Double Coverage Volume 5, Issue 14 by The Daily Texan

THE DAILY TEXAN PRESENTS:

Dec. 3, 2010

Vol.5, Issue 14

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

The season is over — here’s how it happened | page 8

Friday, December 3, 2010

theLINEUP page

4 14

junior achievers Leadership was clearly lacking in 2010; combine that with a lousy record, and a few Longhorns are eager to step up for next year.

draft cards An unusually poor season for Texas hurt the professional draft stock of the Longhorns’ upperclassmen, but four defensive players stand out.

teary reunion Friends and former colleagues Bo Pelini and Bob Stoops meet in the Big 12 Championship Saturday, renewing the Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry.

Cover photo: Corey Leamon, above: Caleb Bryant Miller| Daily Texan file photo

Texas defensive back Aaron Williams returns a punt against Texas Tech on Sept. 18. Williams, a junior, could declare for the NFL draft in April, although a down year for the Longhorn defense might have hurt his standing.

he said it...

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Report card HEISMAN watch GAMEStoWATCH Big 12 NORTH notebook

11 - PoweR RANKINGS 15 - Future PlayerstoWATCH 15 - Big 12 south notebook

Editor’s note

‘‘

on page 5

There’s no question the team comes out next season with a fire and a passion from day one that Texas has never seen before.” — Sam Acho, Texas defensive end

The Daily Texan’s Double Coverage is printed before every Texas football game.

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Double Coverage Editor……………Will Anderson Design Editor…………………….Mustafa Saifuddin Photo Editor..................………....Derek Stout Associate Design Editor..................Martina Geronimo Associate Photo Editor......................Peyton McGee Copy Editors.............Reese Rackets, Austin Meyers .................................................Sydney Fitzgerald Daily Texan Sports Editor………………Dan Hurwitz Writers……...................................Sameer Bhuchar, ..........................Alexandra Carreno, Austin Laymance, ......................................................Jordan Godwin, …………………........Laken Litman, Jonathan Parrett

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Coveted recruits, rising sophomores bring hope to 2011 to join soon-to-be sophomores Trey By Laken Litman Hopkins, Paden Kelley and Thomas Daily Texan Staff In the wake of a disastrous 5-7 Ashcraft, the line looks stout. As far as offensive playmakers season, there’s a glimmer of hope go, running backs Cody Johnson for next year. Why? Because Texas is bursting and Fozzy Whittaker will be seniors next year and head coach Mack with young talent. The Longhorns have 22 verbal- Brown will probably keep them at ly committed recruits for the 2011 the top of the depth chart unless class thus far. Most touted is Mal- Malcolm Brown and redshirt freshcolm Brown, a 6-foot, 220-pound, man Traylon Shead prove they’re five-star running back from Cibolo better. And they just might be. Not one runSteele High School ning back rushed outside San Antofor over 600 yards nio. He’s ranked in the 2010 season, as the nation’s top running back and Not one running back and only Johnson had at least one the No. 1 overall rushed for over 600 game over 100. recruit in the state yards in the 2010 Shead was redof Texas. season, and only shirted to give Then there’s Jaxon Shipley, youngJohnson had at least him an extra seas o n a t Te x a s . er brother of forone game over 100. Shead, a 6-foot-2, mer Texas receiv210-pound back er Jordan Shipley. from Cayuga, TexJaxon is about the as, is the state’s allsame size as his brother was coming into college time leader in career touchdowns (6’0”, 170 lbs.), but he’s expected to (141) and is second all-time in be quicker and more developed in rushing yards (10,291) at the high school level. his route running abilities. Receiver Mike Davis will only Texas is also looking forward to the arrival of offensive linemen improve from his impressive year. Christian Westerman, the No. 1 re- He is third on the Texas freshman cruit out of the state of Arizona, single-season record list with 47 and Sedrick Flowers, the top guard receptions for 478 yards and two touchdowns. He also became the in the country. The offensive line was inexperi- third player in school history to reenced this year, especially after se- cord multiple 100-yard receiving nior starters Michael Huey and games as a freshman. Kyle Hix got injured. But with Westerman and Flowers on their way HOPE continues on page 5

Caleb Bryant Miller | Daily Texan Staff

Texas defensive backs Aaron Williams, left, and Blake Gideon are both juniors. If the two return next season, they will form the backbone of an experienced senior class.

Juniors could fill leadership void By Laken Litman Daily Texan Staff Leadership was a key ingredient missing from this year’s 5-7 football team. Senior defensive end Sam Acho had it — he owned up to mistakes, tried to fix them, led by example on and off the field, called team meetings — but one player isn’t enough. So where was everyone else? Sometimes young guys are afraid to take on leadership roles because they don’t want to step on the seniors’ toes. But maybe that was where the problems started. Besides Acho, the senior class was not a group that knew how to lead. The underclassmen could have done more. Earlier in the season, head

coach Mack Brown reminisced about past leaders he’s had at Texas. One of his favorite stories happened during pre-game at the 2008 Fiesta Bowl before the team played Ohio State. Brown was worried his players didn’t have enough of an edge and left them alone in the locker room to figure things out before kickoff. “I heard all this ruckus and I turned to [strength and conditioning coach Jeff Madden] and I say, ‘Jeff, something’s happening in there, go see what’s going on. It sounds like a fight,’” Brown said. “So he goes in and walks back out with a smile on his face and he says, ‘Uh, no coach, it’s Roy [Miller]. He’s just getting everyone ready to play.’ He was throwing trashcans and screaming.”

Players didn’t throw trashcans this year. Too often the Longhorns were emotionless. They played recklessly. There was too much entitlement. And no player stepped up and changed that u nhealthy attitude. The one time Texas played with purpose was against Florida Atlantic. Before the game, FAU players were disruptive in the north end zone, talking smack while the Texas players were praying after running out of the tunnel. That riled the Longhorns up and they played mad the whole game. They also played well. Next year, indifference won’t

VOID continues on page 5

Friday, December 3, 2010

NFL DRAFT By Jordan Godwin Daily Texan Staff

AARON WILLIAMS, CB Class: Junior Height: 6’1” | Weight: 195 lbs. 40-yard dash: 4.47 seconds In 2010: Williams played with toughness, poise and confidence. He man-covered two of the nation’s three top receivers Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon and Oklahoma’s Ryan Broyles. He shut down every big receiver he played against and anchored the secondary to a few excellent showings. Outlook: Just like his teammate from last year, Earl Thomas, Williams deserves to get paid. NFL scouts like his quickness, cover skills and the fact that he plays with a chip on his shoulder. His dad is a football coach, so intensity has never been hard to find for Williams.

Just one week into the aftermath of the disastrous 2010 season, players have already started quitting the team. More and more players will undoubtedly transfer to bigger and brighter things, and some will likely make early exits to the NFL. Of our top five potentially pro prospects to be selected in April’s NFL draft, the biggest surprise is that an offensive player made the cut. Here are a few juniors and seniors who could be getting a large check come this spring:

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CURTIS BROWN, CB

Class: Senior | Height: 6’0” | Weight: 184 lbs. | 40-yard dash: 4.42 seconds In 2010: Brown entered the 2010 season with high expectations from his junior year, and he probably could have made a professional team’s roster had he not returned for his senior year. But sadly, Brown’s overall performance will be characterized by his dramatic struggles at punt returner. He muffed punt after punt, once throwing his helmet down and kicking it during the Baylor game, and scouts have questioned his football IQ. Outlook: His raw talent and solid interceptions make him a natural draft pick. In today’s NFL landscape, capable cornerbacks are a rarity, and Brown may have an inside track to a high round pick if that’s what the market is seeking in April.

KEENAN ROBINSON, LB

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Class: Junior Height: 6’3” Weight: 239 lbs. 40-yard dash: 4.62 seconds In 2010: Robinson burst onto the 2010 scene in the opener against Rice with a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, an interception, six tackles and one tackle for loss, and he should have entered the draft then. The rest of his season was stellar, but when you’re part of a defense that gave up the 51st most points, it’s hard to stand out. Outlook: He’s got the NFL strength, but his size doesn’t fit the typical linebacker mold. As the anchor of the Texas defense behind the leadership of Acho, if Robinson leaves, the Longhorns will have a tough time next season.

SAM ACHO, DE

Class: Senior Height: 6’3” | Weight: 260 lbs. 40-yard dash: 4.72 seconds In 2010: Acho was usually the lone star of the defense. He almost always played passionately, even when he couldn’t rally his own teammates. He was the only Longhorn to earn All-Big 12 first-team honors, and he’s apparently one of the 20 smartest athletes in all of sports. But will it translate to the NFL? Outlook: Of course it will. Although he’s still undersized for the average, traditional NFL defensive end, Acho could potentially move to a more linebacker/defensive end hybrid Derek Stout| Daily Texan Staff role in a 3-4 defense like Brian Orakpo did two years ago with the Washington Redskins. It’s unclear whether Acho or Williams would be drafted first, but one of the two will be gone in the first three rounds.

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Get in-depth coverage before every Texas game from Double Coverage

Derek Stout | Daily Texan Staff

Freshman end Jackson Jeffcoat played valuable minutes in 2010 and will be part of a seasoned defensive line next season.

2011: State’s top back coming to UT From page 3 With Davis, Darius White and Shipley out wide, the receiver position is also looking stronger. Defensively, true freshmen were sprinkled throughout the lineup. Defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, linebacker Jordan Hicks and defensive backs Adrian Phillips and

Carrington Byndom were all solid and have a lot of talent. Next season, the interior of the defensive line will be more sound, too, with senior Kheeston Randall, junior Alex Okafor, sophomores Ashton Dorsey and Reggie Wilson and redshirt freshmen Taylor Bible and De’Aires Cotton in the rotation. Things are looking up.

void: Defense full of promise,

offense lacking veteran players From page 3 be tolerated. Not with the new leadership regime. The upcoming senior class is composed of players like defensive backs Aaron Williams and Blake Gideon, linebackers Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho and defensive tackle Kheeston Randall. That group is mature, intimidating, talented and NFLready. Though they took a backseat leadership-wise to Sam Acho this year, these players have a zero-tolerance policy for 2011. “It’s a good thing [we experienced a losing season now] because everybody knows it is not acceptable around here,” Emmanuel Acho said. “So we will make sure to get it fixed and make sure it doesn’t happen next year.” After the Texas A&M game, this group was adamant and eager to get back on the field. “We’re going to start the offseason right away — 6 a.m. Monday morning. At least that’s what I’m voting for,” Gideon said. “I can’t stand the taste in my mouth right now.” On offense, however, leadership could pose problems. This

year there was none, and quarterback Garrett Gilbert did not show promising signs for the future. Most discouraging was that in every post-game press conference, when Gilbert and Sam Acho would be asked a question at the same time, Gilbert would look to Acho to answer first. A true leader would have fought Acho for the spotlight, but Gilbert thought the polite thing to do was let the senior answer. Leaders don’t have to be polite. Running backs Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson and receiver Malcolm Williams need to step up for their senior year. There’s new talent coming in at those positions and if they want to keep their starting jobs, they’ll have to be vocal and lead by example. On his way out, Acho said next year’s team will come back with a vengeance. “It was an up-and-down season,” he said. “But things are looking up. There’s no question the team comes out next season with a fire and a passion from day one that Texas has never seen before.” Maybe trashcans will be involved this time.

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Friday, December 3, 2010

REPORTcard — By Austin Laymance | Daily Texan Staff

Quarterback

C+

Running back

Sophomore QB Garrett Gilbert led the nation in interceptions (17) and had just 10 TD passes in his first year as the starter. But despite Gilbert’s high interception rate, he did manage to produce with his legs — rushing for five scores. Gilbert must develop some chemistry with his receivers and improve his timing to remind everyone why he was such a highly touted recruit.

The days of first-round NFL talent lining up in the Longhorn backfield are long gone as this year’s running-back-by-committee approach failed to establish anything on the ground. Offensive coordinator Greg Davis quickly scrapped his return to the pro-style offense after his tailbacks looked half a step slow and too undersized, not to mention their struggles in pass protection.

defensive line

linebackers

B The worst thing about the Texas defensive line in 2010? It was Sam Acho’s final season. Acho led the defense in sacks, tackles for loss, QB hurries, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries and was a force to be reckoned with all season. The Longhorns’ interior lineman will need to bulk up in the off-season with Alex Okafor moving from end to tackle. If Texas can shore up its run defense up front, things should pick up for the team in 2011.

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B+ Keenan Robinson held his own and battled through injuries to produce a solid season for the Longhorns. But he and fellow junior Emmanuel Acho need help if Texas hopes to return to elite defense status. The junior duo could be the key to the Longhorns’ success next season, but both must stay healthy and on the field. Texas must find a third linebacker to solidify the defense and stop opponents from running right at the Longhorns.

Receivers

C Without a clear go-to receiver, the Texas offense never had any solid rhythm in the passing game — no Longhorn had more than two TD catches. Dropped passes and poor route running doomed the Texas receivers in 2010 and they will have to put in the extra time on the practice field with Gilbert, or whoever the QB will be, to return the passing game to high-powered levels.

secondary

offensive line

C Texas struggled to control the line of scrimmage and was often overpowered up front, leaving little room for the Longhorns to run. With one of the worst rushing offenses in the Big 12, the line’s struggles were most prevalent in the red zone — promising drives often stalled inside the 5-yard line. Texas must get back to mauling opposing defenses up front if the offense hopes to take off in 2011.

special teams

B-

Interceptions were few and far between for the Texas secondary in 2010, and the Longhorns were often exposed by the high-scoring offenses that roam the Big 12. With juniors Aaron Williams, Christian Scott and Blake Gideon possibly returning for one last hurrah, the Texas defensive backfield should once again be loaded with talent but will need a few young players to step up — perhaps Carrington Byndom or Adrian Philips.

Place kicker Justin Tucker was a pleasant surprise in 2010, converting 23 of 27 field goals and leading the Longhorns in scoring. He also had 17 of his rugby-style punts downed inside the opponent’s 20yard line. But the biggest area of concern for Texas was the return game: With costly dropped punts, the Longhorn returners endured a rough season, drawing the ire of the Texas faithful.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Kellen Moore, Boise St. QB

HEISMAN watch — By Jon Parrett | Daily Texan Staff

Cam Newton, Auburn QB Last Week: (28-27 W @ Alabama): 13/20 passing for 216 yards, 3 TDs; 22 carries for 39 yards, 1 TD Season: 148/218 passing (67.9%) for 2,254 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs; 228 carries for 1,336 yards (5.9 ypc), 18 TDs Stock: Up And the winner of the 2010 Heisman trophy is …

Andrew Luck, Stanford QB Last Week: (38-0 W vs. Oregon State): 21/30 passing for 305 yards, 4 TDs Season: 245/349 passing (70.2%) for 3,051 yards, 28 TDs, 7 INTs Stock: Up Luck may not have much of a shot at winning the Heisman, but he may top Newton in next April’s NFL draft should he decide to leave school.

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Last Week: (34-31 OT L @ Nevada): 20/31 passing for 348 yards, 2 TDs Season: 221/311 passing (71.1 percent) for 3,269 yards, 30 TDs, 5 INTs Stock: Down Moore’s shot at the Heisman evaporated in the Broncos’ overtime loss to Nevada last week, making it impossible for Boise State to get a BCS bowl invitation. The Broncos’ updated bowl projection? The Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Ouch.

Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma St. WR Last Week: (47-41 L vs. Oklahoma): 8 receptions for 105 yards, 1 TD Season: 102 receptions for 1,665 yards, 18 TDs Stock: Same Blackmon had his worst game of the season last week but still amassed 100 yards and a touchdown. If the Cowboys had made it to the Big 12 Championship, Blackmon would have had another game to boost his stats.

Outside looking in: RB LaMichael James, Oregon QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas QB Denard Robinson, Michigan

Wyoming 7 - Texas 34: Another less-than-impressive showing from the offense by putting up another 34 spot, but the defense’s dominance meant good things.

Texas running back Cody Johnson bowls over Nebraska safety Rickey Thenarse on his way to a 46-yard rushing game and the team’s biggest win of the year.

Lauren Gerson | Daily Texan file photo

Jeff Heimsath Daily Texan file photo

Texas’ Marquise Goodwin, right, leaps over a Wyoming defender. Goodwin finished with nine yards as Texas won its second game.

Texas 24 - Texas Tech 14: The first test on the road against a tough opponent turned into what seemed at the time a promising victory.

Texas 34 - Rice 17: Texas’ season opener wasn’t the traditionally dominant thrashing of Rice fans were accustomed to seeing.

Texas 20 - Nebraska 13: Now unranked, Texas had no business beating the No. 5 Cornhuskers who were especially hungry for blood after the 2009 Big 12 Championship. But the 2010 Texas team played the game of its season, a headscratching anomaly that turned out to be one o just two victories in the final nine games.

With Texas up 3-0 in the second quarter, Curtis Brown drops a routine punt inside his own 5-yard line. The Bruins recover, setting up a touchdown that would put them ahead for good as the Longhorns struggled to play from behind. It was a sign of things to come for Curtis and the team.

Malcolm Williams, jumping behind Oklahoma defensive back Aaron Colvin, reaches towards the sidelines for a ball thrown to him. He had three catches but Texas lost 28-020.

Lauren Gerson Daily Texan

UCLA 34 - Texas 12: And boom goes the dynamite. Texas was destroyed by what turned out to be a weak, 4-7 Pac-10 team. The lopsided loss at home was shocking, appalling and unacceptable to most, and for the first time in nearly three years, the Longhorns dropped from the top 10 of The Associated Press poll.

Iowa State 28 umph, fans, p everything w absence of p turned out to

Texas 20 - Oklahoma 28: With the UCLA loss in the past, this r ry game was meant to be the turnaround the Longhorns need Instead, they played good enough to keep the game close and completely blew three chances to tie it at the end.

BAD BREAK

bye

Late in the fourth quarter with Oklahoma 20 yard-line, Soon Landry Jones rolls out to h intense pressure from the Tex Jones loses the ball but it take and a swarm of Longhorns recover the fumble as it drifts Two plays later the Sooners p Williams drops the ball and th

s, e s

With the Aggies attempting to run out the clock, QB Ryan Tannehill bobbles the handoff and fumbles, but the football bounces away from the incoming Texas linemen and Tannehill recovers, ending Texas’ last chance get the ball back and sending the Longhorns home for the winter. Freshman corner Carrington Byndom makes a great play to block a punt in the fourth quarter but the football somehow sticks to his chest and he falls on it, downing the ball at the Aggies’ 9-yard line and ending the Longhorns’ chance to return it for a score. Texas settles for a field goal after three plays to make it 24-17.

Florida Atlantic 17 - Texas 51: After a season of beating themselves up, the Longhorns finally got to pick on a weaker non-conference opponent for one last joy ride.

Derek Stout | Daily Texan file photo

Baylor’s Antoni Johnson intercepts the ball after Texas tight end Greg Smith, far right, couldn’t hold on. It was one of two UT turnovers.

28 - Texas 21: After the Nebraska triplayers and coaches were convinced would be all right. But the downright passion and effort against Iowa State o be the tombstone of the season.

Oklahoma State 33 - Texas 16: The Cowboys were just flat-out better than Texas and everyone knew it.

rivalded. d

Texas A&M 24 - Texas 17: With bowl eligibility on the line, the Longhorns did exactly what they had done consistently all season – choked. If you were one of the few that had stuck around for the end, do you remember how they finished? Texas A&M punted with nine seconds left, and Texas watched the ball sit there as the time expired on the season. Rest in peace.

Baylor 30 - Texas 22: Despite bouncing back to play with more fire than ever before, this loss had people questioning the talent.

Texas 14 - Kansas State 39: For a summary of Garrett Gilbert’s season, check the box score: 32-of-59 passing for 272 yards, 93 rushing yards and a whopping five interceptions.

BAD BREAK

h the ball on the ner quarterback his right under xas front seven. es a terrible hop are unable to s out of bounds. punt, but Aaron he loss is sealed.

BAD BREAK

DOWN GOES TEXAS

2010 was a case of déjà vu for the Longhorns. But instead of looking like its 10-win 2006 incarnation, which was also coming off an appearance in the national championship, Texas saw flashbacks of 1997. The Longhorns lost to Baylor, Oklahoma State and UCLA for the first time since ‘97. It was also the team’s first losing season since that fateful final year under John Mackovic. The Longhorns suffered some unlucky bounces, lackluster individual performances and questionable coaching calls plus the usual gamut of referee blunders, blown leads and missed opportunities. While the team wants to put the experience behind it, fans are sure to remember the first year Mack Brown didn’t win 10 games, especially if it becomes a trend. The season might be over, but that only means we have to wait nine months until the team returns to the field.

BAD BREAK

After a Kansas State touchdown, the Wildcat snapper sends the football over the holder’s head only for it to take a peculiar bounce into the hands of the kicker, who runs it into the end zone for a 2-point conversion. Texas falls behind 39-0. Tamir Kalifa | Daily Texan file photo

No. 11 James Kirkendoll drags a few Aggie defenders with him as he runs downfield. Kirkendoll caught a game-high seven balls but Texas failed in its comeback effort.

Friday, December 3, 2010

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GAMEStoWATCH — By Jon Parrett | Daily Texan Staff

No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 19 S. Carolina 12-0 (8-0 SEC) Last game: 28-27 win @ Alabama

9-3 (5-3 SEC) Last game: 29-7 win @ Clemson

No. 21 Florida St. vs. No. 15 Virginia Tech 9-3 (6-2 ACC) Last game: 31-7 win vs. Florida

10-2 (8-0 ACC) Last game: 37-7 win vs. Virginia

No. 9 Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Nebraska 10-2 (6-2 Big 12) Last game: 47-41 win @ Oklahoma St.

10-2 (6-2 Big 12) Last game: 45-17 win vs. Colorado

No. 2 Oregon vs. Oregon St. 11-0 (8-0 Pac-10) Last game: 48-29 win vs. Arizona

5-6 (4-4 Pac-10) Last game: 38-0 loss @ Stanford

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Auburn survived last week’s Iron Bowl against Alabama, after Cam Newton led a second-half charge to top the Crimson Tide. Auburn’s secondary was shredded, giving up almost 400 yards and two touchdowns. But the Tigers did what it took to win and only surrendered three points after halftime. Newton has all but accepted the Heisman trophy, and with another Superman performance could come even closer to one of the best seasons in college football history. This will be South Carolina’s first trip to the SEC championship game, and the Gamecocks will look to make it to their first BCS bowl with a win. Running back Marcus Lattimore is having an outstanding freshman campaign with 17 touchdowns. Lattimore is South Carolina’s workhorse, but it’s just as important he gets touches to pace quarterback Stephen Garcia.

Florida State is in the ACC championship game for the first time since 2005, the game’s inaugural year. Quarterback Christian Ponder has played almost mistake-free since missing the Nov. 13 win over Clemson, but it’s their defense that has the ‘Noles rolling. During their three-game win streak, the Seminoles haven’t allowed more than 16 points and are ranked No. 11 in the country in scoring defense. Virginia Tech can move one step closer to capping off a fine season that could not have started more horribly, after following a loss to Boise State with a loss to James Madison. Virginia Tech has since rebounded, winning 10 games in a row to capture the ACC Coastal division. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor has led the resurgent Hokies, throwing for 2,258 yards and 20 touchdowns with only four interceptions.

The Sooners’ victory over Oklahoma State last week was enough to put them ahead of the Cowboys in the BCS poll and so they’re heading to another Big 12 Championship. Quarterback Landry Jones is quietly having an impressive season, throwing for 3,947 yards and 34 touchdowns. The matchup to watch in this game will be Oklahoma wide receiver and Biletnikoff Award finalist Ryan Broyles against Nebraska cornerback and Thorpe Award finalist Prince Amukamara. It’s Nebraska’s final game in the Big 12, and the Cornhuskers have a chance to win their first conference title since 1999. Quarterback Taylor Martinez missed last week’s game against Colorado and is day-to-day with ankle and toe injuries. Cody Green will start if Martinez can’t play, but it’s the Huskers’ run game that needs to be sharp if they want a chance of winning this one.

On paper, it doesn’t look like Oregon State has much of a chance to play spoiler in the Civil War. But college football is played on the field, where pride and rivalries transcend statistics and talking heads. If the Beavers can feed Jacquizz Rodgers the ball throughout the game, they may have a shot at keeping pace with the Ducks. Oregon clinched at least a share of the Pac-10 title after its 48-29 win over Arizona last week, but the Ducks are thinking bigger than just a conference title. The Ducks’ offense looked unstoppable in the second half against the Wildcats, putting to rest any fears that had crept up after a lackluster performance against Cal. Quarterback Darron Thomas threw for three touchdowns for the first time since October and is the key to the Ducks’ success on offense in this game.

Friday, December 3, 2010

BIG 12 North notebook

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— By Sameer Bhuchar | Daily Texan Staff

Improved NU secondary ready for another shot This Nebraska secondary has faced Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones before and won. But in Saturday’s Big 12 Championship, the Cornhuskers will see an improved and much more accurate Jones. “Last year when we played him, he was a young quarterback just learning the system and everything,” said Nebraska defensive back DeJon Gomes. “One of the biggest things we took away from that game is he’s a competitor and he’s going to do the best he can to get his team into a situation to win.” Last year, Nebraska intercepted Jones five times, but Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini could care less about history. “It’s a different time, different place, different offense, new challenges,” Pelini said. “The furthest thing from my mind is what happened in that game last year.” He’s right. This year is much different, and Nebraska’s secondary is even better. Nebraska has put together the second-best pass defense in the country, allowing just 144.75 yards per game through the air. They also have a standout at cornerback, Prince Amukamara, touted as a top-25 pick in the NFL draft once he graduates. However, Jones averages almost 330 passing yards a game; No. 3 in the country. “They have a trigger man who can get the ball to everybody,” Pelini said about the Sooners. “They stretch the field on you. It’s a good challenge for us.” The winner in the battle between passing offense and passing defense is likely to take it all this weekend.

Tigers’ player nominated for national Rudy Award The movie “Rudy” debuted in 1993; the Rudy Award emerged in 2007 for players who bring “something extra” to a team. Missouri linebacker Andrew Gachkar is one of five Big 12 players nominated for the award. The famous nonfiction sports movie is a tear-jerking tale of Rudy Ruttiger’s dream to play football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the obstacles

he had to overcome to achieve it, and Gachkar has had his fair share of obstacles this year. Throughout the course of the season Gachkar had the option of receiving surgery to repair a life-threatening blood clotting problem that required the removal of a rib, or quit football forever. Opting for surgery, Gachkar eventually lost 30 pounds during the recovery process but returned to the field and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention this season. The award committee says the final recipient of the award is one who “best defined what [Ruttiger] refers to as ‘The Four C’s: Character, Courage, Contribution & Commitment.’” The other Big 12 nominees include kicker Alex Henery of Nebraska, linebacker Michael Hodges of Texas A&M, Kansas linebacker Steven Johnson and Kansas State wide receiver William Powell.

Big 12 snubs Buffs’ back in all-conference awards In most cases, a player who averages more than 100 rushing yards a game is going to get major conference recognition. That wasn’t the case for Colorado junior Rodney “Speedy” Stewart. This season, Stewart became the first Big 12 rusher in history to average at least 100 yards per game and not earn even honorable mention on the all-conference teams that were announced Tuesday. Colorado interim head coach Brian Cabral was disappointed and stood by his player. “I’m new at this all-conference stuff, but I don’t know how that happens,” Cabral said Tuesday. “I don’t know how a guy like Rodney Stewart gets left off. Speedy gets my vote, for whatever that’s worth.” Stewart finished the year with 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns.

STANDINGS Big12 North 1. Nebraska 2. Missouri 3. Kansas St. 4. Iowa St. 5. Colorado 6. Kansas

Conf. Overall 6-2 6-2

10-2 10-2

3-5 3-5

7-5 5-7

2-6 1-7

5-7 3-9

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Friday, December 3, 2010

BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS

— By Sameer Bhuchar | Daily Texan Staff

The Bears hit their stride early in the season but fizzled out toward the end. Though their regular season ended on a sour note, they can take solace in the fact that they have a bowl game ahead of them.

Their record may not be as good as Oklahoma State’s or Nebraska’s, but there is no denying that the Aggies ended on a roll. Cyrus Gray will be a legitimate force in whatever bowl game they secure.

Head coach Bill Synder was disappointed with the team’s close call against North Texas last weekend, but with the win the team will possibly be heading to Manhattan, N.Y., from Manhattan, Kan., for a spot in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium.

With Taylor Martinez out, Nebraska used three different quarterbacks to pile up points against Colorado last week. Martinez will be back for the Big 12 Championship and Nebraska will give Oklahoma a run for its money.

The Buffs’ final stint in the Big 12 certainly wasn’t what they expected, but the future Pac10’ers have a bright future ahead of them with a growing class of young talent.

Oklahoma State had a chance to secure the Big 12 South but faltered against Oklahoma’s superb offense. Now the Cowboys have to sit at home and watch the conference title game.

The effort against Texas A&M was valiant, but losing at home to your in-state rival and missing a bowl game is unacceptable by Texas’ standards. Expect some big changes to be made before next season.

The Missouri defense showed the football world how good it is the past two weeks. The Tigers have only given up seven points in their last two games and head into bowl season looking primed for victory.

The Cyclones had arguably the conference’s toughest schedule. Despite missing a bowl game, Iowa State looks poised to secure one next year.

Texas Tech had a nice win over a faltering Houston team. Taylor Potts threw the ball well and the Red Raiders finished the season strong. They were clearly the leaders of the conference’s second-tier teams.

Boy, that win against Georgia Tech in week two is even harder to believe given the utter disappointment of a season the Jayhawks had. Turner Gill has a number of decisions about his team’s approach heading into next season.

The Sooners make the jump to No. 1 after offing the Cowboys in the annual Bedlam rivalry. Oklahoma has hit its stride at the right time and is prepared for payback against Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship.

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Friday, December 3, 2010

Big 12 rivals to meet for last time By Alexandra Carreno Daily Texan Staff Rivalries are known for transcending the years, moving from generation to generation, always circled and starred on calendars. For one historic rivalry, surviving the years proved too difficult. Once upon a time, Nebraska and Oklahoma were rivals. Those were the golden years of the Big Eight conference, the 70s and 80s, when the Cornhuskers and Sooners went head to head in annual battles. But the Big Eight became the Big 12 in 1996, and Nebraska and Oklahoma weren’t always playing

each other. Separated into different divisions, the old rivalry slowly faded away, periodically renewed in interdivisional games and conference championships. So with Nebraska bidding adieu to the Big 12, what better time for one last iteration of this historic rivalry? “Couldn’t be better. It’s really exciting,” said Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops. “I grew up watching the series like everyone else. The tradition, the history, the rivalry. To be a part of it in this situation is really special.” To y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n s ,

Saturday’s Big 12 Championship at Cowboy’s Stadium in Dallas will decide who wins the conference and a date in the Fiesta Bowl. Most will not understand the magnitude and finality of Saturday’s Nebraska-Oklahoma matchup. But older generations will understand, perhaps as they remember Nebraska’s Johnny Rodgers returning a punt in the 1971 game dubbed “Game of the Century” or when the Sooners won in the final minutes, under Coach Barry Switzer, by a count of 21-17 in 1980. “Back in the day, I guess it was a big game,” said Rex Burkhead , Nebraska’s sophomore running. A big game it was; back then, every Nebraska-Oklahoma game was big. The Husker and Sooner nations share a history. In essence it has always been a rivalry about conference championships. At the feud’s peak, from 1971-1988, neither team was ranked lower than No. 11 in The Associated Press poll with just two exceptions. The winner of their annual Thanks-

Sue Ogrocki | Associated Press

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops calls out to his team. The Sooners will play Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship on Saturday giving-weekend matchup went on to claim the old Big Eight conference’s berth in the Orange Bowl 14 times. Together in the same conference since 1928, the two teams have survived many changes — from the Big Six to the Big Seven, then the Big Eight and, finally, the Big 12. But as the Big 12 split into North and South divisions, the two teams saw less and less of each other. After this season Nebras-

ka is joining the Big Ten, leaving behind Oklahoma and its other competitors. “It’s just fitting it’s us two here at the end,” Stoops said Sixty minutes are all that remain in this historic rivalry. In the last Big 12 championship game at least for the time being, it seems only fitting that Nebraska and Oklahoma get the chance to settle the old question once and for all: crimson & cream or scarlet & cream?

Friday, December 3, 2010

BIG 12 South notebook

FUTURE

PLAYERStoWATCH — By Austin Laymance | Daily Texan Staff

— By Alexandra Carreno | Daily Texan Staff

OU linebacker leads team into Big 12 Championship

Injuries bothered Oklahoma’s Austin Box over the last three years, but the junior linebacker never lost his determination — a determination that has helped him make big plays and tackles in his team’s quest for the Big 12 title, which the ninth-ranked Sooners will play for this Saturday against No. 13 Nebraska. “Now that he’s back in shape coming off the injury, he’s really done a great job of making some of the defensive calls, checks and alignments,” said Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops. “And he’s played well, tackling and making big plays. It’s been a huge plus for us having him back.” Box has been the Sooners’ starting middle linebacker for the past three games and made seven tackles against Texas Tech on Nov. 13 plus eight tackles last Saturday versus Oklahoma State. Back injuries in early August and again in a Nov. 20 game against Baylor appeared likely to sideline Box, but the Oklahoma native came back stronger each time. Working alongside weakside linebacker and teammate Travis Lewis has been beneficial to both players. “We complement each other,” Lewis said. “We both really know this defense and how to call it. But we can remind each other of little things. Once we help get the defense going and really clicking that way, we can play faster.”

Conference peers decide Gundy’s coach of the year

Mike Gundy proved the doubters wrong. Coaching an Oklahoma State team originally picked by league media to finish fifth in the six-team Big 12 South, he led the Cowboys to their first 10-win season in school history with an offense that ranked second in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total passing yards and offense and third in scoring. On Tuesday, The Associated Press named Gundy the Big 12 coach of the year, as did his fellow conference coaches in two separate polls. “I’m humbled by it, and I think that it’s an award for our coaching staff,” Gundy said. “They’ve had a great year.” Gundy received 12 first-place votes from an AP panel of 20. He is only the third coach in OSU’s

history, along with Jimmy Johnson and Pat Jones, to be honored with the title. “That’s pretty high class,” Gundy said. “Jimmy Johnson won a national championship and Super Bowl championships. Pat Jones won 10 games here [in three seasons]. It’s a good class to be in.” The Cowboys, who finished the regular season with a share of the Big 12 South division title, will find out their bowl destination Sunday.

Nation’s No. 1 receiver is also offensive MVP In a season where heralded Big 12 squads fell and new contenders rose to the top, it is only fitting that once relatively unknown Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon receive The Associated Press’ Big 12 offensive player of the year award. “He grew up and changed after the Cotton Bowl,” said head coach Mike Gundy. “In his mind he had a good feel [that] he could be the next guy.” A panel of 20 voted, with 16 casting their vote for Blackmon. Blackmon led the Cowboys, the Big 12 and the nation in receiving, with 1,665 yards through the air for an average of 151.36 yards per game. He also caught 18 touchdown passes; at least one in every game. “What he accomplished was pretty impressive,” Gundy said. “Not just from a numbers standpoint but from a durability and leadership standpoint.” The sophomore is the first receiver in Big 12 history to receive the award. “I didn’t realize that,” Gundy said of Blackmon becoming the first receiver to earn the honor. “I think it’s pretty amazing what he was able to accomplish this year, and I’m hesitant to say that about players. Blackmon is also on the All-Big 12 first team and a Biletnikoff Award finalist.

STANDINGS Big12 South 1. Oklahoma 2. Oklahoma St. 3. Texas A&M 4. Baylor 5. Texas Tech 6. Texas

Conf. Overall 6-2

10-2

6-2 6-2

10-2 9-3

4-4

7-5

3-5

7-5

2-6

5-7

Jackson Jeffcoat, DL Jeffcoat was the most active freshman defender for Texas, starting two games and making an impact during his time on the field. The Plano-native led all freshmen in tackles for loss (6), sacks (2.5), QB pressures (7) and was the only newcomer to recover a fumble in 2010. But Jeffcoat’s inconsistency — a problem for the entire Texas defense — kept him from taking the next step. Expect him to have a strong showing in the spring and establish himself on defense. An ankle injury limited his opportunities to gain valuable game experience in his first year wearing burnt orange. He missed games against Iowa State, Baylor, Kansas State and Oklahoma State, in which the defense allowed consecutive 100-yard rushers and gave up on average nearly 143 yards per game on the ground. Jeffcoat was surely missed by the Longhorn run defense and must stay healthy to return the Texas defense to elite status.

Carrington Byndom, CB

Lauren Gerson | Daily Texan Staff

Byndom improved as the season progressed, with his biggest game coming when the Longhorns needed it most against rival Texas A&M on Thanksgiving. He finished his freshman campaign with an exclamation point — four tackles, a forced fumble and a blocked punt against the Aggies. The Lufkin product made his presence felt on special teams that night, shifting the momentum in the Longhorns’ favor with big plays in the kicking game and leading all freshmen in special teams tackles. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp regards Byndom as one of the freshmen who have made the most progress in 2010, and the cornerback should have an expanded role next season with the departures of seniors Chykie Brown and Curtis Brown opening the door for a new wave of defensive backs. As long as Byndom continues to familiarize himself with Muschamp’s defensive philosophies and study the conference’s high-octane offenses, he should be a key to the next Texas secondary. He’s shown the ability to make the sure tackle and has instilled a sense of trust in the coaching staff.

Mike Davis, WR Davis was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise pedestrian Longhorn receiving corps, and the freshman from Dallas should step into a much larger role in 2011. Davis had a breakout game early in the season, establishing himself as a playmaker with a seven-catch, 140yard game in the home opener against Wyoming — including a 45-yard TD grab. But Davis also showed he could handle the tough road environments of the Big 12, hauling in 11 passes for 109 yards at Kansas State. The Texas coaching staff sees Davis as a slot receiver — perhaps to fix the lack of receptions in the middle of the field in 2010, which sustained the offense in years past. He’s proven himself on the college level, but the most important thing Davis can do this offseason is establish a strong rapport with quarterback Garrett Gilbert.

Jeff Heimsath | Daily Texan Staff

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