T H E D A I LY T E X A N P R E S E N T s D o u b l e c ov e r ag e
a storied tradition Oct. 11, 2019
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Friday, October 11, 2019
Looking into the future By Myah Taylor @t_myah
O
ver the last decade, Oklahoma has padded its winning résumé. Each year, its offense seems to get more explosive, its quarterbacks are frequently in Heisman contention, and conference championships as well as playoff appearances have become common. In a college football landscape dominated by the SEC and Clemson, the Sooners have been the pride of the Big 12. But as it currently stands, Oklahoma is not the top destination in the conference for the class of 2020 recruits. That title would belong to its rival — Texas. Texas on the come up
One of the main storylines of the last two college football seasons is based on one question: Is Texas back? The Longhorns’ 0–1 start against Maryland the last two seasons said “no.” Texas’ upset of Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl and its 7–2 record against Big 12 competition last season said “maybe.” But then, the Longhorns’ loss to the Sooners in the Big 12 Championship Game last December said “not yet.” However, Texas’ win over SEC powerhouse Georgia in the 2019 Sugar Bowl indicated an upward trend. The future looked bright for the Longhorns, who seemingly needed only a couple more strong recruiting classes before they could make their ascent back to the top of college football. For now, Texas’ future is in great shape.
Who’s coming to Texas in 2020?
Texas is winning the recruiting battle against Oklahoma, and it’s not all that close. So far, 20 players have chosen Austin as their home for next season. Of this group, 16 are four or five-star recruits, which is good enough for a No. 1 class ranking in the Big 12 and a No. 4 ranking in the country. Texas’ sole five-star commit so far is running back Bijan Robinson out of Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Arizona. Robinson committed to Texas in August and had a monster game shortly after. The dominant back rushed for 496 yards and six touchdowns Sept. 6 in his team’s 68-34 victory over Cactus High School. Robinson, who only played three quarters, broke school records for rushing yards and touchdowns in a game. Three weeks later, he became Southern Arizona’s all-time leading rusher after four touchdowns of 47, 60, 50 and 92 yards in the first half. Texas’ current running back room is paper-thin due to injuries. But next year, Robinson should help the Longhorns dominate out of the backfield. Other notable Texas commits include four-star dual-threat quarterbacks Hudson Card out of Lake Travis and Ja’Quinden Jackson out of Duncanville, four-star wide receiver Quentin Johnston out of Temple, and Vernon Broughton, a 6-foot-5 defensive tackle out of Cy Ridge in Houston.
Who’s going to Oklahoma?
So far, 18 players have committed to playing in Norman for the 2020 season. With the number of four and fivestar recruits tallying at 11, Oklahoma’s recruiting class ranks second in the Big 12 and 13th in the country.
anthony mireles
/ the daily texan file
Texas head coach Tom Herman stands in the tunnel at the Cotton Bowl before Texas’ 48-45 win over Oklahoma on Oct. 8, 2019. The Sooners’ top, and only, five-star recruit is also a running back — Jase McClellan out of Aledo, Texas. McClellan committed to Oklahoma in July 2017, establishing the star back as the team’s longest-tenured commit. However, McClellan expressed interest in Alabama and Texas as recently as July 2019. If he did switch over to Texas, the Longhorns would have the No. 5 running back in the nation in addition to the No. 3 back Robinson. But as it stands, both teams have strong prospects at running back, which could potentially create fierce ground battles in the future. At quarterback, Oklahoma has secured a dual-threat player of its own in Michael Henderson out of Carrollton, Texas. But Henderson, a four-star recruit, is a lower-rated prospect than the quarterbacks Texas has picked up for 2020. What does this mean?
Oklahoma is still king in the Big 12 for now, but Texas is on the rise with an increasing number of talented players committing to the burnt orange and white. The Golden Hat may still be up for grabs this weekend, but in the recruiting battle so far, Texas is victorious heading into the future.
renee koite
/ the daily texan staff
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Friday, October 11, 2019
Herman looks back on history, tradition behind Red River Rivalry joshua guenther
/ the daily texan file
Tom Herman addresses the media ahead of Saturday’s matchup against Oklahoma. This weekend will be Herman’s fourth time facing Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley, who holds a 2–1 record against Texas. By Daniela Perez @danielap3rez
Head coach Tom Herman has seen and worked in great college rivalries since the start of his career. He experienced the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry firsthand while he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ohio State. He’s been a part of the Battle of the Piney Woods, a 94-season rivalry between Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin State University. And of course, the Red River Rivalry. Though this is Herman’s third Red
River Rivalry as head coach, his first memory dates back to 1999, when he served as an offensive graduate assistant at Texas. “My first memory … as a (graduate assistant) riding through the State Fair (of Texas) … (I was) looking out the window at this elderly lady that had to have been 80 years old going double bird to the Texas bus,” Herman said. “Then next to her was a, couldn’t have more been than eight-year-old boy, going double bird to the Texas bus … It speaks to the intensity of the rivalry. It crosses a lot of different generations.” Since Lincoln Riley and Herman were hired as head coaches at OU and Texas, respectively, before the 2017 season, Riley has churned out two Heisman trophy winners in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Now in
Week Seven, Jalen Hurts is a Heisman contender, and Herman recognizes Oklahoma’s offensive threat. “I think we have done an admirable job in all three games, including in 2017 when we weren’t really good. We held them to significantly less (than) their season average in terms of points allowed,” Herman said. “(You) are not going to shut Oklahoma out. This is not going to be a 10-7 ballgame. (We) have got to get critical stops.” But as Riley has produced two NFL quarterbacks, offensive coordinator Tim Beck and Herman have developed junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger. The freshman who had a 48.7% completion rate against the Sooners in 2017 has grown into the team captain who passed for over 400 yards against LSU. According to Herman, he and Ehlinger have developed a strong bond over the years. “My admiration, affection, love for
Sam Ehlinger I hope is very well-documented,” Herman said. “I love him like a son. I’ve just been so impressed with his development as a player. We knew all of the intangibles were there as a young freshman but to see him develop into the quarterback that he is has been really impressive.” Herman has been a part of many historic rivalries, but even though he’s seen games such as Michigan against Ohio State, the Red River Rivalry stands out as the best game in college football. “It’s been pretty cool to be a part of all of those, but this one takes the cake just because of it being interstate rivals,” Herman said. “The two states in general don’t get along very well. I think it’s cool that it’s always on our soil. Everything that surrounds the game makes it one of the best, if not the best, games in college football.”
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Tua Tagovailoa Quarterback, Alabama
Alabama might have been idle this week, but Tagovailoa still tops our Heisman watch list. The junior is still one of the top in the nation in total passing yards and remains second in quarterback rating behind only Jalen Hurts at Oklahoma. But Tagovailoa and the Tide are yet to be tested in what’s been a cakewalk of a schedule thus far. Despite Alabama’s favorable schedule through five games, Tagovailoa’s numbers are still nothing short of incredible — 23 touchdowns, zero interceptions and over 1,700 yards passing. If Tagovailoa can maintain this pace — and he should against a sputtering Texas A&M team — he’ll be a lock to become Alabama’s first Heisman winner since running back Derrick Henry in 2015.
Jalen Hurts Quarterback, Oklahoma
Oklahoma started slow but finished fast in its 45-20 victory over the last-place Kansas Jayhawks, although Jalen Hurts turned in his least impressive performance of the season. Hurts, much like the rest of the Sooner bunch, struggled in the first quarter. After a punt on Oklahoma’s first possession — something Oklahoma had not done in three out of their first four games — Hurts and the Sooners found their rhythm and rattled off 42 unanswered points. Hurts, however, struggled against the perennial bottom-feeders of the Big 12. The Alabama transfer produced season lows in passing yards, passing touchdowns and completion percentage to go along with his second interception of the season. But the Red River Showdown presents HEISMAN
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Friday, October 11, 2019
joshua guenther
/ the daily texan file
Senior receiver Devin Duvernay tries to break free from a tackler in Texas’ 36-30 win over Oklahoma State on Sept. 21. Duvernay had 12 catches for 108 yards in the win.
Duvernay’s quiet leadership, competitive spirit will be on display in final return to Dallas. By Marcus Krum
@marcuskrum
t is Oct. 8, 2016. Receiver Devin Duvernay is standing in an end zone painted burnt orange with 92,000 fans filling the Cotton Bowl with sound. Then a freshman, Duvernay had
just scored his first career touchdown on a 63-yard bomb from quarterback Shane Buechele, and he hadn’t the slightest clue of what was supposed to happen next. “It was kind of a surreal moment,” Duvernay said. “I scored, and I didn’t even know what to do or what happened.” Duvernay appeared to take in the scene for just a split second, and as if remembering what he’s all about, turned around to celebrate with his teammates. As he returns to the Cotton Bowl for the final time in his Texas career, his confident humility and voracious competitive spirit can be traced back to the place where he first made a name for himself. Just 25 miles northeast of Fair Park
lies Sachse, Texas, where Duvernay grew up with his twin brother, Donovan, now a defensive back for the Longhorns. From a young age, the Duvernay twins grew up competitive by nature. The two battled in video games, basketball, (where Devin claims he won most of the games), school and in whatever else they could challenge each other at. From the age of 4 when he first hit the football field, Duvernay could not stand to lose. Losses in peewee football would send him home crying. The fire that drove the 5-year-old to tears continues to burn to this day. Senior wide receiver Collin Johnson said that after his team beat Duvernay’s in a friendly game of trash can basketball early in the season as a part of
Family Friday — a weekly tradition the team participates in — Duvernay didn’t say a word to him for the rest of the day. “He’s a competitor, he’s a fighter, he just cares about football and his teammates,” Johnson said. “Honestly, that is the most competitive guy I’ve ever been around in my life.” Duvernay’s almost business-like demeanor has guided him throughout his playing career. After his freshman year at Sachse High School, he was asked to change positions to receiver. He ended up as the No. 5 receiver in the 2016 recruiting class and committed to the Longhorns after flipping from Baylor. Yet his start at Texas wasn’t easy. Unsurprisingly, Duvernay didn’t take well
anth
Senio cross touch LSU
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Friday, October 11, 2019
hony mireles
to playing for a losing team. H e
/ the daily texan file
or receiver Devin Duvernay ses the goal line for one of his two hdowns in Texas’ 45-38 loss to in Week Two.
stuck through a coaching change and a limited role in his first two years, growing into a bigger role as an outside receiver in his junior year. Heading into his senior year in Austin, he was slated to start on the outside. A
day before fall camp started, the surest hands on the team, He’s added about 15 pounds wide receivers coach Drew his peers have taken notice. and over 100 catches since Mehringer called him in and “I haven’t even seen him that day. He says he’s now a asked if he could slide over to drop a ball in practice,” sophsmarter football player and the slot. omore safety Caden Sterns has a better understanding of Duvernay’s answer said. “The dude is very discithe game than ever before. was simple. plined. He’s in and out of his The same Duvernay that “I said, ‘I’m all in.’” routes, he’s fast, he’s got all refuses to back down from What some may see as a the tools, he’s strong, so when challenges and changes, that setback or a slight by the you tackle him, you’ve got said he hates to lose more coaching staff, Duvernay has taken in stride. Heading into the Longhorns’ matchup with West Virginia, Duvernay led the country with 9.8 receptions per game. While the routes and assignments have changed from the position he played in the past, so has Duvernay. But his approach hasn’t changed. He’s still the same competitor with the same spirit that drives him. “He’s taken it as a challenge,” junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger said. “Unjoshua guenther / the daily texan file derstanding that he Trying to keep his balance, senior receiver Devin Duvernay looks to break a wants to contribute as tackle in the Longhorns’ 36-30 victory over Oklahoma State in Week Four. much as he can his senior year. That’s the competitive nature about him.” to bring some type of punch than he enjoys winning, that Duvernay said he always to it.” is trying to win every game — knew once he got his shot, Now four years retrash can basketball or othwherever it may be, he would moved from that first score erwise — will do his best to take advantage. However, against Oklahoma, Duveradd on to a legacy that began don’t mistake his self-asnay has gone through vast in the end zone of the Cotsuredness with arrogance. changes. He’s no longer ton Bowl four years ago. This His confidence is quiet, catching vertical routes from time, with years of experience almost unassuming. He Buechele, but instead is under his belt, he’ll know doesn’t try to call attention hauling in option routes exactly what to do when he to himself, but now-known as and slants from Ehlinger. gets there.
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Friday, October 11, 2019
BIG 12 3. BAYLOR BEARS Baylor is still undefeated. The Bears and junior quarterback Charlie Brewer walked over Kansas State using a balanced rushing attack. Big plays helped Baylor get the ball down the field and run Kansas State out of the building. It’s time to take Matt Rhule and the Bears seriously.
7. WesT VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS The Mountaineers clearly had the matchup against Texas circled, but the outcome didn’t go as planned for West Virginia. They were able to keep it close for a majority of the game, but they couldn’t stop the fourth quarter onslaught the Longhorns brought on. Still over .500, they will try and rebound against Iowa State this week.
1. OKLAHOMA SOONERS
POWER RANKINGS By Donnavan Smoot
|
@Dsmoot3D
For a quick moment in the first quarter, Kansas looked like it would give Oklahoma a game. The Jayhawks scored quickly and then proceeded to allow 42 points. Oklahoma once again reminded the conference how potent their offense is. With an easy day at the office, Oklahoma moves on to to the Cotton Bowl to try and get revenge for last year’s defeat at the foot of then-freshman kicker Cameron Dicker.
2. TEXAS LONGHORNS Texas went back to work against West Virginia last week. After a slow start, the Longhorns exploded in the fourth quarter. Four interceptions along with freshman quarterback-turned-running back Roschon Johnson and sophomore offensive lineman Samuel Cosmi’s trick plays allowed Texas to get past the Mountaineers. Junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger and Co. travel to Dallas to face their true rival, Oklahoma.
4. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
5. IOWA STATE CYCLONES
6. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS
Despite a promising start to the season, Oklahoma State already has two losses in conference play. The game plan was simple for the Cowboys: Get the ball to redshirt sophomore running back Chuba Hubbard and get out the way. Although talented, Oklahoma State is still figuring out how to put all the pieces together.
The up and down season continues for the Cyclones. Iowa State bounced back from the heartbreaking loss to Baylor with a dominant win over TCU. The two losses they’ve suffered have come by less than a field goal, showing that they can compete with anybody. The next step is getting wins against top teams.
The Red Raiders got back on track after back-to-back losses. Texas Tech’s offense looked more like themselves, putting up 45 points on the scoreboard. Junior quarterback Jett Duffey had a day with 424 passing yards and four touchdowns. With sophomore quarterback Alan Bowman out for several weeks, Duffey’s performance provides some hope moving forward.
8. TCU HORNED FROGS After a three-point loss to SMU three weeks ago, TCU was able to blow out Kansas. However, they couldn’t keep the momentum going against Iowa State. The Cyclones put up nearly 50 points against the Horned Frogs. TCU couldn’t find rhythm, but found another loss in their record. Luckily, they get to play Kansas State next week.
9. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS Still winless in conference play, the Wildcats were blown out at home by the explosive Baylor Bears. Moving the ball wasn’t an issue for Kansas State, it was just putting the ball in the end zone where the Wildcats struggled. They’ve now lost back-to-back weeks and are trying to regain control before their season spirals out.
10. KANSAS JAYHAWKS Kansas had Oklahoma in the first half ... of the first quarter. The Jayhawks looked competitive for the first few minutes, but were ultimately overpowered by the Sooners. They’re still searching for their first conference win, but the moral victory will have to do for now. Kansas remains in the cellar of the Big 12 until Les Miles and the Jayhawks can prove otherwise.
Hook ‘Em Horns! 93%
of Longhorns make arrangements to get home safely if they drink. @UTBruceTheBat 2019 UT Austin National Social Norms Center Survey
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by the
numbers By Clark Dalton
UT ou W: 911 L: 371 T: 33
W: 899 L: 325 T: 53
red river record:
ut wins-62 ties-5 ou wins-47 national championships:
UT: 4 OU: 7
UT
45 ou 45 ut
UT: 8 OU: 6 longest win streaks
OU
33 52
largest margins of victory in the red river game
points in the red river game:
ut: 2049 ou: 2031
nfl draft picks:
All time Record:
@Clarktdalton1T
the college football landscape. These elements add even more intensity to an always fierce matchup. The rivalry has been played 114 times. During that time, Oklahoma and Texas have established themselves as two powerhouses. So, it is fitting to see how both teams stack up heading into this year’s game and how each compares in by the numbers.
1st round NFL Draft picks:
J
unior quarterback Sam Ehlingher is bringing the Longhorns back, and Oklahoma has dominated with yet another transfer quarterback on a Heisman trail. This sets up the 2019 Red River Rivalry to be another classic. This year both teams are ranked highly in the AP Poll, giving the matchup major implications that could set the tone for the Big 12 and the rest of
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Friday, October 11, 2019
texan
staff predictions marcus krum
wills layton
donnavan smoot
myah taylor
stephen wagner
alex briseÑo
clark dalton
daniela perez
cameron parker
winner
Oklahoma
Texas
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Texas
Texas
Oklahoma
score
42-38
35-31
45-39
45-38
42-38
45-38
42-37
45-43
34-30
leading passer
Jalen Hurts
Sam Ehlinger
Sam Ehlinger
Sam Ehlinger
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts
Sam Ehlinger
Sam Ehlinger
Jalen Hurts
x-factor (player)
Kenneth Murray
Devin Duvernay
Keaontay Ingram
CeeDee Lamb
CeeDee Lamb
CeeDee Lamb
Devin Duvernay
Roschon Johnson
Jalen Hurts
player with longest play
Charleston Rambo
Roschon Johnson
CeeDee Lamb
CeeDee Lamb
CeeDee Lamb
Devin Duvernay
CeeDee Lamb
Brennan Eagles
CeeDee Lamb
mvp
Jalen Hurts
Sam Ehlinger
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts
Cameron Dicker
Sam Ehlinger
Jalen Hurts
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Friday, October 11, 2019 heisman
continues from page
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an opportunity for a fresh start. This year’s matchup is a golden opportunity for Hurts to add to his Heisman statement, as Texas is Oklahoma’s only currently ranked opponent remaining on its schedule. But on the opposing sideline is junior Sam Ehlinger, Texas’ best quarterback since Colt McCoy, hungry for a Heisman moment of his own. Get ready for a shootout in Dallas.
Joe Burrow Quarterback, LSU
LSU still hasn’t been tested since its Week Two trip to Austin, and it’s shown in its final scores. This season, behind the largest dark horse in the Heisman race, LSU and Burrow have transformed the Tiger offense into an unstoppable machine. Just ask Texas about third and 17. Burrow has racked up more than 1,800 total passing yards and has yet to finish a game with a completion percentage under 70%, all while becoming LSU’s first Heisman-hopeful quarterback since JaMarcus Russell more than a decade ago. But the Tigers welcome the Florida Gators to Death Valley this week for another top-10 matchup. Sam Ehlinger Quarterback, Texas
It wasn’t pretty, but Ehlinger managed to get the
job done in Morgantown during his second trip. The Longhorns struggled early on against the Mountaineers, and regularly called on Ehlinger to bail them out in the first half. Ehlinger answered the call time and time again during the Longhorns’ 42-31 victory over West Virginia, despite turning in his least impressive performance of the season — like Hurts. Saturday was the first game this season Ehlinger hasn’t thrown for at least three touchdowns, and he completed just over 50% of his passes. The junior also threw his second interception of the season. But last week is behind Ehlinger. Oklahoma stands in front of him Last year’s showdown with the Sooners was Ehlinger’s debut party, proving to Longhorn fans that Texas was back, and this time was different. Last year’s win against Oklahoma spurred the Longhorns to their first 10-win season since 2009 and brought college football relevance back to Austin, something they hadn’t done since the last decade. But enough about last year. This year’s showdown is the biggest matchup between the two schools since 2008, with both schools ranked inside the top 15 and touting Heisman-caliber quarterbacks. If last year’s game set any precedent, the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry is wild, unpredictable and fun. This year should be no different.
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