1
THE DAILY TEXAN PRESENTS
SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
VOL. 8, ISSUE 5
LOSING THE MAGIC page 12
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2 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
2
THELINEUP 3
Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan Staff
Greg Robinson looks on in his second debut as Texas’ defensive coordinator, the first one coming in 2004. The Longhorns allowed 272 rushing yards in a loss to Ole Miss last week. Cover photo: No. 1 Mike Davis / Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan Staff
PREVIEWS&NOTEBOOKS 10 14 16 19 20 22
4 6
SANDERS STEPPING UP
After serving a one-game suspension for an offseason arrest, Kendall Sanders has the playmaking ability Texas has missed without Daje Johnson and possibly Mike Davis this week.
DOING MORE WITH LESS
Bill Snyder doesn’t get the blue-chip prospects Mack Brown does, but is 2-7 against the embattled Brown. His Wildcats are looking for their sixth straight win over the Longhorns.
NO EXCUSES
Kansas State linebacker Tre Walker said Texas “laid down” against the Wildcats last year. The Longhorns haven’t done much on defense since then to prove him wrong.
KEYS TO THE GAME MATCHUPS BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS GAMES TO WATCH PLAYERS TO WATCH HEISMAN WATCH
THE DAILY TEXAN PRESENTS
SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
VOL. 8, ISSUE 5
Double Coverage Editor........Christian Corona Design Editor...........................Natasha Smith Photo Editor............................Elisabeth Dillon Writers..................................Garrett Callahan ..............................................Peter Sblendorio ................................................Evan Berkowitz .................................................Chris Hummer ............................................Cameron Kubena ....................................................David Leffler ....................................................Wes Maulsby ...............................................Darren Mitchell ...............................................Stefan Scrafield ....................................................Matt Warden ..............................................Rachel Wenzlaff
8 11
K-STATE’S TWO-QB SYSTEM
Texas will face two quarterbacks this weekend -- one is a junior college national champion and the other is the type of dual-threat quarterback that has given the Longhorns so much trouble this year.
RUNNING OUT OF TIME
The seniors on this year’s Longhorns team went 5-7 as freshmen. If they don’t turn things around soon, they’ll go down as the first senior class to not play in a BCS bowl in a decade.
EDITOR’SNOTE With a new defensive coordinator on the sideline, Texas got the same result it did the week before -- a loss. Ole Miss “only” ran for 272 yards as Bo Wallace led the Rebels to a 44-23 win over the hapless Longhorns, who were held scoreless in the second half. Texas’ inability to stop the run and establish a decent ground game on offense leaves it at 1-2 for the first time since 1998, Mack Brown’s first year on the job. This year might be Brown’s last if Texas loses to Kansas State and falls to 1-3 for the first time since 1956.
3 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
3
ENTER THE
SANDMAN Sanders productive after suspension, stepping up in Daje Johnson’s absence
By Garrett Callahan @callahangarrett
Associated Press
DOWN,
Set,
Last June, wide receiver Kendall Sanders received word that he would play one less game than most of the rest of his Longhorns teammates this season. After being arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in April, Sanders was suspended for the season opener against New Mexico State, placing the sophomore in a challenge to catch up to his teammates. The Athens native is stepping up to that challenge.
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“We’re excited about him [Sander], what he is doing,” head coach Mack Brown said. “[He is a] big, strong guy with the ball in his hands.” As a freshman, Sanders played in 11 games as a backup wideout. He caught two passes for a total of 15 yards. As a sophomore, however, Sanders has already surpassed his first-year accomplishments. The 6-foot receiver has 91 yards off 11 receptions in his first two games, well on his way toward having a
SANDERS page 5
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4
Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan file photo
Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder celebrates with his team following the Wildcats’ 42-24 win over Texas last season. The victory gave Snyder’s squad a Big 12 title.
Snyder doing more than Mack Brown with less By Chris Hummer
Daily Texan Sports Editor @chris_hummer
Mack Brown and Bill Snyder are two of the winningest all-time coaches in the FBS – Brown is No. 10, Snyder is No. 35 – but the pair has found their success is opposite fashion. Brown’s best seasons have been spearheaded by an
award-winning quarterback, a la Vince Young or Colt McCoy, and a talented core. His most successful teams (2005 and 2009) were stocked full of four- and five-star recruits, many of which went on to play in the NFL. Snyder, on the other hand, found his success in a different way. At Kansas State, he’s taken an underwhelming national brand and molded
the teams into successful entities. Actually, he’s made this transformation twice. Kansas State hired Snyder in 1989 to change the culture at one of the consistently worse teams in college football. His first season the Wildcats won a single game, but 10 years later Snyder had flipped the script and Kansas State turned in an 11-1
season. Snyder retired in 2005, and before his final game the school offered to name the stadium after the coach – now known as Bill Snyder Family Stadium. But Snyder wasn’t done altering the direction of the Wildcats program. In 2009, following four years of underwhelming results, Kansas State reached out to Snyder to guide the
school again. Snyder delivered. He took a five-win team in 2008, and four years later had vaulted the Wildcats to the verge of a national championship appearance. Perhaps most impressively, in both of these instances, Snyder elevated the program with mid-level and undervalued talent. He didn’t benefit from top-level recruits.
Instead, he molded the players into a real unit, a hardnosed, mistake-free group based off his personality. Many of these players came from the junior college route and a lot from the small high school ranks, but Snyder enabled it all to gel. Both Brown and Snyder are highly successful,
SNYDER page 16
5 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
5
SANDERS continues from page 3 breakout season. “He’s an extremely good player,” fellow wide receiver Jaxon Shipley said. “He’s got a lot of intangibles. He’s an extremely fast guy. He’s got long arms and can jump really high. He’ll go get the ball and attack it.” Sanders’ appeal stems from his versatility and ability to do make things happen after he catches the ball. He is currently one of the team’s leaders in kick returns. Against Ole Miss, the receiver returned one of his four returns on the year for 51 yards, bring his season total to 108 yards so far. Other than that, Sanders, who says his favorite TV show is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, is always a part of the play giving 100 percent. “[He is] not just catching the ball but blocking and effort outside,” co-offensive coordinator Major Applewhite
A CLOSER LOOK AT KENDALL SANDERS REC
YARDS
STARTS
2012 Season
2
15
0
NMSU (suspended)
0
0
0
BYU
4
36
1
Ole Miss
7
55
1
2013 Season
11
91
2
said. “Obviously his ability to run after the catch too. Whether it be a screen or playaction pass, he does a great job of running after the catch.” Sanders’ teammates added to that praise. “He’s going to give 100 percent every play,” Shipley said. “If he doesn’t have the ball he’s always blocking and doing the best job he can.” Texas lost its star running back and wide receiver when Daje Johnson left the Longhorns’ loss to BYU earlier this month. In addition,
Mike Davis was injured in last weekend’s game against Ole Miss, which proved a chance for Sanders to step up in their places. Sanders’ ability to play where needed and ability to give a full effort has given him applause from those around him. “I respect Kendall a lot,” Shipley said. “Him being a guys who has stepped into the role of outside receiver, he’s stepping up and making plays. I think he’s earned the respect of a lot of guys on the team.”
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Tre Walker right to accuse Texas of laying down By Christian Corona Double Coverage Editor @ChristianC0rona
When asked if he thought there is a Big 12 team out there that can run the table in conference play, Chris Whaley hesitated. Hesitated like so many of his fellow Longhorns defenders have done on the field this year. Hesitated like his teammates on the other side of the ball when trying to run the ball in the second half of last weeks’ 44-23 loss to Ole Miss. Hesitated unlike his head coach when, after that defeat, he adamantly claimed the season salvageable if Texas wins the Big 12. Mack Brown has beaten the we-can-win-the-Big-12 talking to point into the ground like BYU and Ole Miss have beaten his Longhorns into the ground the past two weekends. Yet when thrown a softball question about if a team in the conference can beat the other nine Big 12 squads this year, Whaley hesitated. “I don’t know,� Whaley said eight seconds after the question was asked. “There’s a lot of good teams in the Big 12.� Instead of immediately responding by saying Texas can win its next nine games, even if nobody but him believes it, Whaley took eight seconds to claim he wasn’t sure. Unsure like when the
Texas sometimes lets their name get them in a pickle.
—Tre Walker, Kansas State linebacker
undisciplined and underachieving Longhorns defense faces the zone read that Kansas State is sure to run this week. When asked about Texas’ effort in last year’s loss to Kansas State – who visits Austin this week – Wildcats linebacker Tre Walker did not hesitate, saying the Longhorns “laid down.� “Texas sometimes lets their name get them in a pickle,� Walker told me at Big 12 Media Days. “We don’t have the players [Texas does] but, at the end of the day, we fight.� Fight – that’s not something the Longhorns have done much of on defense the last couple weeks. Texas has done nothing to refute Walker’s comments, which he has since apologized for but nonetheless remain true. A quarterback less than a year removed from ACL surgery ran for 259 yards and three touchdowns against Texas two Saturdays ago. “He’s not here with us every day,� senior linebacker Jordan Hicks said of Walker, who, like Hicks, missed
Illustration by Alex Dolan / Daily Texan Staff
Kansas State’s Big 12 titleclinching win over Texas last year with a knee injury. “He doesn’t know. Anybody who’s not around us has their own opinion and that’s his
opinion. We’re not worried about him.� The Longhorns allowed a school-record 550 rushing yards in that 40-21 defeat, cutting that number
in half the following week as they surrendered 272 rushing yards in a 44-23 loss to Ole Miss. If that’s what they’re calling progress, the Longhorns
have no chance at winning the Big 12 this year. That doesn’t mean they won’t have a chance to beat
BIG 12 page 17
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7 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
7
Estelle, Flowers showing promise on O-line By Peter Sblendorio @petersblendorio
The Longhorns offensive line suffered two considerable blows last Saturday when senior right guard Mason Walters and junior right tackle Josh Cochran left the game against Ole Miss in the first half after sustaining injuries. Walters (knee) and Cochran (shoulder) each entered the week listed as questionable for Saturday’s Big 12 opener against Kansas State. While the Texas coaches remain hopeful that both veteran linemen can suit up against the Wildcats, they realize that neither should be expected to play the entire game. Sophomores Sedrick
Flowers and Kennedy Estelle filled in admirably against Ole Miss after Walters and Cochran went down, and they both figure to be a major part of the game plan again this week. Co-offensive coordinator Major Applewhite said that while both Flowers and Estelle have room to improve, he expects each to step up again this week when needed. “We’ll need both of those guys to step up and play well for us Saturday night against a good defensive front,” Applewhite said. “They did some good things. Obviously there’s going to be some plays you want back in the game, but overall I thought Kennedy and Sedrick did some really good things when they’re in there.”
Head coach Mack Brown listed Estelle as the starter at right tackle on the depth chart on Monday, while Flowers remained behind Walters at right guard. That said, both should receive considerable playing time this week, and senior left guard Trey Hopkins is excited to see what the sophomores can do. “We’re upset whenever one of our starters goes down but I’m excited for guys like that to get an opportunity to play,” Hopkins said. “I think they both stepped up pretty good. They’re both young and haven’t played that much in game situations, especially Kennedy. I think he’s really working hard this week in practice to really pinpoint what he needs to get
better with.” With the offensive line potentially losing the experience of Walters and Cochran this week, sophomore running back Johnathan Gray believes it is up to the Longhorns’ veteran starters to limit mistakes on the field and help ease Flowers and Estelle into the lineup. “With those guys down, we have to do a better job of being more focused and have less mental errors when they get hurt and new guys come in,” Gray said. “We definitely have to get the job done and can’t lose a step.” Regardless, Hopkins remains optimistic that Walters and Cochran will line up to his right on Saturday, and he believes they are doing everything in
Kennedy Estelle
Sedrick Flowers
their power to play against Kansas State. “I’m very confident that they’re going to do whatever they need to do to get back on the field,” Hopkins said. “I know they’re very dedicated to doing whatever they need to. They both love playing this game they wish they were in the game with us last
week. I know they’re going to fight as hard as they can and do whatever’s in their will to get back out there.” If they remain inactive, though, the Longhorns believe both Flowers and Estelle are highly capable of filling the void, and they do not expect the offensive line to miss a beat.
Sophomore tackle
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8 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
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Waters, Sams present different kind of challenge By Evan Berkowitz @Evan_Berkowitz
As if one quarterback wouldn’t confuse Texas enough already, the Wildcats plan on using two this weekend. Junior Jake Waters and sophomore Daniel Sams will share the duties at quarterback this week at Texas, just as they have done all season. And they both like to run. Last week, they combined to rush 20 times for 151 yards while throwing just 12 times for 127 yards. Up to this point, Waters has been the No. 1 guy while Sams has been the backup. However, with the way Texas has handled the run, many expect to see a whole lot more of Sams than in past weeks. No one knows how Kansas State will use them this weekend, not even their head coach. “There are certain things that you would like to be able to do, and you have a plan in place, but that will be dictated by the University of Texas as much as anything,” Bill Snyder said. “Any opponent has the ability to take away what they want to take away and force you to do some other things. So how we utilize each of the two quarterbacks is dependent on what the University of Texas does.”
JUCO Transfer – Jake Waters The Texas defense couldn’t stop a junior college transfer last week. But it can redeem themselves this week. Just like Ole Miss’ Bo Wallace, Kansas State’s Jake Waters took the JUCO route, won NJCAA Player of the Year and led his team to an undefeated, championship season. While at Iowa Western Community College, Waters threw for 39 touchdowns with just three interceptions while breaking Cam Newton’s NJCAA record for completion percentage his sophomore year, so like Wallace and Newton, he moved up to FBS. But in his first year playing against better competition, it hasn’t been smooth sailing, as he has thrown five picks in three games. “The defenses are just a lot better from top to bottom,” Waters said. “You have got your pick of who you want to throw to in JUCO but here you cannot force stuff and make a play every single time.” Waters’ problem with forcing things has been his only real problem thus far, though. “I think he has played well with the exception of five interceptions,” Snyder said. “Those things were very, very costly.” Excluding those five
Charlie Riedel / Associated Press
Kansas State quarterback Daniel Sams runs the ball for a touchdown during the first half of the game against LouisianaLafayette on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Manhattan, Kan.
interceptions, he has been extremely productive, completing 68.6 percent of his passes. While Waters is mainly a passing quarterback, he is a sneaky runner.
“Waters is an underrated runner,” Snyder said after Waters ran for 74 yards against UMass last week. But most importantly for Kansas State, Waters has accepted
and embraced the two-quarterback system. “[Snyder] has been pushing all of the right buttons so far with us,” Waters said. “We are ready every play
whether he is calling my number or Daniel [Sams]’ number. Coach Snyder knows what it takes to win
K-STATE page 19
NEXT ISSUE OCTOBER 3
Texas vs. Iowa State
9 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
9
e Horns have yet to prove they can beat Wildcats By Sean Frye
The Kansas State Collegian Sports Editor @SeanEFrye
Since 2004, the Texas Longhorns have won a BCS national championship, appeared in another one, won two Big 12 titles, seven bowl games and 92 games. But in that span, they haven’t beaten the K-State Wildcats. You have to go back to the 2003 season to find a time when the Texas Longhorns upended the Wildcats. In that game, then-Texas quarterback Vince Young led the Longhorns to a 24-20 win in Austin. Ell Roberson was still the quarterback for K-State and Darren Sproles, who had 128 yards in the game, was still carrying the load. Since then, K-State is 5-0
against Texas. Guys like Colt McCoy, Brian Orakpo, Jamaal Charles, Jermichael Finley and David Ash have been unable to overcome Bill Snyder’s Wildcats. Mack Brown, the head coach at Texas who is squarely on the hot seat after a 1-2 start this season, is just 2-7 against K-State since taking the job with the Longhorns in 1998. What’s eye-popping about the Wildcats’ five-game win streak against Texas though is that three of the five games have been blowouts. In the three games played since 2010, K-State is averaging 32.7 points per game against the Longhorns while Texas is averaging just 17 against the Wildcats. In 2007, 2010 and 2012, the Wildcats bested the Longhorns by scores of 41-21, 39-14 and 42-24,
respectively. Arguably the best of those three wins came last year, when K-State sealed up a Big 12 championship with a home win over the Longhorns that sent the fans onto the field. The streak got started in 2006 when Ron Prince, then in his first year as head coach at K-State, beat then-No. 3 Texas, 45-42. In that game, quarterback Josh Freeman had three touchdown passes on 269 yards passing. Two of those touchdowns and 123 of those yards went to wideout Yamon Figurs. That win, along with the 2007 win over the Longhorns, in which Jordy Nelson had 116 yards receiving and two total touchdowns, ended up being far and away the best wins of Prince’s threeyear tenure in Manhattan. Overall, the Longhorns
have struggled against KState more than almost any other team in college football. Among teams that have faced the Longhorns at least 10 times, the Wildcats are one of just three teams to have a winning percentage above .600 against the Longhorns. Vanderbilt and Notre Dame are the only other two teams to accomplish that feat. Simply put, the Longhorns have historically struggled against K-State. Bill Snyder knows that discipline and quality coaching beats fivestar talent, and he’s found a way to do it time and time again for the Wildcats. Now, as Texas is reeling from a 1-2 start this season, the Wildcats will start its Big 12 title defense against a team that is pretty used to leaving the field as the losers after facing K-State.
FBS TEAMS VS. TEXAS (minimum of 13 seasons playing each other) OPPONENT Kansas State
RECORD 5-8
WIN PERCENTAGE .385
LSU
9-7-1
.559
Oklahoma
59-43-5
.575
Colorado
11-7
.611
Arkansas
56-21
.644
SMU
47-22-4
.671
Houston
16-7-2
.680
Nebraska
10-4
.714
Missouri
17-6
.739
TCU
61-21-1
.741
Baylor
74-24-4
.745
Texas Tech
47-15
.758
Rice
71-21
.763
Oklahoma State
23-4
.852
Tulane
17-1-1
.921
$
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409 w. 30th 6 blocks from ut campus
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-wednesday show us your stub & we’ll hook you up! Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan file photo
Kansas State celebrates a Big 12 title-clinching win over Texas in Manhattan last year. The Wildcats’ victory marked their fifth straight over the Longohrns, who have not beaten Kansas State since 2003.
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10 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
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WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE Texas is 0-5 against Kansas State over the last decade and a big reason for this is its inability to win the turnover battle with the Wildcats. Kansas State forced 16 turnovers in those five games, and holds an average turnover margin of 2.6. The Wildcats have been outgained by an average of about 100 yards in those matchups, but their ability to pressure the Longhorns into coughing up the ball allows the defense to dictate the game in more ways than just one. Texas can easily outmatch the Wildcats in yards gained with their rushing attack, but they must make up for the 15.6 points off turnovers average that Kansas State holds over them. If Texas can limit turnovers, a win is within reach.
WIN THE SPECIAL TEAMS BATTLE The Longhorns defense has one noticeable flaw and that is its inability to consistently make tackles. Every week you can almost count on a big play from the other team that swings momentum in its favor. Kansas State has the ability to make those big plays. On average, Kansas State starts every possession about 10 yards closer to the end zone than Texas. Against Texas, Kansas State has started its drives, on average, at its own 39-yard line and averaged 22 yards per punt return and 28.6 yards per kick return during the win streak. While these numbers indicate only big plays on special teams, it’s enough to give Kansas State a big advantage before the offense even takes the field. The Longhorns need to make sure they find the returners in this game to prevent better field position for the Wildcats.
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JUST WIN There comes a point in every tough stretch when a talented team must simply dig deep and win any way they can. Texas has three running backs that could earn starting time at most FBS teams and none of them have been able to find consistent play in the offense. Texas has an experienced defense that has been through both highs and lows and should know by now what needs to be improved. The Longhorns are simply playing soft football and the blame, while a lot of it needs to be placed on Mack Brown, needs to fall on the players for a change. Make tackles, run consistently, and stop making boneheaded mistakes. The Longhorns need to wake up and realize what kind of talent they have before they end up with another disappointing season.
11 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
11
Gray emerging as bright spot in backfield By Peter Sblendorio @petersblendorio
Johnathan Gray entered his freshman season at Texas last year with enormous expectations. Every major recruiting service dubbed him as the nation’s top running back in the 2012 recruiting class – and with good reason. Gray enjoyed a historically productive high school career at Aledo, where he scored a national-record 205 career touchdowns. Additionally, Gray stands second in high school football history with 1,232 points scored, and he finished his career ranked third all-time with 10,908 rushing yards. He won three consecutive Texas 4A state titles, running for 323 yards and a jaw-dropping eight touchdowns in his first state championship game as a sophomore in 2010. While it is unrealistic to expect Gray to replicate these extraordinary statistics at the college level, head coach Mack Brown believes the versatile sophomore running back is already one of the Longhorns’ most important players. “Johnathan’s been unbelievable,” Brown said. “He blocks, he’s tough, he carries it 20 times and he’s the first one out there Sunday sprinting. Most running backs are tired and beaten up. He is a warrior. I really like Johnathan Gray and what he brings to us.” Gray emerged as Texas’ top running back by the end of his freshman season. Despite beginning the year buried behind Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron on the depth chart, Gray finished the 2012 season with a teamleading 701 rushing yards on 149 carries while scoring three touchdowns.
Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan Staff
Johnathan Gray was effective in the first half against Ole Miss before being held to just 16 yards in the second half of the 44-23 loss to the Rebels. He is once again the Longhorns’ leading rusher, and while Texas has been unable to establish an effective running game this season, Gray is doing his part.
Brown named Gray the Longhorns’ starter at tailback to begin the 2013 campaign. Even though he still shares backfield duties with Brown and Bergeron, Gray is elated that his hard work in the offseason coupled with his production last year allowed him to earn the opportunity to be the starter. “It’s a wonderful feeling,” Gray said. “I definitely worked hard for it. Coach, I guess, sees that now.” Gray continues to be effective in 2013, as he leads the Longhorns with 209 rush-
ing yards while averaging 5.5 yards per carry and scoring a touchdown. Co-offensive coordinator Major Applewhite believes Gray possesses a greater understanding of the playbook this season, and he notices the sophomore improving every time he touches the ball. “He’s just got great vision and burst,” Applewhite said. “He’s starting to run through more tackles than in the past. Every carry you see him getting better and just more and more familiar. You see him getting more of a knack for
TEXAS RUNNING BACKS COMPARISON RUSH 2012 2013
YARDS 2012 2013
Johnathan Gray
149
38
701
209
4.7
5.5
3
1
Joe Bergeron
127
19
567
104
4.5
5.5
16
1
6
11
324
15
5.3
5.5
4
0
Malcom Brown
how [each] play works.” Despite his success, Gray realizes that the Longhorns’ offense is at the best when Brown and Bergeron are also producing from the backfield. The sophomore said that each occupies a distinct role in Applewhite’s scheme, and it is up
YPC 2012 2013
to the stable of running backs to continue improving. “Each of us has our own craft that we get better at,” Gray said. “I say I’ve gotten better at everything I’m supposed to do. Those guys are getting better as well. When coach puts you in, you need
TD 2012 2013
to go in, execute your plays, and do what’s asked of you.” Gray seized a leadership role in the Texas locker room at the start of the season. Senior left guard Trey Hopkins said Gray is one of the more
GRAY page 19
Longhorn seniors set for disappointing finish By Garrett Callahan @callahangarrett
Almost four years ago, players offered scholarships by Texas watched the Longhorns compete for a national championship and come one Colt McCoy injury short of winning its fifth national title. A month later, 25 of those athletes signed their national letter of intent to become Longhorns. For 12 of those players, their days in a burnt orange uniform are numbered and they have one final year—specifically nine, maybe 10 games— left to make their mark on the 40 acres.
This senior class, made up of a total of 13 players, including walk-ons, is the only class in a decade at Texas not to play in a BCS bowl. Coming into the season, coaches thought they would use that as a fighting point. “There’s a sense of urgency among this senior class,” former defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said at the start of the season. “They were recruited during the 2009 title game period. That was part of their reason for coming here.” These seniors, however, are starting the season the way they came into their career. The first year these players were at
Texas, the team went 5-7, the first losing season under Mack Brown. Now three games into the season, this current team is closer to another 5-7 season than a BCS game. Nevertheless, this is their last chance to change that and they know that. “I do know how that 5-7 year felt. That was my freshman year,” senior Adrian Phillips said. “We are going to do everything in our power to make sure that we won’t have that season again.” After two straight losses that attitude is starting to show. On Sunday’s practice, senior Trey Hopkins talked to his team to
make sure the haunting memory of 2010 doesn’t become another reality. “All I said was from a senior’s point of view, we have to realize that we have to turn this thing around,” Hopkins said. “Before we know it, this year is going to be over. I think about our time here at Texas, we really have to focus on the now and not look too far into the future. Not look at games in the future and focus on this specific moment. Nothing past this is promised.” Longhorns fans hope that message will work. Co-ffensive coordinator Major Applewhite remembers how he felt when
the time was coming to an end for the seniors he played with. “It always meant something to me when a coach told me you have 44 games left—this is when they used to play 11 in a season—but that guy over there only has 11,” Applewhite said. “You felt a sense of obligation to make sure the seniors went out the way they wanted to go out.” With the current predicament Texas has put itself into with a 1-2 start, the team has a bad taste in its mouth. The 13 seniors on this struggling team can count the number of days they have left and to them they feel like they shouldn’t be
in this position. They have to bring it upon themselves to prove otherwise. “I don’t feel like a 1-2 team at all,” senior Jackson Jeffcoat said. “It’s disappointing that we are 1-2. We don’t like that. We don’t like the taste. We’re mad about it. We know we have a lot to prove.” Simply put, the seniors don’t want to bookend their career at Texas with other losing season, but to do that work needs to be done on this “player-led” team. “[This] is not an unfixable team,” Jeffcoat said. “We can still win the rest of the games. We still can. We still have a lot of football to play.”
SENIOR CLASS RECORDS YEAR
RECORD
WIN PERCENTAGE
BCS BOWLS
2013
23-18
.561
0
2012
35-17
.673
1
2011
38-14
.731
2
2010
40-12
.769
2
2009
45-8
.849
2
2008
45-7
.865
2
2007
44-7
.863
2
2006
44-7
.863
2
2005
45-6
.882
2
2004
43-8
.843
1
2003
41-10
.804
0
2002
40-12
.769
0
2001
38-13
.633
0
2000
31-18
.633
0
1999
30-20
.667
0
1998
31-17
.643
0
(clockwise from left) No. 96 Chris Whaley and No. 44 Jackson Jeffcoat No. 1 Mike Davis No. 23 Carrington Byndom Photos by Elisabeth Dillon Daily Texan Staff
CASE OF SENIORITIS
14
MATCHUPS
14
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
CAMERON KUBENA DAILY TEXAN STAFF
QUARTERBACKS It is hard to replace a Heisman finalist, but Bill Snyder has two guys doing it: junior Jake Waters (the arm) and sophomore Daniel Sams (the legs). The two have combined for 659 total yards and five touchdowns in two games since losing to North Dakota State. David Ash (concussion, shoulder) is questionable for Saturday. Case McCoy has proved capable with an exceptional performance against Ole Miss, but missed opportunities on three straight three-and-outs to end the third quarter reveal needs for improved awareness and consistency.
ADVANTAGE
DEFENSIVE LINE It is strange to think of 272 rushing yards allowed as an improvement. But Texas held Ole Miss to 92 rushing yards and forced a fumble and a turnover-ondowns in the first half. 180 rushing yards and 27 unanswered points in the second half overshadowed that performance. Kansas State lost all four starting defensive linemen from last year. Ryan Mueller leads the line with 15 solo tackles and two sacks. DeAndre Roberts has provided a stout presence at defensive tackle with 13 solo tackles.
ADVANTAGE
RUNNING BACKS John Hubert had his best game of the season against UMass last week, running for 118 yards. Texas is currently giving up 309 rushing yards per game. Sams is also a running threat. The Longhorns used a double tight-end set frequently against Ole Miss that opened up 75 first-half rushing yards for Jonathan Gray. But Gray was held to 16 yards in the second half. Bergeron and Brown combined for just 19 yards on 13 carries and no scores. There have been sparks, but the versatility has been deeply affected by the loss of Daje Johnson.
WIDE RECEIVERS Four different players have touchdown catches of at least 40 yards for Kansas State. Junior Tyler Lockett leads the group with 232 yards and one score. Texas senior Mike Davis is questionable after injuring his ankle in the second quarter against Ole Miss. The Longhorns offense will miss Johnson, so Jaxon Shipley will have to carry the group while youngsters Kendall Sanders and Marcus Johnson must grow up quick.
ADVANTAGE
ADVANTAGE
LINEBACKERS In their second week under new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson, the Longhorns linebackers should improve. But Texas gave up 272 rushing yards last week and is currently the third-worst rush defense in the country. Senior Blake Slaughter has 27 tackles and two sacks on the year and leads the Kansas State linebackers. The Wildcats allow 170 rushing yards per game. But most Texas linemen may be looking out for junior Tre Walker, who commented during the summer that the Longhorns “laid down a little bit” in last year’s game, saying, “That’s nothing to say about their character. That’s just what they do.”
ADVANTAGE
OFFENSIVE LINE Starters Mason Walters and Josh Cochran both were injured in the loss to Ole Miss. Sedrick Flowers and Kennedy Estelle will start in their place if they can’t play. The inability to establish a run game in the second half of last week’s loss to Ole Miss, even with multiple tight ends, doesn’t bode well. Kansas State has only allowed four sacks all year. The Wildcats, who return all five starters on their offensive line, will be tested by a talented Texas defense, but the Longhorns have only two sacks on the year and have given up an average of 309 rushing yards per game.
ADVANTAGE
DEFENSIVE BACKS Kansas State senior Kip Daily had huge game against Massachusetts (2 INTs, one returned 38 yards for a touchdown). As a team, Texas has two interceptions this year. The Wildcats are giving up 181 passing yards per game (27th in FBS) but haven’t faced a decent quarterback yet. Last week, for the first time in 13 games, Texas did not allow a pass of 19 or more yards. The Longhorns held Bo Wallace to 177 passing yards and two touchdowns while containing Biletnikoff candidate Donte Moncrief to 47 yards and a score.
ADVANTAGE
SPECIAL TEAMS Texas senior Anthony Fera has been perfect at placekicker, making all three of his field goal attempts, each of which came last week against Ole Miss. Doubling as the punter, Fera averages 44 yards per punt. But the Longhorns had a PAT blocked and gave up a 73-yard punt return touchdown. Without Johnson, Texas has no legitimate return threat. Kansas State senior Jack Cantele has also not missed a field goal try. Senior receiver Tramaine Thompson has 207 return yards on the year, including a 94yard kick return and 79-yard punt return against UL-Lafayette.
ADVANTAGE
15
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TEXAS T STUDDEIN ME A
16
BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS
16
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
STEFAN SCRAFIELD DAILY TEXAN STAFF
1
OKLAHOMA STATE
2
BAYLOR
3
4 5
Despite plenty of off-the-field distractions, the Cowboys continue to roll. Another blowout victory has the Pokes opening their Big 12 schedule in Morgantown as the conference favorites. With the trip to Austin in November looking like an easy win at this point, Oklahoma State’s toughest road test will likely come in Lubbock against the Red Raiders.
After a week off, the Bears are primed for one last offensive explosion against Louisiana-Monroe before they get into their conference schedule. With their first four Big 12 games coming against the bottom four teams on this list, expect Baylor to continue to light up the scoreboard.
6
TEXAS
7
WEST VIRGINIA
8
KANSAS STATE
9
KANSAS
After three years of mediocre Longhorns football, this was supposed to be Texas’ year. But just three weeks into the season the program is in shambles. The loss to Ole Miss was the second blowout in as many weeks and Mack Brown’s seat is on fire at this point. Brown’s only saving grace at this point would be a Big 12 championship. That journey starts Saturday against Kansas State.
Georgia State might not be the toughest of competition, but freshman quarterback Ford Childress looked good on Saturday and appears to have cemented himself as the starter for the Mountaineers. We’ll see how good West Virginia really is over the next few weeks as they take on Maryland, OSU and Baylor.
OKLAHOMA It looks like the Sooners have found their quarterback, even if it took an unfortunate injury to do so. Junior Blake Bell, who started in place of the injured Trevor Knight on Saturday, threw for 413 yards and 4 touchdowns in a win over Tulsa. With a defense that has given up an average of just nine points per game and a solid running attack, Oklahoma appears to be hitting it’s stride.
Since losing their season opener to an FCS opponent, the Wildcats have looked strong in back-to-back victories. That being said, their schedule has been soft to date. A win in Austin this weekend, which isn’t far fetched given their recent dominance over the Longhorns, would silence the doubters.
TEXAS TECH It wasn’t pretty, but the Red Raiders took care of business against TCU in Lubbock on Saturday. While some poor officiating down the stretch certainly helped, Texas Tech’s defense looked strong throughout the game. With four very winnable games ahead of them, don’t be surprised if the Red Raiders head to Norman at 7-0.
TCU
While TCU’s rough start has been largely overshadowed by the disaster taking place in Austin, the Horned Frogs have been equally disappointing. It appears as though life without quarterback Casey Pachall is proving to be as challenging as expected and now the defense is hurting too. This bye week comes at a good time as TCU looks to right the ship while it still can.
10
The loss to Rice gave us an idea of what to expect from the Jayhawks this year. The defense didn’t look too bad, but the offense was abysmal. If Charlie Weis’ bunch can’t find a way to put up points, it’s going to be a long year in Lawrence.
IOWA STATE The Cyclones remain winless, but did put up a good fight in their annual matchup with Iowa. Nonetheless, the defense looks weak and the offense hasn’t been very impressive either. That combination won’t add up to much in the win column.
SNYDER continues from page 4 renowned coaches. But it’s easy to admit Snyder’s done more with less, especially of late. The 62-year-old Brown leads a Longhorns team with the players every other school desires. A Top 5
recruiting class each season is the norm, and there are less than three coaches in America who wouldn’t trade their team’s talent with Brown’s in a heartbeat. This makes Texas’ recent struggles all the more baffling, and Kansas State’s all
the more impressive. It’s hard to argue against Snyder, a 73-year-old head coach with an abundance of passion and energy, not finding success with Texas’ current roster. After all, these are the same players he likely
targeted at one point, until the looming giant that is Texas strolled into the equation. Kansas State, under Snyder and others, has owned Texas the past decade. The Wildcats are 5-0 against Texas since 2003, an Oklahoma-
like, borderline shocking, statistic. Texas shouldn’t feature that record against anyone, especially a school considered a moderate power in the FBS. Texas has an opportunity to knock off Kanas State this
weekend, steadying a collapsing ship. But it won’t be easy; Snyder has loomed above Brown the past decade, despite the pair’s resources. Now, it could be the influence of one all-time-great that seals the fate of another.
17 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
17
Bet on Baylor, not Texas, this weekend By Darren Mitchell @texansports
The train is coming off the tracks for the Longhorns after being blown out for the second consecutive week. Ole Miss had its way with Texas in the second half, outscoring the Longhorns, 27-0, in the second half. Kansas State isn’t that good, but expect backup quarterback Daniel Sams to get some extra snaps. He’s much more mobile than starter Jake Waters and Texas still hasn’t figured out the zone read offense.
The Longhorns run defense is ranked an embarrassing 121st out of 123 FBS teams. Texas has to win at some point, but I’m not seeing any reason for the tide to turn now. Daje Johnson is still out, David Ash is still questionable, and the defense hasn’t shown any sign of improvement so far under new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson. I’ll take Kansas State to get the victory. Even if the Longhorns win, I don’t see them covering the 4.5 point spread. Kansas State (+4.5) at Texas
Lock of the Week Louisiana-Monroe at Baylor (-28) Baylor takes care of lesser opponents at home. The Bears trounced Wofford 69-3 in Week 1 and in Week 2 blasted a Buffalo team that put up a fight against Ohio State, 70-13. LouisianaMonroe is better than those teams, but not by much. Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty leads the nation in passer rating and running back Lache Seastrunk is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball. The Bears offense should be able to
Longhorns must outrush Wildcats By Ryan Haddox @The_Real_RH
Texas wins if it gets the ground game established. After averaging 3.4 yards per carry in back to back weeks, the Longhorns desperately need to unleash their stable of running backs to salvage the season. The offensive line, which returned all five starters from a season ago, has been a massive disappointment through three weeks and has kept the offense from getting into a consistent rhythm at any point. Johnathan Gray had nearly 100 yards in the first half against Ole Miss, and the Longhorns were able to take the lead into halftime. The second half was a different story, as Gray could only muster nine rushing yards, and the
BIG 12
continues from page 6 Kansas State this week. Texas is favored to beat the Wildcats on Saturday night. Keep in mind that the Longhorns were also favored to beat BYU and
offense dried up. The pattern is disturbing and it needs to be corrected, whether they pass to open up the run or finally decide to punch their opponent in the mouth at the point of contact. The defense has resembled a dumpster fire so far in 2013, and getting a rushing attack established helps sustain drives and keeps them off the field. If Texas can get to around five yards-per-carry on Saturday, they will have a chance to start Big 12 play 1-0. Texas loses if... ...no one on the defensive side of the football figures out how to stop the zone read. A week after giving up 550 yards on the ground to BYU, Ole Miss came to Austin and did their best impression of the Cougars.
While they didn’t eclipse half a thousand like the Cougars did in Provo, they did rumble for 272 yards on 45 carries, good for six yards per carry. As Mack Brown said this week, if Kansas State wasn’t running the zone read before, they’ll install it this week and bring it to Austin. Jake Waters has taken most of the snaps at quarterback for the Wildcats up to this point in the season but backup quarterback Daniel Sams has averaged 7.5 yards on his 21 carries and could fit more of what the Wildcats will try to do to the Longhorns this weekend, which is pound the rock. If Texas once again cannot stop the ground game, Texas will more than likely find itself with its first 1-3 start since 1956.
Ole Miss. But Kansas State, who has won five straight against Texas, is working out the kinks of a two-quarterback system and did drop its season opener to FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. “Kansas State has our
number,” Hicks admitted. Hicks and the rest of the Texas defense are going to have to play a whole lot better than they have the last two weeks if they want to prove Walker wrong. If they don’t do it this week, they never will.
score enough points to cover the spread. Upset Alert West Virginia (+6.5) at Maryland This pick is contingent on which Mountaineers team shows up Saturday. Will it be the one that battled toothand-nail with Oklahoma or the one that narrowly avoided an upset against FCS William & Mary? I’m betting on the West Virginia team that played Oklahoma to show up. Freshman quarterback Ford Childress got his first start last week, replacing
the struggling Paul Millard, and threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns. Maryland has played nobody this year. Their three wins have come against a winless Florida International team that fell to a FCS team in Bethune-Cookman, 34-14; Old Dominion (another FCS team); and a winless Connecticut team that lost to an FCS squad as well (Towson). The jump in competition could catch the Terrapins off-guard, making them prime for an upset. Darren’s record: 7-2 (.778)
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18 18
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
CAPTAIN DURANTULA
Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan Staff or Associated Press
Kevin Durant returned to Texas last weekend to serve as the Longhorns’ honorary captain for their game against Ole Miss. The three-time NBA scoring champion played one year at Texas.
PARTY PERFECT F E AT U R I N G
PARTY TRAYS & BOX LUNCHES
19
GAMES TO WATCH
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
19
RACHEL WENZLAFF DAILY TEXAN STAFF
Michigan St. vs. No. 22 Notre Dame Overall 3-0
Overall 2-1
Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame Saturday 2:30 p.m. TV: NBC
This game could be a close one. Last week the Fighting Irish initially had a tough time against Purdue, a team that should have been an easy win on the Notre Dame schedule, before finally putting them in their place. On the other hand, last week, the Michigan State offense really began to click. Wide receivers were making successful completions and the Spartans may have found a quarterback in Connor Cook. Not to mention, Michigan State holds the title of best defense in the nation with just 177 yards allowed per game, while Notre Dame’s defense has proved to be an issue. Look for wide receivers DaVaris Daniels and TJ Jones to attempt to head the front against the intimidating Spartans defense.
No. 23 Arizona St vs. No. 5 Stanford Overall 2-0
Overall 2-0
Stanford Stadium, Stanford Saturday, 6 p.m. TV: FOX
This Pac-12 matchup has game-changing potential for each team. Arizona State is a stranger to the AP Top 25, gaining their first time being ranked this year, after beating Wisconsin last week. However, if they manage to pull off another upset, the Sun Devils will skyrocket in the rankings and likely knock Stanford out of national title contention. Taking down Stanford’s powerful offense that has scored 34 points in each of its first two games will be one of Arizona State’s biggest tasks this season. The Stanford offense, led by junior quarterback Kevin Hogan, can quickly send the Wildcats back out of national recognition.
Tennessee vs. No. 19 Florida Overall 2-1
Overall 1-1
Ben HIll Griffin Stadium, Gainesville Saturday, 2:30 p.m. TV: CBS
Tennessee is nowhere near their past standard of play, in part because head coach Butch Jones hasn’t been able to find a reliable quarterback. Justin Worley, the Volunteers’ current starting quarterback, hasn’t been aggressive enough in an offense that needs a consistent playmaker. Worley could be replaced in the game against Florida. “Whatever quarterback has the best week of practice is going to be the starter for Tennessee when we play Florida,” Jones said. “If that means a freshman quarterback, that means a freshman quarterback.” Although Florida may not be the best game to experiment with quarterbacks, it will be interesting to see who comes onto the field and how he performs against the Gators that see this game as a must-win because of the damage a loss would do to their ranking.
K-STATE continues from page 8 and we are all for it. I am cheering for Daniel when he is out there and he is cheering for me, so it is good and it is working so far.” Fast QB – Daniel Sams Sophomore Daniel Sams is exactly what Texas doesn’t want to see – a running quarterback. In the two-quarterback system Snyder is using, Sams
has only attempted four passes, mostly serving as the backup to Jake Waters. But he does have 21 rushing attempts and, with the trouble Texas has had stopping the run, Sams will certainly get his fair share of touches. “Daniels will certainly play, that’s quite obvious,” Snyder said. Even Mack Brown knows that they will have to stop
Auburn vs. No. 6 LSU Overall 3-0
Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge Saturday, 6:45 p.m. TV: ESPN
Over their short three-game season, LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger has transformed from questionable to vital. He has far surpassed expectations by completing 65.2 percent of his passes for 797 yards, scoring nine touchdowns and, most notably, throwing no interceptions. Although slightly less impressive, Auburn’s undefeated start has been one of the wonders of the season. However, one of these Tigers teams is going to walk away with their first loss. As of now, it’s looking like it’s going to be the Auburn Tigers. If cornerback Chris Davis, Auburn’s No. 1 corner, remains out with a foot injury, LSU’s receivers will run right over Auburn straight into the end zone.
GRAY
continues from page 11 Sams and the running game that he brings. “Kansas State will run the option,” Brown said. “I told our defense this morning, if they didn’t run it, they’ll put it in. My gosh, we got to stop it. It’s just obvious.” And the Slidell, La. native is excited for the opportunity, one he didn’t have last year sitting behind Heisman finalist Collin Klein.
“In front of 100,000-plus,” Sams tweeted Monday. “It don’t get no better than that. #life at its finest.” But when he steps on the field Saturday night, Sams knows that the defense will be focused on him. “I get excited, but at the same time, Texas knows what we do as a team,” Sams. “They know we are running the quarterback run game.”
Overall 3-0
vocal players on the Texas offense, and he believes that the Longhorns’ players maintain great respect for the running back despite his sophomore status. “Johnathan Gray is a great player and a great person,” Hopkins said. “He’s become a great leader for the offense. He’s been a guy who has really spoken up a lot. Even though he’s not a senior, he’s
led the offense vocally. He’s a great inspiration because he has so much athletic talent but off the field he’s a guy that you can really depend on.” The Longhorns figure to depend heavily on Gray on the field as well for the remainder of the season. While Gray realizes that his high school accomplishments are in the past, a breakout season from the standout sophomore running back would be his first step towards living up to the hype.
20
PLAYERS TO WATCH
20
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
MATT WARDEN DAILY TEXAN STAFF
WR Tyler Lockett (Jr.)
After another week of surrendering big plays and taking a loss, the Longhorns must turn their attention to a team that has beat them in their last five meetings. Kansas State seems to have the blueprint to beat Texas and it will look to utilize receiver Tyler Lockett to amass big yards. Lockett is a small and elusive receiver, the type of player that always gives the Longhorns trouble. Lockett has caught 16 balls for 232 yards and a touchdown this season. Lockett uses his speed and ability to elude defenders to pick up yards after the catch. He currently averages 14.5 yards per catch and Texas will need to keep the ball out of his hands to get some confidence on defense this weekend.
LB Blake Slaughter (Sr.)
Standing under six-feet tall, Blake Slaughter is not particularly imposing at linebacker but his numbers speak for themselves. Slaughter leads the team with 27 tackles through three games this season while adding two sacks. Slaughter fills most lanes when they open up and uses his speed to find the football, wherever it goes. Texas has had a tough time protecting its quarterbacks the last two weeks and if Case McCoy is back under center against the Wildcats, Slaughter will need to be kept in check. McCoy is nowhere near as elusive as David Ash and that could create problems, and worse, turnovers, against a speedy front seven. Look for Slaughter to apply solid pressure to Texas quarterbacks.
WR Tramaine Thompson (Sr.)
Another smaller receiver, Tramaine Thompson can make an impact in the return game as well. Thompson has 10 catches for 187 yards this season and has also returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Kansas State’s keys to victory are usually to win the turnover battle and to outperform its opponent on special teams. In the Wildcats’ victories over the Longhorns, their average starting field position margin is 9.2, which means they generally start almost 10 yards closer to the end zone on every possession. If the Longhorns cannot get a hat on Thompson, he could easily give the Wildcats excellent field position every time he returns the football. If he isn’t covered well on offense, he can break tackles, much like every other team has done against Texas. Thompson will be a big X-factor for Kansas State against Texas. Charlie Riedel / Associated Press
STOCK UP/STOCK DOWN DAVID LEFFLER DAILY TEXAN STAFF
RB Johnathan Gray (So.)
UP
Gray was one of the lone bright spots for the Longhorns in Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss, pacing the offense with 91 rushing yards and his first touchdown of the season. This marks the second consecutive solid outing for Gray, who rushed for 90 yards against BYU last week before Texas was forced to abandon the run after falling behind the Cougars. Although his numbers could be better, he has performed well considering he is playing behind a struggling and industry-riddled offensive line. If the Longhorns can manage to generate any kind of consistent passing attack against Kansas State and force the Wildcats to take a few defenders out of the box, Gray’s numbers should improve.
WR Jaxon Shipley (Jr.)
Like Gray, Shipley has quietly had a couple of solid performances the past two weeks despite Texas’ overall offensive struggles. Although he has yet to reach the end zone, the junior from Brownwood has averaged more than 13 yards per catch the last two games and appears to be returning to form after coming into the season with a nagging hip injury. Regardless of who is playing quarterback for the Longhorns on Saturday, expect them to look Shipley’s direction early and often, as he has been catching just about everything thrown his way.
RB Joe Bergeron (Jr.)
Coming off of a 16-touchdown season in which he averaged 4.5 yards a carry, Bergeron was expected to complement Johnathan Gray’s speed with his bruising running style. Things seemed to be looking that way after he started the year with a solid outing against New Mexico State, rushing for 79 yards on only nine carries. Since then, though, Bergeron has done little to help Texas’ offense, carrying the ball a combined 10 times for 25 yards over the past two games. Although he hasn’t gotten many touches lately, he needs to do a better job when given the opportunity.
DE Jackson Jeffcoat (Sr.)
Following Alex Okafor’s departure for the NFL, Jeffcoat was expected to step up as the leader of Texas’ defense and as a force in opposing backfields. However, through the Longhorns’ first three games, he has been practically invisible, failing to register a sack thus far. Although he did recover a fumble last week when Ole Miss’ Bo Wallace inexplicably dropped the football in the middle of his throwing motion, Jeffcoat is a talented player and leader that Texas desperately needs to start playing well.
DOWN
21
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
NATIONAL NOTEBOOK
21
Bo Pelini apologizes for recently released tirade By Stefan Scrafield @stefanscrafield
Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini’s profanity-laced tirade made national headlines earlier this week and now he’s doing what he can to salvage his image. Pelini, who was recorded criticizing the Cornhusker fanbase, issued a formal apology asking for forgiveness on Tuesday. “I think our fans would understand the situation, the circumstances regarding this,” Pelini said in the Big Ten coaches’ teleconference. “I think that I’ve built enough points with our fans over the last five years… to earn some forgiveness for something that was made in a private setting. I think people will understand this isn’t representative of how I feel.” The administration at Nebraska silenced any rumors of possible disciplinary action on Wednesday when they voiced their support for Pelini and declared the matter closed.
Texas A&M raises record amount in donations It looks like Texas A&M’s first season in the SEC was just as successful off the field as it was on it. This week, the university announced it had raised more than $740 million in donations in the past fiscal year. That number is composed of gifts to the university, private grants and donations to several different university foundations. The total far surpasses rival Texas’ roughly $400 million in donations over the same time period. The funds are already being put to use. The Aggies recently completed a new football-only weight room and athletic nutrition center and have announces plans for a $450 million renovation of Kyle field that will raises seating capacity to 102,500. Ohio State QB controversy a good thing The Buckeyes have a good
problem on their hands. After Urban Meyer’s Heisman candidate at quarterback, Braxton Miller, went down with a sprained knee ligament in Week 2, senior backup Kenny Guiton stepped in and stole the spotlight, throwing for 276 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 92 more in a 52-34 win over Cal last weekend. But with Miller ready to return for the Buckeyes, Meyer has a tough decision to make. Guiton has been nearly flawless since taking over as the starter, throwing for seven touchdowns and just one interception. Miller, however, is coming off a phenomenal season last year and was expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the country this year.
cover up the rape of an unconscious student. Boyd was Vanderbilt’s second-leading receiver last season, hauling in 50 passes for 774 yards and five touchdowns. Originally charged with a felony, the junior receiver plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge in exchange for agreeing to testify against former teammates who were also involved in the campus dormitory rape. Minnesota coach fine despite game-day seizure Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill commended his players and staff for winning on Saturday, despite losing their head coach mid-game after he suffered a seizure.
Vanderbilt dismisses WR Boyd Vanderbilt wide receiver Chris Boyd has been dismissed from the football program after pleading guilty to his role in attempting to
Nati Harnik / Associated Press
Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini addresses a player in the second half of the game against Southern Mississippi in Lincoln, Neb on Sept. 7.
Kill, who has epilepsy, has had multiple seizures while on the sidelines since taking over as head coach of the Gophers in 2011. He says he has never considered
coaching from the press box and continues to have the full support of the administration as he attempts to bring Minnesota football back to national prominence.
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Ohio State quarterback Kenny Guiton runs between tight end Nick Vannett, right, and San Diego State linebacker Nick Tenhaeff during the first quarter of the game on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Columbus, Ohio.
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HEISMAN WATCH
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
WES MAULSBY DAILY TEXAN STAFF
1. CLEMSON QB TAJH BOYD (SR.)
Boyd did not have an easy time early against North Carolina State. But he got the job done in a place that has been a nightmare for highly-ranked teams over the past few seasons. The Wolfpack have a win over a Top 20 team at home in each of the past three seasons and the previous two have been against Top 10 opponents. Clemson began to pull away in the second half with Boyd leading the charge. A road game against NC State is a rough way to start the conference season, but Clemson got the job done and will have a few easier games ahead of it before it faces Florida State at home in what will likely be one of the top games of the season. It wasn’t pretty at times, but road wins rarely are.
2. ALABAMA QB A.J. MCCARRON (SR.)
McCarron led Alabama in its revenge crusade against Texas A&M last week. While Manziel had some of the flashier (and luckier) plays, McCarron got the win and the knowledge that his decisions did not cost his team. In a one-score game on the road, McCarron did not throw an interception while Manziel threw two, one of which was returned for a touchdown. McCarron deserves more consideration than he is getting. He has manufactured game-winning drives even when the Crimson Tide defense is not playing up to snuff. For a guy who may end up as one of the top picks in April’s NFL draft, he is not getting the kind of attention that he deserves. Associated Press
3. GEORGIA RB TODD GURLEY (SO.)
Gurley also had the week off, but will be returning to the field against a North Texas team that has not had a winning record since 2004. The Bulldogs should have an easy time with this one as they continue their recovery effort following the opening loss to Clemson. While the Mean Green won’t be able to provide a whole lot of resistance against Georgia, it will be a good tune-up before facing a resurgent LSU team between the hedges next week. A win there could propel Georgia back into the thick of the national title chase and would cement Gurley’s case as one of the top two candidates heading into October. But that speculation will have to wait; for now, he has to focus on North Texas. On second thought, he probably doesn’t.
Associated Press
4. OREGON QB MARCUS MARIOTA (SO.)
Mariota had his highest completion percentage of the season against Tennessee as the Ducks steamrolled their way to a decisive win. Mariota is leading an Oregon offense that is putting up ludicrous numbers and that will continue to until it faces a team with a pulse. It doesn’t hit the meat of its schedule until October, so for the next few weeks, fans will get to enjoy ogling at the Oregon stat lines as it pummels its opposition. He may have better stats than some of his competition, but the three above him each have a signature win against a legitimate opponent. Until he wills his team to a win the way the top three have, none of his stats will matter.
5. LOUISVILLE QB TEDDY BRIDGEWATER (JR.)
The Cardinals had a tougher time against Kentucky than most expected. Bridgewater had solid numbers but he needs spectacular numbers. And Louisville can’t afford to be beating average teams by 14 points. If it wants to be in the national title hunt, it needs to be better, and if Bridgewater wants to have a case for the Heisman, then he needs to produce. A win is still a win, and it was on the road, but Kentucky won two games last season. Louisville won 11. It can’t be sweating out wins over teams like that. There is no question that both Bridgewater and Louisville have talent, but both will need to perform better if they want to be relevant in December.
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TEXAN STAFF PICKS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
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CHRISTIAN CORONA
GARRETT CALLAHAN
PETER SBLENDORIO
EVAN BERKOWITZ
CHRIS HUMMER
WES MAULSBY
DARREN MITCHELL
STEFAN SCRAFIELD
MATT WARDEN
7-3
6-4
4-6
7-3
6-4
6-4
8-2
7-3
5-5
Overall Record
19-11
21-9
13-17
18-12
17-13
18-12
23-7
20-10
19-11
Kansas State vs. Texas
Texas 34-24
Kansas State 31-17
Texas 35-28
Texas 34-30
Texas 31-24
Texas 28-24
Kansas State 28-20
Texas 27-17
Kansas State 34-17
Boise State vs. Fresno State
Fresno State
Boise State
Boise State
Boise State
Boise State
Boise State
Boise State
Boise State
Fresno State
West Virginia vs. Maryland
West Virginia
West Virginia
Maryland
Maryland
West Virginia
Maryland
West Virginia
Maryland
Maryland
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Michigan State
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Michigan State
Rutgers
Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas
Stanford
Arizona State
Stanford
Stanford
Stanford
Stanford
Stanford
Stanford
Stanford
Missouri
Indiana
Missouri
Missouri
Missouri
Indiana
Missouri
Missouri
Missouri
BYU
BYU
BYU
BYU
BYU
BYU
BYU
BYU
BYU
Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech
North Carolina
Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech
North Carolina
Georgia Tech
North Carolina
North Carolina
San Jose State
Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota
San Jose State
Last Week’s Record
Arkansas vs. Rutgers
Arizona State vs. Stanford
Missouri vs. Indiana
Utah vs. BYU
North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech San Jose State vs. Minnesota
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