Inside Texas 2014 - Oct./Nov.

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OCTOBER/November 2014

It’s Tim e for Okl aho ma!

Texas looks to duplicate 2013 win against the Sooners

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October/November 2014

in this issue Inside the Texas Gameplan |

Boyd How can Texas be successfull against OU? Ian breaks down the matchup

A Debut for the Ages |

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by Ian

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Bill Frisbie

20 years ago James Brown made his first start for the Longhorns.

Stream of Consci__sness |

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Eric Nahlin

Thoughts on this year’s game and what Texas will need to do to win.

Favorite OU Memories |

Mike Blackwell IT staff and subscribers talk about their favorite games from the past. intro by

You Can Go Back Home |

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Mike Blackwell

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Les Koenning and Vance Bedford return to Texas as coaches.

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2014 Roster Table Doing the Right Thing |

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Mike Blackwell

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Are Charlie Strong’s Core Values compatible with winning titles?

2015 Recruiting |

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Justin Wells

An update on how the Class of 2015 is shaping up.

Five Quick Thoughts |

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Justin Wells

A look back at the first four games of the 2014 season

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Publishers -- Michael Pearle, Clendon Ross | Managing Editor--Clendon Ross | Editor-- Mike Blackwell InsideTexas.com Editor -- Justin Wells | Lead Writer -- Bill Frisbie | Contributor -- Ian Boyd Designer/Photographer -- Will Gallagher | Recruiting Analyst -- Eric Nahlin To Subscribe/Customer Service -- Phone: 512-249-8916 | Email: help@insidetexas.com October/November - 2014

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Inside The Texas Gameplan How to Win the 2014 Red River Shootout T exas vs Oklahoma is inevitably the most important game for Texas’ regular season every year. Games later in the season like the 2008 showdown in Lubbock or the 2013 “Big 12 championship game” in Waco only hold serious meaning for Texas if the Sooners are first subdued.

Last season I saw very little chance for a Texas victory over the Sooners, despite a few late trends that ended up being key in a Longhorn victory such as the injuries to the middle of OU’s defense. However, I did some deep thinking and concocted what I deemed to be the best plausible path to victory for Texas. It proved to be the path Texas took in a surprising blowout victory.

We’ll attempt to do this again in 2014, a year in which Longhorn victory seems doubtful but would have huge implications for the Charlie Strong era and the future of Texas football.

October/November - 2014

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an Boyd oyd

by Ian by

Gameplan | Oklahoma Stopping Oklahoma Oklahoma had a stretch from 2009-2013 in the Landry Jones era in which they got away from the running game that produced two 1,000 yard RBs in 2008 and carried them to the national title game.

The Sooners struggled to find TEs to put on the field and made do with that versatile Sasquatch, Trey Millard, occupying the backfield, a lot of spread formations, and some 50 pass attempt games from Landry Jones.

They still won the Big 12 twice (2010, 2012) but they’ve gone back to their former love with this team. The 2014 Oklahoma Sooners are primarily defined by a 21 personnel package and running the dang football with a deep stable of backs that includes 5’11”, 243 pound freshman phenom, Samaje Perine.

From the various formations they’ll make with this personnel, primarily out of the pistol, they can threaten a defense in a variety of ways. They love to run split zone to the right side, where 6’6” 329 pound right tackle Daryl Williams can be found, and with vicious 6’1” 257 pound fullback Aaron Ripkowksi clearing out the backside contain defender to set up a cutback lane for Perine.

They’ll also run power and outside zone with similar ferocity and adept skill in each scheme. Their TE in these sets is the 6’6” 259 pound Blake Bell and the offensive line goes 336-339-286-343-329 as a unit. Despite being the only sub-300 pounder on the team, center Ty Darlington is a savage in his own right who dominated West Virginia’s nose tackles without much double team help in Morgantown.

Perhaps even more terrifying, Oklahoma has started packaging their downhill running game with POP (Play option pass) plays in which Knight has a choice to either hand off on one of these devastating runs or uncork a deep fade or post route to a receiver like Sterling Shephard.

It all comes together in extremely effective fashion on POP concepts such as this one:

Oklahoma POP

Quandre Diggs

Unlike his counterpart Tyrone Swoopes’ teammates, Oklahoma can regularly set him up to make those reads and throws off the run game rather than having to sit back in the pocket and go through progressions as Landry did before him.

When Oklahoma plays both receivers to the same side of the field, Texas has the advantage of sliding Diggs over in the slot since he’s already used to playing there in the nickel packages. Then Texas can play a safety on the opposite edge where teams like to attack with these types of formations. The play of that safety, probably senior Mykkele Thompson, will be key in stopping Oklahoma.

It’ll also be key that Texas’ deep safety is triggering quickly and accurately to help Edmond and the linebackers with the quick throws available to Knight over the middle. Finally, to get the numbers in the box they need to stop the Oklahoma running game will require that Texas play Sterling Shephard in man coverage without safety help, a duty that will probably go to Duke Thomas.

Because of Oklahoma’s play-action and POP passing game that consistently gets him running routes against isolated cornerbacks in open spaces, Shephard is absolutely shredding opposing teams and is on pace for an absurd 1500 yard season.

If the Sooners didn’t have massive and effective blockers all over the field it might be possible to keep safeties back to help limit Shephard’s damage, but their power run game and the way they complement it with their vertical passing game make it exceptionally difficult to get extra help everywhere. You just have to beat them honestly.

There’s no easy answers for Texas except for the cornerback on Sterling Shephard to have an exceptional game, the coaches to mix up who supports against the run and where that support comes from, and for all the players to have an intimate knowledge of the Oklahoma playbook.

Trevor Knight’s accuracy comes and goes but he’s generally very good either rolling out in OU’s play-action game or making the quick reads and throws in their POP concepts. In particular, he’s developed a good feel for throwing fades up for Shepard down the sideline.

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If Oklahoma finds a soft spot in Texas run fits or are able to consistently give Knight clear one-read post snap decisions then they will blow the doors off the Texas defense.

Get Oklahoma in some passing situations and then murky the waters for Knight with diverse play calls? Then things could get interesting.

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Gameplan | Oklahoma Scoring on the Sooner defense Oklahoma has adopted Saban’s 3-4 defensive front, except that while Alabama will shift into a 4-2-5 front against the spread, the Sooners stay in their base 3-4 and play Eric Striker as the nickelback. The design of their front is to control the line of scrimmage, keep things inside of the outside linebackers, and allow the linebackers to play in a broom closet.

If a runner does manage to get outside it usually comes after running into a pile and then attempting to bounce the ball outside where the OU defensive backfield is flowing. Save for runners with absurd acceleration, there’s rarely any room to run the ball against this front.

have to recognize the blitz and do his work from the pocket. If he thinks he can roll out and escape Striker, Tapper, and Grissom in open spaces this game will go terribly wrong for Texas.

The next concern from this look is OU’s safety blitz, a nefarious scheme in which they bring Striker off the edge but then also bring Hayes behind him:

Oklahoma SS Blitz

Out on the edge, Stoops plays strong safety Quentin Hayes, a coverage specialist, behind the mobile and versatile Striker like this:

Oklahoma Base

Hayes has already collected several sacks and some forced fumbles this season from this blitz. When an OL is already very concerned with handling Striker’s speed off the edge it becomes pretty easy for Hayes to come off his hip completely unblocked and take QBs out.

Last but not least, there are the times when Oklahoma plays Cover-4 behind this and drops both Hayes and Striker into coverage while still bringing Grissom off the opposite edge: From here Oklahoma has three main options to throw at Texas. The first is to bring Striker off the edge, perhaps with fellow outside linebacker Grissom coming off the opposite edge, and Hayes covering the slot receiver in man coverage:

Oklahoma Weakside Blitz

Oklahoma Double Edge Blitz

This has to be concern number one for Texas, the occasions in which Oklahoma brings both of their pass-rushers off the edge. There’s no rollout or escape route for Swoopes in these circumstances, he’ll just

If Hayes and Striker show blitz off the edge here, it could be very easy for Swoopes to panic and get locked in on trying to throw the ball out quick against the grain of the anticipated blitz…right into Hayes’ waiting hands. Or perhaps, Swoopes realizes his mistake late, gets caught without a plan and is then sacked by Grissom coming unexpectedly off the opposite edge.

Now, the Oklahoma defense does have some weaknesses. It’s hard to

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Gameplan | Oklahoma run the ball on this front but their corners can be beat over the top, their free safety doesn’t have enough range to help out on the sidelines, and an accurate QB with a cannon like Swoopes can find throwing windows underneath the three-deep DB umbrella that OU prefers as a base defense. Their linebackers are rangy, but some of them keep their eyes on the QB and can be manipulated by a savvy QB.

Key Player for Texas | Tyrone Swoopes

The key is that Swoopes has to recognize the different Oklahoma blitzes, the OL has to be able to give him some time, and Texas receivers need to damage with the ball after the catch. Texas also has to find some ways to give Swoopes a shot at beating the Oklahoma CBs over the top, neither of them have the recovery speed to consistently handle Marcus Johnson in isolation.

Texas is going to have to run the ball, but the only way to anticipate the Longhorns pulling that off is if Swoopes first proves that an aggressive run front will result in Oklahoma’s secondary getting ripped apart with precision strikes.

If Texas can force Oklahoma to leave Hayes deep to help stop the passing game perhaps the run game can get going. Here’s the only catch, Texas can’t do this by going spread. There’s simply no chance that Texas manages to protect Swoopes from four-receiver sets against the myriad of blitzes Oklahoma can bring from their nickel defense.

Key Player for OU | Eric Striker

Swoopes’ ability to put the ball in tight windows all over the field is Texas’ one great advantage on offense in 2014. As it happens, it’s probably what Oklahoma is most vulnerable to, provided that you can block their pass rush.

Texas needs Swoopes to make big throws from the pocket, to get out on the run and fire deep balls ala the 2013 Alamo Bowl, and to place the ball in places to allow Texas’ receivers to become play makers in the open field with the ball in their hands.

If Texas beats Oklahoma in the 2014 Red River Shootout, it will be because Swoopes seized control of the future of the program with a breakout performance and made plays in the passing game that put Texas on the scoreboard.

Prognosis

photo courtesy of SoonerSports.com

Texas has a very young and inexperienced OL supporting a very young and inexperienced QB. As it happens, Mike Stoops has the perfect tool for exploiting these shortcomings in the hyper-versatile linebacker Eric Striker.

Striker has been compared to Roy Williams, another Texas-killer, due to his ability to play in space and terrorize the edge like a wild demon. The Sooners prefer to play Striker in open spaces but he could theoretically line up just about anywhere. That means that Oklahoma will fire him at whichever parts of the OL they feel are most vulnerable, and possibly in conjunction with some of their other great pass-rushers.

Texas is going to have to account for Striker on every passing down and make sure that Oklahoma beats them with another player. They very well might, but Texas can’t allow Striker to complete the evil Roy resurrection with another superman play that squeezes the life out of a Texas effort.

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Oklahoma has built a 2014 team that excels at running the ball with a massive OL and a loaded backfield and excels at stopping the run with a physical DL and very athletic LB corp. The Oklahoma nose tackle is probably the best in the conference and his effectiveness is demonstrated in the fact that the Sooners’ top four tacklers are linebackers.

Neither the Oklahoma passing game nor passing defense are elite, BUT they have perfectly schemed their offense to milk their running game into a devastating passing attack. They are also milking their defensive front’s ability to bring destructive blitzes and protecting their DBs from getting targeted by a QB sitting comfortably in the pocket.

It’s more than a little unfortunate that Texas has to play this game after facing Baylor as the path to victory will involve mastering both a complicated game plan as well as understanding Oklahoma on a deep level as the Texas players clearly did in 2013.

Of course, with attentive film study, a diverse game plan, and some lucky breaks there’s always the chance that Texas’ athleticism comes out and allows them to hang around with the Sooners.

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5/19/11 2:17:09 PM

a debut for the ages

photo courtesy of Texas Sports Photography

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by Bill ill Frisbie risbie

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his month marks the 20th anniversary of one of the most improbable Texas triumphs against bitter rival Oklahoma in series history. The contest concluded with what became Sports Illustrated’s choice as the Top Defensive Play of 1994; it started with a Texas quarterback logging his first collegiate start in the biggest game of the year.

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Debut for the Ages But if James Brown had been standing anywhere

number of short passes intended to boost Brown’s

just that moment.”

comfort level.

else along the Texas sideline on October 1, 1994, his Longhorn legacy may never have been estab-

It was also the moment that one of the most

“I didn’t have time to get nervous,” Brown said.

lished.On that sun-splashed afternoon, No. 16 Tex-

remarkable careers in Texas football history was

I didn’t have time to have any bad thoughts. I

as was in a down-to-the-wire contest against No. 4

launched. By the time he was done, Brown would

wasn’t expecting it at all. Maybe that’s what made

Colorado. Midway through the nationally televised

guide Texas to three straight conference titles and

me good that day. I just went out and ran the plays the best I knew how. We kept it simple, but

“I didn’t have time to get nervous,” Brown said. “I didn’t have time to have any bad thoughts. I wasn’t expecting it at all. Maybe that’s what made me good that day. I just went out and ran the plays the best I knew how.”

- James Brown

I think that’s good football when you run simple plays. I was a cocky guy, really. I think all football players are cocky, but a team usually adheres to its coach’s personality. All the guys on the team wanted to be cocky. A lot of guys liked my winning attitude.”

Oklahoma drew first blood, however, scoring early

tilt, a hush fell upon sold-out Memorial Stadium.

re-write school record books for passing offense.

in the second quarter on Jerald Moore’s 23-yard

Starting quarterback Shea Morenz lay on the turf,

For the moment, he was still the back-up -- but

run. Brown threw an early interception, but was

clutching his knee. The San Angelo product was

with an asterisk. Everything that week hinged on

otherwise coolly efficient to finish the first half 11-

Texas’ prize recruit after coach John Mackovic

Morenz’s knee. Texas would drop a heartbreaker

of-13 for 85 yards.

was hired in December, 1991. Many had anointed

that day to Colorado, 34-31, on a last-second field

Morenz, generally considered 1992’s top national

goal. However, the Horns had little time to lick

“It was against a Cover-Two defense, and I got

prep quarterback, as the program’s savior. Now,

their wounds. The annual border war with archrival

lazy. After that first interception, I said to myself,

those hopes were being assisted to the sideline.

Oklahoma was just days away.

‘That was a stupid read. I’m better than this. I don’t have to throw an interception to these guys.’

Mackovic immediately turned and searched for the nearest available quarterback.

History dictated that Brown would view the tilt be-

After that first interception, (wide receivers) coach

There stood redshirt-freshman James Brown.

tween the nationally ranked programs as a highly

Cleve Bryant called me over and said, ‘Calm

partisan bystander. Only one player in the storied

down, James. You’re better than that. You saw the

The Beaumont product enjoyed a noteworthy

archives of Texas football (Andy White, 1966) had

Cover-Two. Why did you throw it?’ I said, ‘I just

high school career but, like back-up John Dutton,

debuted as a starter against Oklahoma. The 18-9

wanted to throw a deep pass.’ After that mistake, I

remained in Morenz’s shadow. The extent of

Longhorn loss that year meant that no Texas play-

had a good game. I settled down. I just took what

Morenz’s injury, that afternoon, was unknown. All

er had ever beaten the Sooners when debuting in

they gave me.”

Mackovic knew was that the game was on the line

the Red River rivalry.

Yet, four Texas drives would stall in Sooner terri-

and the clock was ticking. Mackovic still needed a signature win at Texas against a highly ranked

tory. Oklahoma threatened just before halftime,

Until now.

driving 72 yards to the Longhorn 26. That’s when

opponent. For now, he just needed a quarterback.

“During the pre-game, we all thought Shea was

cornerback Bryant Westbrook intercepted QB Gar-

“I was just the closest person to Coach Mackovic

going to play,” Brown recalled. “He was on the

rick McGee. The turnover was the game’s turning

against Colorado because I was the guy with the

bicycle trying to get warm, even though he didn’t

point, Mackovic later recalled, because another

clipboard,” Brown said. “The other quarterback,

practice all week. I thought they were just saving

Oklahoma score just before intermission would

John Dutton, was somewhere else. He was on the

him. Throughout the week, I never thought I would

have changed the complexion of what remained a

headset talking to the coach upstairs. I had always

start the Oklahoma game. But, on game day, Shea

7-0 toss-up.

thought Dutton and I were equal on the depth

didn’t go out for pre-game warm-ups. He went in

chart. Neither one of us had any game experience.

for a little extra treatment. The rest of the team

“I wasn’t the All-American (high school QB) in the

I guess no one ever thought Shea would get hurt.

went out for warm-ups. We came back in and did

huddle; I was the redshirt-freshman. So, I said,

He was this All-American guy. I just happened to

our team prayer. After the prayer, Coach Mackovic

‘Guys, help me out.’ Chad Lucas was our fullback

be close to the coach at that one time.

said, ‘By the way, fellows, James will start today.’ A

and he was a big help to me. During the Oklaho-

couple of guys were like, ‘Yeah, yeah! That’s what

ma game, a lot of the reason I was so good was

you want. Let’s go.’

because Chad would tell me where the blitz was

“Coach Mackovic grabbed me and said, ‘Get in!’

coming from. I was a freshman who had never

I ran my fake and handed the ball off well. I came back to the sideline and Mackovic said, ‘You did

Offensive coordinator Gene Dahlquist modified

good.’ It was just one play, but I think that made

the Oklahoma game plan just in case Morenz was

me the second-string quarterback in his mind at

unable to play. Early on, Dahlquist called for a

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played, and I didn’t get sacked that game.

“I think my solid play that day got everybody in-

Debut for the Ages

photo courtesy of Texas Sports Photography

volved. Everybody wanted to have some swagger.

intercepted a halfback pass. His 27-yard return set

Allen toward a collision with the 343-pound Clark.

When you think about it, everybody who plays for

Texas up at the Oklahoma six. Brown connected

The two met just outside the goal line.

The University of Texas was probably the best at

with TE Pat Fitzgerald from two yards out on a

his position in the state of Texas. Then they got to

play-action pass to extend the Longhorn lead to

college, and it was like they got their drive taken

17-7 with 13:05 left in the contest.

Clark won.

Allen fell to the turf, just one foot shy of pay dirt.

away to fit in (Mackovic’s) system. I think I gave that drive, or swagger, back to all the players.

The final book on Brown’s debut game stood

The game-saving tackle, forever known as The

Even (Blake) Brockermeyer said, ‘I’m glad you’re

at 17-of-22 passing for 148 yards and one

Stop among Longhorn fans, became Sports

playing. I like it when you’re in the huddle.’”

touchdown, while adding 51 rushing yards and

Illustrated’s choice as college football’s Defensive

another touchdown on the ground. Yet, for all of

Play of 1994.

The Horns opened the second half with an 80-yard

his offensive wizardry, the 1994 Texas-Oklahoma

drive, resulting in Phil Dawson’s 19-yard field goal.

game lives in Longhorn lore because it came

It was just a blessing and a great catapult for

After Texas forced a punt, Brown led the team

down to one of the most crucial goal line stands in

my career. It was just a blessing. It was just a

on a 15-play drive deep into Sooner territory. On-

program history. Texas led 17-10 with 43 seconds

whirlwind. I had a chance to start, and we had lost

second-and-goal from the nine, Brown dropped

remaining but Oklahoma faced fourth-and-goal at

to Oklahoma the year before. No one thought we

back to pass. He looked left before scrambling

the Longhorn three.

would win. All the fans got behind me. The Oklahoma game is the game to win at the University of

through a gaping hole on the right side of the line.

He vaulted over a Sooner defender and dashed

“I was on the sideline thinking, ‘Man, it would be

Texas. I’m thankful that I was in a position to be

into the end zone, giving Texas its first lead with 17

nice if we win this game. I started the game, so it

able to start in that arena. With that being my first

seconds remaining in the third quarter.

would be nice to win it. But it’s not in my hands.’

college game, I didn’t have to look up to anything.

They (OU) called timeout and ran this trick play.”

It was the pinnacle. The media here made it seem like it was the biggest feat in the world. After that

“We had a lot of third-down conversions that game. It was my main goal to focus on third

Specifically, it was a ‘slip draw’ misdirection play.

Oklahoma game, I had the confidence to win

downs. I threw a lot of balls to the flats. When I

Working under center, McGee appeared to run an

every game.”

couldn’t find a receiver, I took off and ran. I’d rather

‘option right’ but then handed back to RB James

get five yards running than throw an incomplete

Allen. For a second, Allen appeared to have a

Texas capped the season with 35-31 comeback

pass or an interception.”

clear path into the end zone. But NG Stonie Clark

against Mack Brown’s North Carolina team in the

had seen the hand-off when a gap momentarily

Sun Bowl, resulting in a No. 18 final finish in the

Oklahoma tried to regain the momentum with

opened between two offensive linemen. Lineback-

AP Poll for the Horns.

trickery on its next possession, but Westbrook

er Robert Reed turned the play inside, redirecting

October/November - 2014

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Stream of Consci

October/November - 2014

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i__sness by eric nahlin

T

he first Stream I ever wrote was after last year’s Red River Rivalry game, hence the absence of the ‘o’ and the ‘u’ in the title. OU sucks, apparently, so it has little utility when paired together, don’t y_ _

think? Last October, after watching a game in which the Longhorns thoroughly outplayed the favored Sooners I had tons of excess thoughts to offer. It was an immensely entertaining game, and a great way for Mack Brown to end his often lopsided series with Bob Stoops.

Oklahoma is now out for revenge. The school from Norman is playing quite well. Texas is not playing winning football, unless you’re measuring against North Texas and Kansas, which nobody is.

This is a tough way for Charlie Strong to enter his first contest in one of the most historic and heated rivalries in the history of the sport. But Coach Strong is no stranger to big games, or Bob Stoops.

STRONG VS STOOPS: A PRECURSOR Longhorn fans will recall the strength of the 2008 Oklahoma Sooners team. In what was one of the greatest games in the history of the rivalry – featuring two of the greatest teams in the history of their programs – Texas defeated OU in a thriller, 45-35. That year, holding OU to 35 points was a feat in and of itself.

The ‘08 Sooners offense was one of the most prolific college football had seen, even though the conference was quite good that year.

Coaches are collusive, sportswriters are mindless and computers are heartless. Despite the head to head victory, OU was awarded the trip to the National Championship where they would play Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators.

Bob Stoops won’t have fond memories of that meeting. Florida’s defense, coordinated by Charlie Strong, looked exactly like the defenses fans want to see at Texas. They were young, fast and ferocious, and of the four units on the field, the Florida defense was the differentiator. Using many of the same looks, and focusing on instilling the same traits as he does to this day, Strong made a name for himself on that night.

Florida won by the score of 24-14. That hardly underscores the quality of performance. Oklahoma had averaged over 60 points per game in their previous six contests. Being held to 14 equates to a shutout. Sadly, Charlie Strong doesn’t have a team with the talent or mindset required to pull off performances like he did on that night. His challenge is now much greater.

STRONG VS STOOPS: LET THE GAMES BEGIN Bob Stoops had Mack Brown’s number in a bigger way than the record indicates, but not quite as much as some of the scores assert. After getting the better of the Texas coaching legend, Stoops now moves on to combat a person he surely respects.

As former Florida defensive coordinators who both experienced success, Stoops will look across the field and see a fellow football man. Football is much more than X’s and O’s. It’s about instilling toughness, physicality and aggressive disposition. These are the things the Florida team in 2008 had and even though that was Urban Meyer’s team, it was Charlie Strong’s defense.

Conversely, Charlie Strong will watch tape of Oklahoma and see many things he wants his team to become; athletic, fast and well-coached. The Sooners

October/November - 2014

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defense plays fast and is opportunistic. The offense attacks every level of the defense and that starts up front with a great offensive line.

2014 OU is in many ways a lesser version of the 2008 team. There’s no Sam Bradford or Jermaine Gresham, but there’s still tons of talent littering the field. Scheme specific talent which has been developed over years. This is what Strong hopes the Longhorn program becomes from top to bottom.

Interestingly, this Longhorn defense is much more experienced than the Gator defense that stymied the Sooners on that January night.

It also doesn’t lack for talent, but it has yet to exhibit the consistent sound play and physical mindset of the typical Strong defense. It doesn’t lack for athleticism, necessarily, but it does lack for cohesion.

As you might imagine, I’m not bullish on the Longhorns’ chances. That’s certainly to be expected when we’re discussing an unranked team playing a top five squad, especially when said unranked team has a green quarterback and offensive line.

PROGRAM DIFFERENCES DEFINED BY ONE POSITION GROUPING Offensive line, it’s kind of a big deal. All too often I hear how Running Back X is terrible!

That’s often, but not always, an argument made out of lack of understanding the importance of line play. The first question is an important one; are there lanes for the running back to actually run through?

The answer for Oklahoma is ‘yes’. For Texas, it’s been ‘hell no’. Earl Campbell doesn’t win the Heisman behind this Texas line. Adrian Peterson would win one behind OU’s.

When recruiting for any position you must look far ahead. A person shooting pool doesn’t look to leave for his next shot. He looks to leave for the third shot at a minimum because shape on the second gets you shape on the third. No position requires forward thinking more than offensive line. The big uglies are the longest to develop in S&C and also on the field. They’re almost always at a strength, quickness and coordination disadvantage upon arrival. When you’re somewhere in the

neighborhood of 6-4, 290 pounds (generic

think of a pass first point guard, but he has

average) those traits take time to develop

enough athleticism to make you pay with his

(many need to reshape their body), as does

feet and run a credible zone read package.

o-line cohesion.

He’s neither accurate nor inaccurate and his

When Mack Brown resigned he left a 2014

touchdown to interception ratio won’t wow

class largely thought to be complete. It

you, but he does a good job of facilitating his

included one offensive lineman; an undersized

playmakers and running the offense on script.

center! That, in a nutshell is what Charlie Strong is up against. Poor roster management

LB Eric Striker, Jr:

at the two most important position groupings

Menacingly active, I’m not sure I’ve seen a

(offensive line and quarterback) were destined

more apropos name for a linebacker. He plays

to fail the Texas coach in 2014, whether it was

in space or blitzes the edge equally well. He’s

Brown, Strong or the ghost of Bill Walsh at the

the type of player who needs to be accounted

helm.

for on every snap. This opens things up

Texas has a makeshift offensive line

for the brothers Stoops to get creative. An

consisting of a left tackle playing out of

example of that is the safety blitz that comes

position, a guard who may or may not play

right off of Striker’s hip. Not. Fair.

but hasn’t shown a whole lot when he has, a green yet promising center, a guard who

RB Samaje Perine, Fr:

should be a depth piece and a quality guard

Imagine a bigger and better Joe Bergeron

miscast as a right tackle. Not surprisingly this

behind a better line than anything Bergeron

lot isn’t getting much push.

ever ran behind. Perine requires angry gang

The same can’t be said for Oklahoma. If you

tackling to get down. Great feet for such a big

want to watch Texas-bred players performing

back.

well on the line watch Tyrus Thompson, Adam Shead and Darryl Williams. They, along with

CB Zack Sanchez, So:

the rest of the line are blowing defensive lines

Decently long and very fluid, Sanchez is

off the ball – and then getting the linebackers.

an excellent cover corner who also breaks

SOONERS YOU NEED TO KNOW QB Trevor Knight, So:

quickly and decisively on the ball. If you’re fearing a deep out being picked you’re in good company.

He’s more of a distributor at this point –

October/November - 2014

19

DT Jordan Phillips, So:

Texas will have to mitigate OU bringing

Positionally the biggest matchup is Texas’

Much more than just a space eating nose

late pressure and using disguises, which is

defensive line versus Oklahoma’s offensive

tackle, but he’s that as well. Phillips moves

very tough for a young offensive line and

line. On paper and on the field, both have the

uncommonly well for being 6-6, 330 pounds.

quarterback. All schools do it, not many have

ability to be great. UT will need a Herculean

With pressure on the edge that will require

anyone the caliber of Eric Striker or Geneo

effort from his front in order to keep this

double teams and Phillips in the middle, it

Grissom. Watson will have to have a plan

one close late in the game. Malcom Brown

will be tough to account for all the Sooner

for this. Tennessee had some success with

and Hassan Ridgeway will have to collapse

pressure. Also, Phillips will make running

the screen game to combat pressure. West

the pocket in order to stop the run and

inside zone very difficult.

Virginia does what it always does and used

hurry Trevor Knight. Knight can be rattled

the quick game. Texas is traditionally a poor

as a traditional drop back passer. Rattled

WR Sterling Shepard, Jr:

screening team but we’ve seen evidence of

quarterbacks make mistakes.

Shepard is the key to the passing game. He

quality quick game execution. That needs

runs every route you’ve seen from Oklahoma

to be employed in heavy but unpredictable

IN CLOSING

receivers throughout the years. He specializes

doses.

After watching a lot of Oklahoma in

in everything from tunnel screens to vertical

Funneling runners inside and tackling will

preparation of writing this I’ve come to the

routes.

be paramount. OU’s staple plays haven’t

conclusion they’re better than I originally

Gulp: I didn’t list a single senior. They may

changed; stretch zone, underneath passing

thought. They play total football – there

have some early NFL draft entries.

and screens. Corners and edge players will

literally isn’t a phase of the game to be

need to squeeze plays towards the middle

routinely exploited. I still think they stumble

of the field where more bodies await. All

at some point (maybe to Baylor at home or

Just as Wheel of Fortune spots contestants

too often we’ve seen OU succeed down

TCU on the road) but I can’t see a way Texas

the R-S-T-L-N and E, the usual givens

the sideline where yards after contact often

trips them up. To keep it interesting into the

certainly apply to this game: no turnovers,

occurs. Duke Thomas and Quandre Diggs are

fourth quarter Texas will have to play mistake

some semblance of a run game, don’t allow

going to have to get off blocks and help in run

free while also being very aggressive in the

big plays, etc. I’ll try and be a bit more specific

support. They have to be physical. Same for

passing game and tackling on defense.

than that formulae.

Mykkele when he’s playing man.

KEYS TO THE GAME

20

inside texas

insidetexas.com

Your favorite “45-35 game. One of my good friends realized when we got to the entrance that he left his ticket in austin. The night before, we talked to some old dude at a bar for like an hour. As my buddy was walking out of the fair grounds, that old guy rolled down the window of his limo and waved him over to say whats up. My friend told him his story and the old guy just gave him his ticket. Saved him from missing one of the best games in series history.”

-- B_Pittenger

8

200

Jordan Shipley’s KR when it was looking like it might be another blowout and then Chris Ogbonnaya’s back-breaking 63 yard run to clinch the 45-35.

22

-- btown4110

inside texas

insidetexas.com

OU memories Memories are like old girlfriends: made more beautiful with the passing of time. Mine is an image as clear as yesterday: sitting in the OU end zone section in 1999, reveling a UT win after the Sooners had taken an early 17-0 lead. I stayed afterwards and watched Texas celebrate, of course - after all of the Okies, who were so happy three hours prior, were gone. Yes, that was a good day…and obviously there are many more of those old girlfriends to remember…

-- Mike Blackwell

xas, but my “I didn’t attend Te was the 2008 favorite memory ioned on the game. I was stat n, and we were George Washingto of the Pacific. I out in the middle c controller, and was an air traffi we had 5 big in our radar room g from the ceilscreen tvs hangin IS equipment). ing (part of our IS e closer to Asia Being that we wer e game came on than the U.S., th in the morning. around 2:30 or 3 xas fans and a A couple of us Te ere already in couple OU fans w game started, there, but as the , saw what was people walked by ed us. We had going on, and join down to airkhakis all the way en fans of either men, some not ev g into the game school, all gettin ng. Man, it was a cheering and yelli great time.”

-- Ash Legend

“1968. James Street, in just his second start, drove UT 85 yards to go ahead 26-20, with only seconds remaining on the clock, hitting several key passes in the touchdown drive. UT’s record was just 1-1-1 going into the game. No team came even close to single digits of Texas the rest of the year. Finished ranked #3 in the country, and were national champs the following season. But the ‘68 team was Royal’s best as judged by how they were playing at the end of the year. First great win using the Wishbone offense, created by Royal and his staff. Was the second win in what would become 30 in a row. Perhaps forever, the Camelot of UT Football.”

-- 30 Straight

October/November - 2014

23

Drive ensdale v a R n o se ,I our hou ble lamp dside ta t mem y room in s e e b m b y oes, to ) m h t in s s n r came ked o otball “My (fi 63. Dad black fo s he clic 9 a d 1 n , te o r a o e s b le -fi Octo om c s. As satin n rday in to Dalla added fr y white tu p d c a a n d S o n fa r a a e d n d n e n th sse ....o ds a et with th uld get o fully dre 4:00 a.m knee pa so we co t of bed, igh and hite helm u e w th o m y e h d n e in it e th p h w k m on ys nts to awa off and ju wore. M ce mask otball pa e covers by the fa rns team white fo g o th n h to d untering g u , e o s n h c k o k e n ic c L k n the igh so houett efore e o il -h .b s s .. lf e d a o le a c r b e e e h it st ta n face steer e my h crisp wh e breakfa ams Nylo ove the pads lik th d b a A ip to h r ls d a a n e r -b -i ap y Ford head nume ouble ished sn at Tomm it on and gh the d orn and h t u h w o u g r t p n o , o th n it L t bed nge relishkfas bably ir. I grab dark ora ....while yer brea was pro a n la h n c io o -p it k t ll s e a tr e u elm rn footb f my d Fair and h ones h hearty, hange fo corner o the State ating wit to eat a ce in exc e g n to d a in e r ip y b id tr tr c m e y ar’s ncu .Id difficult e last ye ed that e y mouth ved sinc y remov ont of m a r tl fr c n d in ta a c k h s lu tI ma y, so I re dogs tha ey o anywa nge jers us corny o m fa would d e xas Ora e th T f , o w t e h d d-n oug front an e, a bran ing the th erals on ht befor e. m ig u n m n a e wed l g e il r th u b ents Dad ckle tw the UT-o day pres ”, so my e white ta th g y ir n b a in r h ly O s e r t er ea 4 in as “Burn 63, we w ne of my umber 2 ht. In 19 en me o e refer to Ford’s n w ig iv r y t g a es of it d m d h a t a m w o h h o Dad yer, T sey in ying s til he g r r n la a je u p v a s e it d in m r n e favo hirts asure n’t fi ny it , and t-s with my it on ma good me ou could ls y r d e , fo s te w t s y to o a te , p d r e ve and those ed into th couch co bric dye back. In got toss of Rit fa sheets, a fs d n ie e o r b ti b c d y o a e c th hit up a con mily tha eriment. tighty-w a e only fa e of my rsey exp th m je o s e ly , b th ll ounding a e b r pro ade fo nge. H ort surr a h p r s r O t a t h c r n e ig r o r Bu me s t t in th st the Texas or e into so r hours ou out in ju e e e w e m w ts a e n c are pair s in th ght my p and one peration bly thou a estine o b d o r ing n p la s c hbor rs. Noth ce in r drawe pot. Neig took pla e l y d ta n it e u v ti m d c a rge ...an All this d sheets e and a la seys...an ook stov r c je g ll in a p otb cam ’ some fo n ritual. ing 11 st boilin ju e ’r e of Wicca and turn W . ld z o it s v r a a r ye Miz K couldn’t but at 10 “Sorry, e place I !” way up, th e e y to B th . y n e a r o ut in the nap our w to see he backed o avigate o I could e s n t W lp a l. e e s h w o k d on B p an d deep in e bac The Cott d nestle ld stay u llet in th , n u a a o t) p , c s s a I 1 a t e y d a r em it, so nua at said ad th Dad mad hes, fru sured D ottles th every Ja ic s b y a w g ll I d , in n fu s a k e y s o p ho ith o da attenby-lo ber (and armed w wn stub in just tw ay much to n o p c r ti b O s ’t u n k h r c A id a a t d eas in d so I et to e of North f those, ry sodas wait to g ttle. arkness e myste ed one o r d m e g o ff s o in n the bo t, n n o s r er che ver bee epper” v e P il early mo n s r d D ld “ a o h r e ls. I s”, o rom of th the labe Nesbitt’ dian wa the bott sleek In “Nehi”, “ Star” on , e e ” n th ta o h n L o a “ it nd atch ur on w say “F “Pearl” a tion wag e off to w r at didn’t ta e s th w c g e a w ti in n d pt nyth e old Po hway an t Dad ke tion to a port in th allas Hig ory” tha ir D it a r e r e th te th fe n n t o ing a w orth et pas orsake up catch turned n 1st. Stre at God-f d , 5 y th . in a .. to “ w w d e e to id d Neuhoff ,Id ack ng th Dad hea around tentions nd evil b nt pointi a ts in e k lo d m r d o a a e o d n g fe r f do the had ick es o rior hoo h the th hough I the forc ch from the sten d throug ners. Alt anquish e o v y r o b s S to n d agnolia o e r e o m n m th Longh ll like awake ile we me of e o h s h m a w s e w k s s n th d a e m un ay” d th g to as Fair gro use as a “back w mple an referrin the State ok Dad’s a towel to about Te n to r n o o e e d e x w e e h r e tw g n r e rou a unte befo e Klee winks b rds enco the car th tore just me som tu s e d e d e s n c li r a s n o h d ie h ld paper nven gh an e any Dad wou p at a co a brown d Fitzhu ich mad e n to h c a s w n s ll e y e ir r a a k en alw Has e Cla e Expo dung-lad ould giv on. We’d ad down ehind th w e is b r h d t a a s n p D e ju . m t s th o o and year s in c prime sp r many s later) blossom we had a 50 year orked fo d e w n s a d u e a ll r D ti to es f my (that I s venienc buddy o t the con where a a t te h a g g u e o sid ver he b of whate bag full .

Building ..... exas-OU or y of T

24

inside texas

insidetexas.com

That season , the Okie fa ns’ expecta dressed out tions were in a full Lon high as they ghorn unifor hooted and do grow ‘em m, I caught crowed abou big down in my fair shar t on the Mid A u st in, don’tche? e of taunts stay cool an way. Being from the re ”, followed by d kill ‘em w d -clad faithfu it h h ow k indness, so ls of was a juven “a l. “ Y’all shor in ’t-I-clever” even though ile...but thes e laughter. D I was seeth e were grow ad al up words of in w g ays told me from the ju n folks), I d wisdom like, to v id en m il e ai co n tain my dec mments (w “If you lower you to play orum. It hel ell, yeah...I yourself to for him...if w ped also that their level an e st il Dad would l have him th straight an d ge t in a offer scrap, I dou en...” That an d narrow p bt Coach Roy retty much d the specte all my life... al will want r of a belt w . hippin’ from Dad kept m As it becam e on the e closer to ti me for the te and hustled am to arrive outs me down so ide the hom I could be u in their coat e team lock p front and s and ties, li er room, Dad center when n em took me by en with thei the guys go couldn’t wai the arm r hands alre t off the two t to shave so ad K er y I rv w could carry rapped and ille Buses, d got off the bu my shaving taped, all ca ressed s, my Dad ca kit around rrying thei lled out to h like the big r shaving k came over an im , w gu its. I h ys did. When ich was rath d Dad said so er unusual Coach Mike mething in ing rides on fo C C r oa am h im to do befo ch’s ear so pbell the nearby he could be re a game. C Midway, an nodded, pat heard abov oach Campbe d the jeers ted my Dad e th of ll e the Sooner din of the bu on the arm fans crowdin ses, the scre boy?” “Yes and then ca g SIR!” Coach am th e entrance to me over to Royal then thump the The Tunnel Then his sm walked by an top of my h . Coach ile went grim d el p m la et y . He said,”Y fully shook and he disap ou ready, my face mas peared into k, saying, “H the locker ro ell, yes. He’ We stood ar om. s ready!” ound the ou tside of the ing up. I ask locker room ed Dad when , peering dow we were go n The Tunn Coach Royal ing to our se el to catch gl had. I began ats and he ju impses of p to wonder, st smiled an teams warm layers warm af te r so many ga d then got th up, why wer mes with m at same grim en’t we alre and Smokey y D ad ad look that y w in the stadiu ho loved to had answer go in early m? The Rufed with a lo the long incl to watch th Neks had fi ud single re e ine back to red their pre to rt .

B ev th o e locker room was in, both game shotgu bell yelled th bands were s after finis n volleys rough the ch hing warmu in, the team ain-link gate two pink sid ps. Then, th s were head , “Hey, Bill! e ed up eline passe m ir ac C le om h e ap s. ge D p t en ad th ed sn es the string on . Coach Cam atched ‘em e...” Poking pfrom Coach through the his through Campbell’s wire openin one of his be proceeded to fingers, than gs were lt loops like the gate, it k ed th e h im co ac sw p rofusely, an hes did. He ung open, an that hallow d tied then tied m d we headed ed hallway. ine to my fa down The C The echoes ce mask an live noises otton Bowl that rolled d we that I heard Tunnel...my through the in real time. first trip of ear holes of Layne yelli ..o m r an m m y y down aybe the ec helmet may ng at his bu hoes of sou ddy Doak... have been a nds from ga cacophony mes gone by of ....Maybe th The Longhor at’s Bobby ns prevaile d that day, Scott Apple 28-7, en rou ton wreaked te to their fi havoc on th rst national end, litterin e Sooners fr title. Duke C g The Tunn om the getarlisle, Tom el fr om go. The disap the fourth qu “We’re Num my Ford, an pointment ber 1”, and arter until d ra ined down in “B th oo e bitter end in mer Sooner those days the south ” buttons...a the form of and the Soo nd tons of re hundreds of ner faithful Ponca City, d ties. Men “Go Big Red were a little Eufala, and d ” re le ss ss ed d up for colleg ap other garden per as they e football in exited the C spots up ac otton Bowl ross the Red and headed River.

I became m back to esmerized by th at light at the heard. I kn end of The T ew I had to unnel and th eventually feel that ru wear a real e roar at fiel sh of power Longhorn u d level unli and energy n ke any noise if or m an that touches d play in th I’d ever at place wit just a lucky h my teammat fe w

in their life es and time...on a Saturday in

October.” -

- TexHorn

October/November - 2014

25

r the of 05 game fo f al h re fo be tman, right as so rewe ran to Pit was over. It w ak re st e “Wheel route th glad ght then d Mack to be . We knew ri e all expecte w 50+ yard TD en h w ot ative runs. for the kill sh f with conserv freshing to go al h e th to it ; and take with the lead ow -- Fear the C

26

inside texas

insidetexas.com

ad: dergr n u n a aves rs as ry he r yea d u s o ’ f R y s of m re (6-6, DK arl ran for t seat s r U. E o o footh mo w beat O d sop itting d the y e h l a i l t h d a , r r n d a our n yea as an y to fi eat, h t Tex ungr shma s from me 4. Gr a h e n 6 r r s f o o i d a i s y n i n 58 a one w he ga ost m e coll s a ju from . We l ar th every low. T . I wa s e e ’ 7 o o the n h s i G 7 s l d ) F 9 e l “1 ard hit ach denly cou wer y o d n e c e e u 5 s W s b w , a . e e l ow lling cause X-OU , Erx as-OU r wer 5th r ell be QB ca ly TD s eve last T k Tex t , w n c s a g i o e t e n r a h s i s ’ h w h t e est after wors e all t train veryt ort. B e gam e y r m ff h a r a t e M c g a . d e s e m 0 n of u imu uld h of th n ran ssic 4 125 a front a lot g max lso co d the e; cla e n a n i n i e t m t a s v i u a h t g g U b g uld O s no ri at ball held ll I co team tand e gre a could e t s e b t n w s e e u e l r n d l b h i l t e seu fte l-l seats o exc ot hit h a ba we co a goa one a w o t , z f i h T n t s i d w . i ’ s a n e t w g l e leben -field se. A ps, hi f our ne po ended t mid n Erx e hou epho e out o u ot-ste l h o h t o e t f b t n w , a n u a s i d t p g it. best check iet an guy a itzer atch hittin u e c w n q n e o r o i t l t n u h o , t o s y ls ben’ to tr he some OU re owd g signa Erxle t the he cr ll out ued. T d like a s T u s e f . a n d d s n e e w n y c u l lose n on pla Sou of al and r , win . I gla bilati n c t was. i u three e j w p t k i r o e e c o d d f n s u a ro d ply clock alway ow lo ly ins d dee is hea like a e h e n h t r ff e a e e t o l v d u w e p k eli rn, p ame lfrien . Com ll too not b the g ok, tu us gir t him he ba r o l o s e T i a t . e r f t p e n a a s ake o allas first yards ball b him t ) in D h my t five t a i u w h o a w p s b l s a and own . I wa ppa A lHorn ame d ties (Pi Ka opefu f them c o H l l l i l t a S par ped rnity ht top g i

n frate t gic.” ha aw. T te ma u l o s or dr at. Ab e. an th h t in lov r e t bett et a lo g t ’ n oes Life d

“The Stony Clark hit to preserve the victory in 1994 - first one I attended as a student after transferring to Texas. Incredible storms across Texas the day before, but the day of the game was a perfect 75 degree fall day in Dallas.”

-- IZ of Texas

October/November - 2014

27

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“Getting 50 yard line tick sitting n ets (as in ext to an , O U fan) t the rand hrough om ticke t draw m year. Th y freshm is was 1 an 9 8 9, when hit John Gardere ny Walk er with win it 2 1:28 to 8-24, br go to eaking a less stre 5 year win ak. It wa s the on rushed ly time I the field e v er .”

-- Motolo

ve

sally univer e r o m g orites. methin my fav o f s o r e o n o in ding e r a pen 2005 w ways b l o e f a h l t l t r i o k w c uch eff oth’s win y to pi even b be eas st year e too m a b ’t d l l n o , u t d e i o g d m “It w as goin ame in wn. We But for h the g ar. It w eat-do ngful. c i e b t n y a a a t w e e s k a i m me l e could y felt l yed ho alread oy so w b n o d l We sta s o a se ear t. The ur 2-y . blowou r for o e ir food t t i s late fa ng a u i d m i n s fi m ti e to er e first inkies h w t t r d o f . n e n peac xas! balls, a our so caroni own Te tching a d a h m w c , , u t h o u catfis fun. B h, was xas!, T fry up e couc own Te h o much t d s perih d s c a n We did u u w “To aro ame ex self e t g n t i a a t e r c m e b m f d e nd cel nd per The ga e a ma ll-arou ran lik game a a e a n h o a t s t a n i s , u get exas!” t, but j fferen down T i h d c s u a o 18 w T -- Horn able. It t t e g r .” o unf it was r what o f e c n e October/November - 2014

29

October/November - 2014

30

Sometimes you can go back home

by Mike Blackwell

Former players Lance Bedford and Les Koenning have returned to the 40 Acres as coaches

T

hey have known each other for more than 30 years now, the receiver

and the defensive back. Both came to the University of Texas in 1977.

Both are from Houston. And both - strangely and yet not surprisingly - are now on the Texas football coaching staff.

Things were a lot different for Texas defensive coordinator Vance Bedford and Texas receivers coach Les Koenning in 1977. The turf at Memorial

Stadium was rock hard, a little like the surface of your local miniature golf course, and William Cannon Boulevard was located in far South Austin.

Fred Akers was the new coach who would - fairly or not - be compared to Darrell Royal.

Some things, however, haven’t changed at all.

The Tower is still the Tower. The Drag is still the Drag. Barton Springs is

Barton Springs. And Oklahoma is still coming down the tunnel in Dallas. photo courtesy of Texas Sports Photography

It’s OU week now, and who better for Texas players to lean on for

experience and insight into what makes Texas-OU magic than Bedford and

being able to “come home” to be a part of Charlie Strong’s staff, and it’s

13-6 en route to a Cotton Bowl berth for the National Championship against

contests will be invaluable to many of their young players.

Koenning? Both were on the team in 1977, when Texas clipped the Sooners Notre Dame. Both felt the sting of defeat - to the tune of 31-10 - in 1978.

safe to assume their experiences from a white-hot era of Texas-OU football

And both experienced another hard-fought win, this time by a score of 16-7,

The Texas-OU experience is only one of many reasons why the two

Bedford missed UT’s 20-13 win in 1980 (Koenning played, catching two

“Why did I come back?” Bedford asks. “That’s easy. This is the best job in

victory over the Sooners in 1981.

come back here.”

in 1979.

balls for 35 yards), and Bedford ended his playing career with a 34-14

coaches made the return to Austin after years of success at other venues.

the country. THE University of Texas. This is home. This was a no-brainer to

Rest assured that both coaches - who are known for forging close

Koenning - who it is safe to say is a little less vociferous than the

extensively this week. They’ve already both shared their appreciation for

no less intense.

relationships with their players - will be sharing their OU experiences

charismatic Bedford - is more reserved when talking about his UT roots, but

“It’s very exciting,” says Koenning, who finished his career with 49 catches for 793 yards and four touchdowns for the Longhorns. “It’s changed a little bit since we’ve left.”

Should his receivers ask, Koenning can tell them he caught three balls for 41 yards in the 1979 Texas win over the Sooners.

Though neither has said much about it, it’s probably safe to assume that there is some good-natured ribbing that flies between the two, who did

battle in practice oh-so-many years ago. Those battles pale in comparison to the battles each had on the floor of the Cotton Bowl, when neither had

gray in their hair, and both had veins full of adrenaline that coursed through their bodies as they bounced down the Cotton Bowl tunnel.

Relatively few have had the opportunity to play - and then coach - in the Texas-OU game. For Bedford and Koenning, the Cotton Bowl/Sooners experience will come full circle on Oct. 11. photo courtesy of Texas Sports Photography

October/November - 2014

31

QB RB FB WR TE OL DE DT LB CB S K/P

Senior 20

2014 Texas Longhorn Roster Table Junior 13

David Ash^ Malcolm Brown

Sophomore 17

Tyrone Swoopes^

RS Freshman 6

True Freshman 22

‘15 Commits 17

Jerrod Heard

Zach Gentry

Duke Catalon D’Onta Foreman Kevin Shorter

Tristian Houston Jordan Stevenson

Jake Oliver*

Roderick Bernard Armanti Foreman Garrett Gray Lorenzo Joe Dorian Leonard

John Burt

Darius James* Jake Raulerson^*

Alex Anderson^ Terrell Cuney Elijah Rodriguez

Ronnie Major Garrett Thomas Patrick Vahe Toby Weathersby Connor Williams

Johnathan Gray Daje Johnson@ Alex De La Torre^

John Harris* Jaxon Shipley

Marcus Johnson*

Jacorey Warrick

Greg Daniels Miles Onyegbule% Geoff Swaim^

M.J. McFarland^*

Blake Whiteley

Dominic Espinosa*% Desmond Harrison@

Taylor Doyle* Marcus Hutchins* Sedrick Flowers*

Camrhon Hughes^* Kent Perkins Curtis Riser*

Cedric Reed

Shiro Davis

Caleb Bluiett* Bryce Cottrell*

Jake McMillon Derick Roberson

Louis Brown Charles Omenihu

Paul Boyette* Alex Norman* Hassan Ridgeway*

Poona Ford Chris Nelson

Du’Vonta Lampkin

Desmond Jackson% Malcom Brown Demarco Cobbs Steve Edmond Jordan Hicks Tevin Jackson

Quandre Diggs^ Sheroid Evans

Peter Jinkens Dalton Santos

Tim Cole*

Naashon Hughes*

Andrew Beck^ Edwin Freeman Cameron Hampton

Brecklyn Hager

Duke Thomas^

Bryson Echols*

Antwuan Davis*

Jermaine Roberts

Keivon Ramsey

Adrian Colbert* Dylan Haines Kevin Vaccaro

Erik Huhn*

John Bonney Jason Hall

DeShon Elliott Jamile Johnson Kirk Johnson

Mykkele Thompson Josh Turner@

Nate Boyer Will Russ*

Ben Pruitt#* Nick Rose#

Nick Jordan

BOLD indicates 2014 starter or co-starter; ^ is/was a spring enrolee as true freshman; * indicates player has already redshirted; # indicates a non-scholarship player; & initially on track scholarship

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October/November - 2014

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Is Doing the Right Thing Good Enough?

by Mike Blackwell

Y

ou want it both ways. So do I. We want to be healthy, and we want to eat cake. We want a big, fine car, but we want to save money on gas. We want our football coach to do the right thing, and we want our football team to win.

That last sentence, that’s where things get murky sometimes. Real murky. Red River murky.

News cameras in Austin pointed toward NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last Sunday, when it was revealed that he was in town to meet with Charlie Strong about the coach’s five core values. The fact that the two men met and had dialogue about, specifically, violence against women, was refreshing.

willingness to be tough.

But what happens if his won-loss record isn’t good enough? What happens to a good man - maybe a great man - who can’t win enough to suit you? Then what?

Let’s say the Longhorns go 5-7 this season, a record that appears to be a distinct possibility with this team. And then, let’s say the Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Aggies and/or

Everybody - every single body - is against violence against women. The overwhelming sentiment from the meeting is that the gathering was a positive step, was progress, and was probably was a long time coming.

In a year when wins will be hard to find, it was certainly nice to be able to say, “Look at us, we are doing the right thing!”

The question is: how do you balance the importance of “doing the right thing” with “winning”?

You want it both ways, don’t you?

Of course. But the question to consider is this: What happens when a coach who “does the right thing” doesn’t win enough to suit you? Then what? Which brings us to Charlie Strong.

Charlie Strong appears to be an ideal role model for young men and women to emulate. He’s hard-working, bright, loyal, passionate, compassionate and, so far, consistent with his discipline. The term “tough love” might’ve been invented for Charlie Strong. He’s got a good bit of both.

So far - in his honeymoon period - he has gotten rave reviews for dismissing players who have been unable to follow his five core values: respect women, tell the truth, don’t do drugs, don’t steal and don’t have weapons. But seriously, don’t you expect your kids to follow these type of values?

This is not earth-shattering stuff here. Nevertheless, everyone appreciates Strong’s

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the Baylor Bears reach the college football playoffs, a possibility that also appears to be more than a little feasible. It’s certainly the politically correct thing to say that if that happens, of course Texans will root for other Texans to win the national championship or another team from the Big 12, but please, we all know that’s is usually not the case.

Here’s the deal: if you are thrilled at what Charlie Strong is doing, then hopefully you are strong enough in your beliefs to stick with him when the number of wins are less that you expect. It is understood, of course, that Texas fans want both: a man who disciplines with a loving hand and an iron fist, and one who can win football games - preferably about 90 percent of them - on the field. I feel pretty confident that the first thing is definitely going to happen; the second part of the equation - the winning - is not guaranteed.

Let’s say for argument’s sake that in his first four years at Texas, Charlie Strong goes

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7-5, 8-4, 9-3, 8-4 and has a team full of great kids who represent the school in a fine manner. Are you going to stick by Strong at that point? You should, and you might. But if that happens, he might not keep his job.

Today - in 2014 - Mother Teresa and Mack Brown get shown the door if they go 8-4.

Right now, Charlie Strong is playing with “Mack’s players” and he has to “clean house” and “change the culture” - and for the most part, people understand what Strong is facing. For the most part, people recognize that he will need time to bring in “his players.” Everybody is willing to give Strong some time to complete his spring cleaning. Right now, it’s perfectly acceptable to say you’re willing to give Strong some time to “fix” a broken program.

The test will be to see if that sort of fairness will remain when the honeymoon is over.

Will this happen? I doubt it. The age of a having a great mentor/leader and a good football coach are over in major college football. You can be a jerk if you win (you know someone who fits this category, don’t you?); but you cannot be a good person and lose. And at Texas, you can’t be a good person and lose more than 2-3 games per season. We say we want a program that does things the right way and produces good kids that are ambassadors for UT, but always with a caveat: you have to win big.

There are too many opinions, too many “unnamed sources” within the media which cannot in any way, shape or form call itself “journalism” and too many fans who want immediate success. Everybody’s an expert.

It looks really good to have the NFL Commissioner fly across the country to talk with Charlie Strong about how he does things the “right way”, but the deeper question is: will UT - and Texas fans and media - be happy with doing things the “right way” if the winning isn’t up to par? Are those people willing to stand by Charlie Strong - someone who is evidently a good man, leader and football coach - if his teams aren’t winning enough?

Hopefully it’s a question that won’t have to be asked.

recruiting UPDATE

by Justin Wells

The 2015 class Brown, Louis Burt, John Elliott, DeShon Gentry, Zach Hager, Breckyn Houston, Tristian Johnson, Jamile Johnson, Kirk Lampkin, Du’Vonta Major, Ronnie Omenihu, Charles Ramsey, Keivon Stevenson, Jordan Thomas, Garrett Vahe, Patrick Weathersby, Toby

ATH WR S QB LB RB S ATH DT OL DE CB RB OL OL OL

Burton, TX Tallahassee, FL Rockwall, TX Albuquerque, NM Westlake, TX Houston, TX Dallas, TX San Jose, CA Houston, TX Huntsville, TX Rowlett, TX Converse, TX Dallas, TX Many, LA Euless, TX Spring, TX Charles Omenihu

Omenihu, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound DE from Rowlett and Texas pledge had one hell of a game last week. Nursing the flu, Omenihu had three sacks, two TFL, and two forced fumbles in a win loss to Euless Trinity. Omenihu decided last week he would not take his official visits and that it would only be UT.

The hard-hitting 2015 safety from Converse Judson is a throwback of sorts. Ramsey, who had offers from Alabama and LSU, committed to Texas last summer. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL during the Under the Lights camp at DKR and will miss his entire senior season. Coach Strong informed Ramsey to work hard and get healthy and told him that the Longhorns would honor his scholarship.

Keivon Ramsey

October/November - 2014

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Collin Johnson

Johnson is the second of the Johnson legacies to commit to Texas. His father is legendary Longhorn Johnnie Johnson (78-82 DB), while his older brother, 2015 ATH Kirk Johnson, has also committed to UT. Both reside in San Jose, CA where Collin is one of the top WRs in the California, and the nation for that matter in the 2016 class. The 6-foot-4 WR is the definition of catch radius. He’s compared to a young Larry Fitzgerald.

The 2015 Texas commit from South Oak Cliff took a visit to Wisconsin on 9/27 and came away with glowing quotes of Camp Randall. Our sources have told us not too worry and that he’ll sign with UT as expected on National Signing Day. The speedster, unofficial 4.3 40-yard dash, is one of the top RBs in the state and has offers from Alabama and Tennessee among others.

He’s teammates with future ‘15 Texas safety Jamile Johnson at SOC.

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Belong Here.

5 1

QUICK

by Justin Wells

We’re 1/3 of the way through the 2014 season and the Texas Longhorns are 2-2, 1-0 early in the campaign. Here are my Five Quick Thoughts on 2-2 Texas and what we know and don’t know about the Horns in Charlie Strong’s 1st year on the 40 Acres.

Texas opened the

Charlie Strong era with a home-opening win over the North Texas Mean

Green, 38-7, in Week 1.

The offense was efficient

- RB Malcolm Brown scored twice - and the

defense was downright nasty. They tallied five sacks, four interceptions, and one defensive

score to close out the domination. Little did we know it would be QB David Ash’s final game.

Ash suffered from concussion-like symptoms and retired three weeks later. It was a good showing and a good start.

4

thoughts

2

It was Deja Vu for UT as the newness wore off fast for Texas and coach Strong when BYU came to Austin and embarrassed the Longhorns, 41-7, only a year

after a similar humbling in Provo, UT. After a 6-0 halftime lead, the Cougars exploded for 28 unanswered

points behind the exploits of star QB Taysom Hill, who accounted for four TDs. It was Texas sophomore QB

Tyrone Swoopes first career start. One step forward, two steps back for Strong after Game 2.

3

Texas headed up I-35 to Arlington for a

neutral site clash with No. 11 UCLA Bru-

ins. UCLA lost star QB Brett Hundley early in the game, and Texas took advantage staking a 10-0 halftime advantage after

a Swoopes to TE MJ McFarland scoring

strike. Am exciting 4th quarter included Swoopes con-

necting with WR John Harris for a game-leading TD with Texas started Big 12 play off

under five minutes remaining. But UCLA turned in a big

road win over the Kansas

and-catch TD clinched it for the Bruins at AT&T Stadium,

fitting that Strong got is inaugu-

Cowboys. This loss hurt as the staff knew how close they

in style with a convincing 23-0

punt return and Jerry Neuheisel to Jordan James pitch-

Jayhawks in Lawrence. It was

20-17, in front of 65K fans at the home of the Dallas

ral Big 12 conference win with

were to a signature style win.

a shutout. The defense forced four turnovers, while Swoopes accounted for three touch-

downs - two in the air, one on the ground - in

the sophomore signal-caller’s 1st career win.

Kansas coach Charlie Weis was fired 12 hours later. It was an expected win for a staff clearly

with upcoming opponents Baylor and Oklahoma on their mind.

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Texas faces the gauntlet of the Big 12 with a home

game vs No. 6 Baylor and the Red River Shootout with No. 3 Oklahoma in Dallas a week later in the next 14

days. Fans and the UT faithful will have a better idea of

who this Texas team is after facing the Top 10 foes. The schedule lets up with games against Iowa State (home)

and Kansas State (Manhattan) to round out October.

October/November - 2014

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Down Goes Bomar!

The 2005 Texas-OU game was a rough one for Rhett Bomar. Heavily recruited by both schools, Bomar chose Oklahoma over Texas, much to the ire of the Longhorn faithful. Bomar

was a freshman and suffered mightily against a swarming UT defense. Bomar finished the day a feeble 12-of-33 for 94 yards and an interception.

He also had a fumble returned for a score.

Follow Inside Texas twitter.com/InsideTexas

- Graduate The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas School of Law Winner of the 2014 Austin Under 40 (Au40) Award in Real Estate

Recognized as Rising Star by Texas Monthly and Super Lawyer magazines Real Estate | Construction | Business | Title Insurance John A. Hay III

Beat OU...Hook’em!

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