffering a close home loss to Texas. Fortunately, Oklahoma State is entering the easiest part of its schedule with games against Kansas, Iowa State and TCU over the next three weeks before it is thrown into the fire again near the season’s end. There are only three teams in the Big 12 without a conference win, so the Cowboys need to get wins wherever they can. Oklahoma State has one of the most prolific offenses in the country and will need it considering that its defense is allowing 31 points a game this season and is near the bottom of conference in turnover margin.

4

oklahoma

At this point there is really nothing separating the Sooners and Longhorns. Both have home losses to the top teams in the conference by one score, as well as road wins against quality opponents. After looking shockingly average early in the season Oklahoma got a big win against Texas Tech, who traditionally gives Oklahoma fits. The series between the two is even at four wins apiece since 2005. Now the Sooners have momentum riding into a Red River Rivalry game, while the Longhorns are going to have to get over their loss to West Virginia in a hurry.

The Horned Frogs’ flaws were put on full display against the Cyclones this past week. TCU has had at least two turnovers in every game since its season opener and had nine combined turnovers against Iowa State and Kansas. The Horned Frogs were able to move the ball against Iowa State, but they simply cannot keep their hands on the ball with 10 fumbles already on the season. Its defense is allowing 13 points per game and is second in the conference in total defense, but it gave up huge plays to Iowa State early, allowing it 150 yards on six plays for two touchdowns in the first quarter. If TCU wants to prove that it belongs in the Big 12, it will have to clean up its play.

5

baylor

kansas

The Bears chose a good time to have an off week, as three previously unbeaten teams in the Big 12 all lost last week. Baylor will host TCU this week with the Horned Frogs reeling after a home loss to Iowa State. Baylor’s offense may be second to West Virginia in the Big 12, but its defense is far from the top.

Fortunately for the Bears, TCU can’t seem to stop giving the ball away. If the Bears defense could find a way to make just a few stops a game, then they could be a very scary team to face for anyone in the conference.

10

The Jayhawks did the impossible last week: they were competitive for a half against Kansas State. That’s more than most expected from Kansas. It was able to move the ball on Kansas State, but five turnovers doomed it in the end. The Kansas defense was gashed for 346 yards on 9.4 yards per rush, with Kansas State’s Klein and Hubert averaging over 10 yards per carry. Kansas only has three home games left this season against Oklahoma State, Texas, and Iowa State. With Kansas playing as poorly as it is, its best chance to win will be at home, likely near the end of season against Iowa State.

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

21

don’t choke Texas has run the ball well this season, establishing its running back corps as one of the best in the nation. The Longhorns currently rank No. 28 in the country with 209 rushing yards per game. Oklahoma has a pesky defense; a defense that must be worn out before success is seen against it. In order for the Longhorns to accomplish this, they must use their polished running game to their advantage and wear down a Sooners defense that is only giving up 16 points a contest. Against West Virginia, freshman Johnathan Gray had his best game of the season, rushing for 87 yards on 14 carries. Joe Bergeron rushed for a career-best four touchdowns, showing his red zone presence. Oklahoma’s lone loss this year came in a game in which it allowed 213 rushing yards to Kansas State. Look for the Longhorns to run the ball to wear out the Sooners’ front line and open up big-play opportunities for David Ash and the rest of the offense to capitalize on.

control the ground It might seem simple, it might seem stupid and itt might even seem inapplicable. But if the Longhorns want to beat the Sooners, who have won the last two Red River Rivalries, they cannot choke when they have momentum on their side. Against West Virginia the Longhorns had the lead at a few critical points during the game. They led at the half and they led at one point late in the fourth quarter, but they squandered these leads just as easily as they gained them. Just when you thought the Longhorns might stop West Virginia and give themselves a chance to create a meaningful lead, West Virginia capitalized on yet another fourth down. The Mountaineers dared the Longhorns to stop them under pressure, converting on all five of their fourth-down attempts. A late missed field goal that could have tied the game with about four minutes left sealed the Longhorns’ fate. In a game that always brings action and demands all players’ best performances, the Longhorns must find a way to stay focused during crunch time and not let their advantages slip away like they did against West Virginia.

dial up the pressure The Sooners possess a very balanced offensive attack. They are currently ranked No. 36 in the nation in both passing and rushing yards per game, while scoring just over 38 points a game. Landry Jones found his usual stride against Texas Tech in a bounce-back win to reestablish the Sooners as a Big 12 title contender, so the focus of the Longhorns’ defense should be to get in Jones’ face and rattle him. Kansas State rushed Jones relentlessly, forcing him into his two interceptions of the season while holding him to under 300 yards passing. The Longhorns did about as good a job as anyone could ask against Geno Smith last week, forcing two fumbles which put the Longhorns in good positions to score points. If the Longhorns want to minimalize their weaknesses, they should use their strengths which are their imposing front line defenders. Texas should rush Jones and force him into pressured situations. If the defense can force pressured throws, expect plenty of opportunities for the Texas defense to cash in on Jones’ mistakes.

matchups

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texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

Peter Sblendorio daily texan staff

QUARTERBACK

RUNNING BACK

wide RECEIVERS

OFFENSIVE LINE

Landry Jones has had a strong career with the Sooners and many believe that he projects as an NFL quarterback some day in the near future. This season, he has been productive yet unspectacular, throwing for 1,032 yards and seven touchdowns against two interceptions. .

David Ash, on the other hand, is in the midst of a breakout sophomore season and has been the nation’s third most efficient passer with a rating of 180.1. Completing over 77 percent of his passes, Ash has thrown for 1,276 yards and 11 touchdowns with just one interception through five games. While Jones has had the more established career as a starter, Ash has been more productive than the Sooners’ senior in 2012 and seems to be on the rise heading into this game.

Even with Ash having a standout season, the foundation of this Texas offense is still its run game. Three Longhorns have eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark through five games, with Joe Bergeron leading the way with 300 yards and nine touchdowns. Malcolm Brown is averaging more than six yards a carry and if he misses this week with an ankle sprain, the explosive Johnathan Gray (5.2 yards per carry) still has the ability to lead the offense down the field. The Sooners have been strong on the ground as well, averaging 5.7 yards per rush, but collectively they have only run the ball 134 times. Oklahoma has a pass-first offense and due to this their running backs have scored six less touchdowns than the Texas backs.

Both teams like to spread the ball out among their wide receivers, as the Longhorns have five players with over 100 yards in five games and the Sooners have four such players through four games.

Mike Davis and Jaxon Shipley have become a dependable starting duo for Texas, combining for more than 500 yards and six touchdowns. For the Sooners, Sterling Shepard is having a nice freshman season, but their top target has been veteran Kenny Stills. Coming off of backto-back 61-reception seasons, Stills leads Oklahoma with 29 catches for 344 yards, both of which would lead Texas despite Stills having played one less game. While both teams sport impressive receivers, the production and experience of Stills gives the Sooners a slight edge.

The Texas offense is predicated on its ability to run the ball and to earn yards after the catch on short completions. The Longhorns are sixth in the nation in scoring 46.4 points per game and they earn more than 200 yards per game both running and passing the ball. All season long the veteran Texas lineman have opened up holes for their runners and the Longhorns are averaging nearly five yards per carry on 213 attempts as a result. Likewise, the line has been impressive blocking on screen plays as well as traditional passes from the pocket and this is a big reason that Ash has been so efficient. The Sooners’ line has allowed Oklahoma to earn its share of yards passing and running, but overall Texas has had the more efficient and productive offense in 2012.

advantage

advantage

advantage

advantage

SECONDARY

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Longhorns have a major advantage in forcing turnovers in the secondary, as they have intercepted seven passes while the Oklahoma backs have just four picks. That said, the Sooners have had the more solid unit overall unit, as they have not allowed an opposing quarterback to throw for more than 203 yards in four games and they have only given up one passing touchdown through the air.

The Longhorns may have more big-play ability in the secondary, but they have given up considerably more yardage to opponents, allowing an average of 221.8 yards per game through the air.

Both of these teams have been successful on returns this year, with Texas averaging 26.5 yards on kickoffs and 16.2 yards on punts and Oklahoma averaging 28.2 yards on kickoffs and 22 yards on punts. The difference between these two special teams units comes down to field goals. Oklahoma has gone 5-for-6 on field goals and is perfect on attempts under 40 yards. The Longhorns on the other hand are just 4-for-9 on field goal tries and are 0-for-4 on attempts of greater than 40 yards. If this game comes down to a critical field goal attempt, the Sooners should have the edge.

advantage

advantage

DEFENSIVE LINE After being relatively quiet in its first four games, the Texas defensive line made some serious noise in a breakout performance against Geno Smith and the Mountaineers last Saturday.

Defensive ends Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat provided constant pressure throughout the game, and the Longhorns were able to force Smith to fumble twice inside his own red zone. Okafor has six sacks this season, Jeffcoat has 3 1/2. The Longhorns as a whole have five more sacks than Oklahoma this season (13) and shouldn’t have a problem getting around an OU offensive line decimated by injuries.

advantage

LINEBACKERS While the defensive line had a strong game against West Virginia, the Texas linebackers continued to struggle against the Mountaineers. Andrew Buie ran for 207 yards and two touchdowns against the Longhorns and he was able to earn huge yardage on many plays once he got past the Texas defensive line. The Longhorns’ linebackers have struggled with tackling and stopping the run all season and the loss of Jordan Hicks has clearly weakened the unit in the past two contests. The Sooners linebackers have been decent this year, allowing 4.5 yards per rush, but they have been able to limit opponents to just four touchdowns on the ground this year. Oklahoma’s ability to limit big runs and stuff opponents in the red zone is due in large part to the play of the linebackers.

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texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

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His confidence translated perfectly to the field during the Longhorns’ first two contests.

Ash was efficient, completing 73.4 percent of his passes during the stretch while throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions.

But it was Ash’s performance in the Big 12 opener with 60,000 hostile Oklahoma State fans showering insults upon him that defined his evolution.

With less than three minutes remaining, Ash orchestrated a spectacular gamewinning drive which included a clutch fourth down conversion and a gutsy, well-thrown deep ball. In the victory Ash threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns while completing 81.1 percent of his passes.

It was an amazing showcase of his progress, and a moment his teammates hailed as defining in his development.

“Just for him to be able to come out here in the situation that we were in, in the environment that we were in, and to make plays like he did and just throw those balls that he did

was just incredible,” Shipley said. “It just shows how much he’s grown over the year.”

His augmentation has been accelerated by his work ethic and ever-evolving leadership skills, but the area that he’s seen the quickest advancement is in the maturation of his decision making.

As a freshman the game moved at lightning speed for Ash and when coupled with the much different role he played in the Longhorns’ offense as opposed to his high school system, it was a telling formula for his struggles.

“I had to learn the difference between a high school game and a college game, Ash said. “In high school, I kind of had a little gun-slinger mentality, ran all over the field, throw as hard, as far as I could. But the college game is different. There’s so much more you have to take into account when making decisions back there.”

Now, Ash understands what needs to be done at the collegiate level, and the results are there for everyone to see. He has the third-highest

‘

I had to learn the difference between a high school game and a college game.

—David Ash Sophomore quarterback

passer rating in the nation, has thrown only one pick and is on pace to throw for 3,000 yards – a feat that’s only been accomplished by four quarterbacks in Texas history.

However, the Oklahoma game still looms large and until Ash leads Texas to a win over a nationally ranked team those lofty stats will continue to be followed by a “but...”

It’s a monumental game and Ash will certainly be looking at the tape of his lowest moment to ensure that he completes his largest step yet.

heisman watch

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

25

wes maulsby daily texan staff

Braxton Miller Sophomore QB, Ohio State

Last Week: 7-for-14 (50 percent) for 127 yards and one TD, 16 rushes for 186 yards (11.6 yards per carry) and one TD. Season: 83-for-135 (61 percent) for 1060 yards, nine TDs and three interceptions, 106 rushes for 763 yards (7.2 yards per carry) and eight TDs. Miller is having a breakout season and is the primary reason that Ohio State is already bowl eligible. Or, it would be, were it not on probation with a bowl ban.

But he’s still playing well and the Buckeyes are undefeated at this point and a Top 10 team in the AP poll (still ineligible in the Coaches’ poll).

However, Miller’s passing stats leave something to be desired. In order for him to become a real Heisman threat, he will have to get a lot sharper on his passes, which he may need another offseason to tighten up. But his ground game has made him one of the most dangerous players in the Big Ten. The queston still remains that with Ohio State unable to play in any postseason games, how much consideration will he get?

Matt Barkley Senior QB, USC

Last Week: 23-for-30 (76 percent) for 303 yards and three TDs. Season: 111-for-173 (64 percent) for 1308 yards, 15 TDs and five interceptions.

Ever since the one-possession loss at Stanford in midSeptember, people have fallen asleep on USC. Are the Trojans National Championship contenders? That remains to be seen. After USC lines up against Oregon in early November, we will know how good both teams are, as well as how good Barkley is. But he is still in the Heisman race. His October schedule is fairly pedestrian and USC should be hot heading into the titanic matchup against Oregon.

The Trojans dashed Oregon’s National Title hopes in Eugene last season and they could do the same this season at home.

Collin Klein Senior QB, Kansas State

Last Week: 7-for-14 (50 percent) for 129 yards and two TDs, 10 rushes for 116 yards (11.6 yards per carry) and two TDs. Season: 63-for-94 (67 percent) for 887 yards for seven TDs and two interceptions, 73 rushes for 405 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and seven TDs. Klein continues be as solid and consistent as any player in the country. His numbers cannot compare to Smith’s, and 20 years ago, he would not have had a chance to win the Heisman. But with all of Kansas State’s games on television, voters all over the country get to watch him and see him play. He’s not flashy, and he doesn’t make the precision throws that Smith does, but Klein gets it done unlike anyone else in the game right now.

He is tough as nails and will physically wear down any defense. Klein and running back John Hubert make up the most physical backfield in the country and Klein may have the best chance at passing Smith when they square off in two weeks.

Manti Te’o Senior LB, Notre Dame

Last Week: 10 tackles.

Season: 46 tackles, three interceptions.

Notre Dame played Miami in a thriller — in 1988. Last week’s game, a 41-3 Fighting Irish win, was not a thriller. Te’o recorded his third double-digit tackle game of the season against the Hurricanes. With Florida State and Georgia both falling last week, the field in front of Te’o continues to shrink. As long as Notre Dame keeps winning, he will continue to receive Heisman consideration. With games against Stanford, Oklahoma, and Southern California still to come, Notre Dame will continue to be in high profile games. . Working in Te’o’s favor is that as long as he and the defense continue to play well his Heisman campaign can survive a loss or two.

Geno Smith Senior QB, West Virginia

Last Week: 25-for-35 percent) for 268 yards four TDs. Season: 166-for-204 percent) for 1996 yards 24 TDs.

(71 and (81 and

Smith put himself in the Heisman lead early and he sealed his spot last week.

Against a Texas defense that was trying to hit him and get to him the entire game, Smith still coordinated the West Virginia offense flawlessly. He was always able to make a big play when the Mountaineers needed it and had big passes that had to be on target. There were times when the Texas coverage was good, but his throws were just better. Barring a miracle from another source, Smith should not be passed as long as West Virginia keeps winning. It will take a loss to dethrone Smith — that might not even be enough.

Mike Gillislee Senior RB, Florida

Last Week: 34 rushes for 148 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and two TDs. Season: 103 rushes for 548 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and seven TDs. Fresh off the huge win over LSU, Florida is now one of the leaders for the National Title discussion.

Gillislee is the main reason why. He is averaging 110 rushing yards per game, just a few behind the pace set by Mark Ingram when he won the Heisman in 2009. For the Gators to keep winning, they will need to rely on the legs of Gillislee, so he will have plenty of opportunities to add to his resume.

Photos from the Associated Press

26

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

GUEST COLUMN

Sooners’ supporting cast must lend Jones a hand

By Jono Greco The Oklahoma Daily

If I’ve learned anything from Sooner fans since 2009, it’s that No. 13 Oklahoma lives or dies with the play of senior quarterback Landry Jones.

After defeating Texas Tech 41-20, fans live because of Jones. After losing to Kansas State 24-19, they die because of him.

What a vicious circle.

Maybe there’s another party on the offense that should re-

ceive more credit — or blame — than it currently does. Perhaps it’s the running game.

Through four games the Sooners (3-1, 1-1 Big 12) are averaging 190.5 rushing yards per game — 137.7 rushing yards per game when excluding FCS-opponent Florida A&M — which is good for the 36th-best rushing attack in the nation.

In Oklahoma’s only loss, the running game produced just 92 yards, which is a somewhat skewed number considering the Sooners had to abandon the running

game and throw the ball to play catch-up in the fourth quarter against Kansas State.

In its three victories, Oklahoma has averaged 225 rushing yards per game with the lowest game total being 121 rushing yards against Texas Tech last Saturday.

Many factors go into these numbers — the opponent’s quality, the banged-up offensive line, how the game is going or which running back is in the game — but they tell everyone one main thing: when the Sooners run the ball effectively, they win.

The same has to be true if the Sooners want to defeat No. 15 Texas this weekend in Dallas.

The Longhorns (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) have allowed 182.4 rushing yards per game, meaning the Sooners could do something they have done only once since the 2007 Red River Rivalry game, and that is to rush for at least 100 yards.

Since 2007 Oklahoma has averaged 60.5 rushing yards per game against Texas, including one game where it totaled -16 yards on the ground.

Although these numbers

jump up and get down

Zachary Strain | Daily Texan Staff The Texas sideline erupted after defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat recovered a fumble for a touchdown in last weekend’s 45-48 loss to West Virginia.

point toward the need to attack through the air, don’t be deceived. Oklahoma needs to be able to run the ball simply because it becomes too easy to defend and too easy to beat if opponents force Jones to be the primary playmaker.

Kansas State took that approach, and look how that game ended.

Senior running back Dominique Whaley — who rushed for 83 yards in last year’s game against Texas — and junior running back Damien Williams need to be productive to take off some

pressure from Jones.

The Longhorns have scored at least 37 points in each game this season, so the two, along with junior fullback Trey Millard, need to help control the clock, gain some yards and put some points on the board if the Sooners want to be able to contain or keep up with Texas’ stout offense.

If they don’t, and Jones has to win this game on his own, then winning a third straight Red River Rivalry game is going to be a much harder feat to accomplish.

check back october 19

for photos of the red river rivalry game

games to watch

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

27

Peter Sblendorio daily texan staff

NO. 3 south carolina at no. 9 lsu Overall 6-0 SEC 4-0

no. 17 stanford at no. 7 notre dame Overall 4-1 Pac-12 2-1

Overall 5-1 SEC 1-1

Overall 5-0 Home 3-0

TCU at baylor Overall 4-1 Big 12 1-1

no. 6 kansas state at iowa state Overall 5-0 Big 12 2-0

Overall 3-1 Big 12 0-1

Overall 4-1 Big 12 1-1

Tiger Stadium Saturday 7 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Notre Dame Stadium Saturday 2:30 p.m.

TV: NBC

Floyd Casey Stadium Saturday 6 p.m.

Jack Trice Stadium Saturday 11 a.m.

TV: FX

After several less-than-inspiring performances against far superior teams, LSU could not overcome its offensive liabilities against Florida. The Tigers, who remain one of the nation’s top defensive units, seemed overmatched by the Gators on offense, scoring just six points.

South Carolina on the other hand proved just how tough it can be on both sides of the ball, scoring 35 points against the much renowned Georgia defense while holding the Bulldogs to just seven points. The Gamecocks will look to build on their statement win this Saturday, while LSU will aim to get back on track. These factors make this perhaps the most intriguing game of the week.

The Fighting Irish have surprised many with their 5-0 start and have been beating opponents with the nation’s second-strongest defense. Limiting opponents to just 7.8 points per contest, Notre Dame is yet to allow more than 17 points in a game. Offensively, the Irish have done just enough behind quarterback Everett Golson and a balanced running attack. Stanford also has a strong defense and has surprised some on offense behind quarterback Josh Nunes, but its loss to Washington two weeks ago dropped the Cardinals in the rankings. The Cardinals could present Notre Dame with its biggest threat of the season to date.

The Horned Frogs took a big hit after suspending quarterback Casey Pachall following a DWI arrest last week and they struggled in their first game without him, a 37-23 loss against Iowa State. The foundation of this TCU team however is its defense, which only allows 13.2 points per game. Baylor is quite the opposite, as the Bears are 3-1 thanks to a strong offense despite a vulnerable defense. Quarterback Nick Florence has been impressive through four games, throwing for 1,585 yards and 16 touchdowns. TCU will be the Bears’ toughest defensive test of the year so far and the Horned Frogs, too, are hopeful to get back into the win column against a Big 12 opponent.

Kansas State might not receive all of the hype that many of the nation’s top teams do, but make no mistake, the Wildcats are one of college football’s best teams. Quarterback Collin Klein has been as dangerous on the ground as he has been through the air, rushing for seven touchdowns and throwing for seven more scores. The Wildcats have been strong on defense, too, as they have yet to allow an opponent to score more than 21 points. The Wildcats have quickly become one of the favorites to win the Big 12, but facing an Iowa State team that is coming off a significant victory will be no easy task for Kansas State.

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29

‘

You don’t really know what the environment is going to be like.

You’ve heard things, you’ve seen it on TV, but it’s always different.

— Trey Hopkins Junior offensive lineman

By Lauren Giudice Texas’ loss to Oklahoma last year was one of those losses that just never seemed to go away.

It wasn’t just another loss.

It was clear-cut proof that the Longhorns were nowhere near being back in the national picture.

But that was last year and the Longhorns aren’t dwelling on the past. Instead, they’re learning from it.

“Last year everything was new to us,” junior offensive lineman Trey Hopkins said.

“The defense might have picked it up a little quicker than the offense did but now that the basics are learned it’s more of just who can pick up the fine points of the offense and the defense the quickest.”

Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones had no problem handling the Longhorns’ defense last year. Jones went 31-for-52 for 367 yards and four touchdowns on the way to the Sooners’ 55-17 win.

The OU defense scored three touchdowns in the mauling. That’s one more touchdown than the entire Texas offense scored.

This year’s Oklahoma defense will be the toughest defense the Longhorns have faced so far this season. But, this also isn’t the same Texas offense as last year.

“We were growing as a team,” quarterback David Ash said. “We were still improving, and we were still young.

We learned a lot, but I think this year it’s a whole new

Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan file photo David Ash (14) is manhandled by Oklahoma’s Frank Alexander (84) in last year’s Red River Rivalry. This season Ash and the Longhorns bring a new-found confidence to Dallas.

season, two new teams, and again, it’s going to be about preparation and execution.”

While splitting quarterback duties against Oklahoma, Case McCoy fumbled the ball twice and Ash threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a 55-yard touchdown. Now, Ash is the clear starting quarterback and has been consistent so far this season with only one interception.

Back then, he was just a freshman playing in his fifth collegiate game and sharing the starting spot with McCoy. The Longhorns attribute the blowout loss to many things, with inexperience noted as a big factor.

“I’m sure it can be overwhelming playing in it young,” offensive guard Mason Walters said. “It can be overwhelming playing in it as an older guy. I’m sure everybody gets a little bit of anxiety and butterflies about the game.”

Though the Longhorns are a year older, overall the team is still young. The atmosphere inside the Cotton Bowl can be quite overwhelming for freshmen.

Hopkins remembers being shocked when he walked onto the field at the Cotton Bowl for the first time. He and the other team leaders, especially on defense, will look to help the younger players prepare for the rivalry.

“It’s not a distraction anymore because pretty much

everyone except for the freshmen knows what it’s going to be like,” Hopkins said.

“You don’t really know what the environment is going to be like. You’ve heard things, you’ve seen it on TV, but it’s always different.”

The Longhorns subscribe to a 24-hour rule, meaning the players can only dwell on their previous game for 24 hours and then they need to move on to the next game.

But the Oklahoma game last year was a different kind of loss and Walters has used it as a motivator. He said losing by such a large margin can hurt a team’s pride, but he and the Longhorns are not the same team they were last year and are using the loss to motivate them.

“I think it was a good motivator throughout the offseason to really work hard and know that you’re competing against a guy that you’re going to go against next year and look through the film and say ‘what is he doing at this point to get better than I am’ and you work through that all through the offseason and all through spring ball and try to get better,” Walters said.

There are some losses that can’t be forgotten. Ash said he hadn’t experienced a loss like the one against Oklahoma last year since his sophomore year of high school.

After losing to Oklahoma two years in a row, the Longhorns will need a big win Saturday to redeem themselves.

30

big 12 notebook

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

TCU loses Pachall, Cyclones face test

By Hank South The first weekend of Big 12 play proved the conference is wide open. With the exception of Kansas, any team in the conference is capable of upsetting another.

Let’s take a look at some of the Big 12 notes heading into the weekend.

• Suspended TCU quarterback Casey Pachall has withdrawn from the University to seek treatment and will not play the remainder of the season.

Pachall was indefinitely suspended after being pulled over early last Thursday morning and charged with DWI. Pachall’s absence was felt last weekend as TCU dropped a home game to Iowa State, 37-23.

Pachall’s replacement, redshirt freshman Trevone Boykin, struggled throwing three interceptions.

• Kansas dropped the Sunflower Showdown to Kansas State 56-16 last weekend, but competed early on, trailing only by a touchdown at the half. The Wildcats racked up 35 points in the second half, sending the Jayhawks home with a (1-4, 0-2) record. Come Sunday, Kansas head coach Charlie

LM Otero | Associated Press Iowa State wide receiver Josh Lenz (19) and TCU cornerback Jason Verrett (2)

Weis had changed things up a little. Weis had the players that will be on the football team next year practice and the players that won’t be back simply run and lift weights. Weis emphasized the importantance of continuously developing, not punishing his players.

• Many are looking at the West Virginia versus Texas Tech matchup as a trap game for West Virginia. The game will take place in Lubbock, former home of Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen, which surely adds a little distraction to the mix.

The Red Raiders are coming off a 41-20 home loss to Oklahoma and will undoubtedly look to defend their turf fervently. West Virginia faces Kansas State next weekend and is coming off an intense game against the Longhorns in Austin. The Mountaineers’ game against the Wildcats may prove to decide the Big 12 champion, which might have some Mountaineer players looking ahead.

• A rivalry is rekindling in Waco this weekend, when TCU visits Baylor in a conference matchup for the first time since 1995. The rivalry is 112 years old and is one of the most competi-

tive in college football with an all-time series record of (50-50-7). The Bears defeated the Horned Frogs last season in a preconference matchup, 50-48.

• Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder spent his 73rd birthday watching film this Sunday. Snyder has the Wildcats on pace for one of their best seasons in school history.

• Oklahoma State might be the best two-loss team in history. The Cowboys lead the nation in total offense, scoring and thirddown conversion percentage. Texas head coach Mack Brown touted OSU as “the most physical (OSU) team he has faced.” The Cowboys average 58 more total yards per game than the Baylor offense, the 2nd-ranked offense in the country.

• Iowa State proved its defensive worth in the Cyclones’ win over TCU in Fort Worth last weekend.

The Cyclones picked off three passes and forced two fumbles. The Cyclones allowed only one rush over 20 yards to the Horned Frogs, and didn’t allow a pass over 33 yards. ISU’s defense is allowing 15.8 points per game and will surely be tested this weekend when Kansas State heads to Ames.

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national notebook

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

next issue october 19

No. 8 Zach Mettenberger | Associated Press

Al Groh | Associated Press

LSU sticks to guns, Groh let go

By Hank South With three of the top five ranked teams losing this past weekend and the release of the first BCS rankings just five days away, college football is heating up.

Let’s take a look at some of the national notes heading into the weekend.

• Oregon State sophomore quarterback Sean Mannion is out indefinitely after injuring his knee last Saturday.

Mannion had been having a great season throwing for 1,358 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the Beavers in climbing the plls all the way up to No. 10.

• Iowa cornerback Micah Hyde will start this weekend versus Michigan State despite the senior’s arrest for public intoxication last Saturday during the Hawkeyes’ bye week.

• Georgia Tech parted ways with defensive coordinator Al Groh this week. The Yellow Jackets are coming off their third straight loss, the latter being to No. 16 Clemson by a score of 4731. Georgia Tech has blown leads in the second half to

Miami and Virginia Tech, both games in which the Yellow Jackets proceeded to lose in overtime.

• Ohio State will be without senior linebacker Etienne Sabino for at least month. Sabino fractured his leg versus Nebraska last weekend. The Buckeyes are already thin at linebacker and surely will feel the absence of Sabino.

• UCLA senior running back Jonathan Franklin is battling thigh and calf contusions heading into the Bruins’ matchup with Utah this weekend. Franklin is the Pac-12’s leading rusher thus far, running for 800 yards and averaging 7.4 yards a carry.

• It’s been a rough few days for Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray following the Bulldogs 35-7 loss to South Carolina. The junior quarterback arrived home in Athens to find his house egged and toilet papered, only then to find out the next morning that his father has thyroid cancer. Murray tweeted last Sunday, “Probably the worst 12 hours of my life but I know my family will push through. Keep my

dad in your prayers please.”

• Illinois head coach Tim Beckman was seen using smokeless tobacco (dip) on the sidelines during Illinois’ game versus Wisconsin. The University will have to file a secondary violation for Beckman’s actions. The NCAA prohibits use of smokeless tobacco for coaches, student athletes and referees during games or practices. If caught, the offender is to be banned for the remainder of the game.

• Former Florida quarterbacks Danny Wuerffel and Chris Leak have recently called current Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel to give tips on handling success. Driskel said they basically told him to, “keep the team rolling,” however, he prefers to keep most of the advice private.

• LSU head coach Les Miles will not bench junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who struggled in the 14-6 loss at Florida last weekend. In 2011, Miles benched pocket-passer Jarrett Lee in favor of the more mobile Jordan Jefferson. At the time the Tigers were No. 13 nationally in passing efficiency.

33

Texas vs.

Baylor

EAT LIKE A LOCAL 30 locations in Central Texas

texan staff picks

texas vs. ou | 2012 edition

35

nick cremona

lauren giudice

chris hummer

christian corona

sara beth purdy

PETER SBLENDORIO

wes maulsby

hank south

matt warden

6-4

8-2

5-5

6-4

6-4

6-4

8-2

6-4

6-4

Overall Record

26-19

32-13

28-17

32-13

26-19

29-16

35-10

34-11

26-19

Texas vs. Oklahoma

Texas 39-31

Oklahoma 28-24

Texas 38-31

Texas 45-35

Texas 45-41

Texas 38-31

Texas 45-30

Texas 38-28

Texas 38-34

Last Week’s Record

South Carolina vs. LSU

LSU

South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina

LSU

South Carolina South Carolina

Kansas State vs. Iowa St.

Kansas State

Kansas State

Kansas State

Kansas State

Kansas State

Kansas State

Iowa State

Kansas State

Kansas State

West Virginia vs.

Texas Tech

West Viriginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

Stanford

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Washington

USC

USC

USC

USC

USC

USC

USC

USC

Baylor

Baylor

Baylor

Baylor

Baylor

Baylor

TCU

Baylor

Baylor

Kentucky

Arkansas

Arkansas

Arkansas

Arkansas

Arkansas

Kentucky

Arkansas

Arkansas

Tennessee

Tennessee

Louisville

Louisville

Stanford vs. Notre Dame

USC vs. Washington

TCU vs. Baylor

Kentucky vs. Arkansas

Tennessee vs. Miss. St.

Louisville vs. Pittsburgh

Mississippi St. Mississippi St.

Pittsburgh

Louisville

Mississippi St. Mississippi St.

Louisville

Louisville

Tennessee

Louisville

Mississippi St. Mississippi St.

Louisville

PIttsburgh

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