Inside Texas November 2019

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NOVEMBER 2019

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in this issue

Run Game Keys Win Over KSU |

6

by Joe Cook

Game Story by Joe Cook 5 Quick Thoughts by Ian Boyd

Under the Radar |

18

by Mike Blackwell

Chris Brown plays an important role for UT secondary.

High Expectations |

22

by Mike Blackwell

Matt Coleman looks to lead the Horns in his junior season.

26

Run Game Stalls In Loss to Iowa State Game Story by Joe Cook

30

Offensive Woes Continue in Waco Game Story by Joe Cook

36

Strong Finish to Season on Senior Day Game Story by Joe Cook Post Mortem by Scipio Tex

Publishers -- Michael Pearle, Clendon Ross | Managing Editor--Clendon Ross | Editor-- Mike Blackwell InsideTexas.com Editor -- Justin Wells | Lead Writer -- Joe Cook | Contributor -- Ian Boyd Designer/Photographer -- Will Gallagher | Recruiting Analyst -- Eric Nahlin To Subscribe/Customer Service -- Phone: 512-659-8167 | Email: help@insidetexas.com November 2019

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GROUND GAME KEYS

BY JOE COOK

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inside texas

Keaontay Ingram

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WIN OVER WILDCATS

Kansas State kicker Blake Lynch’s 45-yard field goal sailed through the uprights with 6:45 remaining. His boot tied the game at 24 just minutes after his teammate Joshua Youngblood’s 98-yard kickoff return made it 24-21 Texas. When Texas got the ball back, it had no plans to let Kansas State get another chance.

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- texas vs kansas state -

T

exas held onto the ball for 6:42,

side of the ball limited KSU to just

Texas won the time of possession

driving 67 yards on 12 plays.

58 second half yards. He thought

battle 31:19 to 28:41 against a team

With three seconds left, Cameron

KSU would have an opportunity at

that was previously No. 3 nationally

Dicker trotted onto the field need-

more until Texas was putting the final

in the statistic. That control, especial-

ing to hit a 26-yarder to give Texas

touches on its game-winning drive

ly the last 6:45 of it, boosted Texas

another last-second win over a Big

with kneel downs from Sam Ehlinger.

to a win over the No. 16 team in the

12 member from Kansas.

College Football Playoff rankings.

“I thought we were going to go

Longhorn head coach Tom Herman

back out there,” Roach said. “At the

The rushing attack, led by sopho-

called his final timeout, guarantee-

beginning of the drive, I thought the

more Keaontay Ingram’s 141 yards

ing there would be no icing of Dicker

offense was going to go down there

and two scores and including a 34-

from either side.

and get points and we would have

yard third quarter score, was pivotal

to go out there and stop them again.

toward Texas gaining bowl eligibility.

Justin Mader’s snap found Chris

Offense did a great job of imposing

It was part of a 228-yard day on the

Naggar’s hands, and Dicker’s foot

their will. O-line, great job.”

ground for Texas.

That offensive line, and the offense

“I think he’s playing with a ton of

in general, controlled a significant

confidence right now,” Herman said

Malcolm Roach anticipated hav-

portion of the game on the ground

of Ingram. “He’s 230 pounds, guys.

ing to play defense one more time

against the Wildcats.

I don’t know what he played at last

sent the ball through the uprights for a 27-24 Texas win.

after Lynch’s original field goal. His

year, but he’s a lot more confident in

Cameron Dicker (17)

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- texas vs kansas state his body. He’s a lot more confident

throw for 36 yards in the second

in his strength and his power, and

half.

to zero third down conversions.

the last few week’s he’s been playing at a really good level.”

“We played better on 1st and 2nd Thompson and the KSU pass-

down to make those 3rd downs

ing attack was the only part of the

a lot longer,” Herman said of the

Texas’ final drive was composed of several hallmarks of the Longhorns season; an almost-debilitating holding penalty, big Ingram runs, a third-and-long conversion from Ehlinger to Devin Duvernay, a RPO to Duvernay, and intriguing play calling near the goal line. Through it all, Texas was able to finish the 13-play drive in order to secure win No. 6.

The Longhorns fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter both times due to trouble with 3rd down defense.

The Wildcats first score was a 70yard touchdown pass from Skylar Thompson to Malik Knowles on the fifth play of the game. Their second score capped an eight-play drive with two different double-digit gains on third down.

Though Kansas State continued to have success on offense, none of their ensuing first-half drives resulted in points.

Collin Johnson

The first drive after the second Wildcat touchdown ended in a punt, followed by a fumble recovered by Texas, then another punt. Thomp-

Wildcat offense that benefitted from

improvement on money downs. “We

son tallied 217 yards through the air

a fast start. Kansas State rushed for

executed at a much higher level.

in the first half, one yard shy of his

29 yards in the first half followed by

We did our jobs.”

career-best 218.

22 in the second half. The hot start helped KSU convert on five of its

On offense, Ehlinger was able to

Though he finished with a new high

first seven third down attempts. Af-

add another touchdown pass to his

mark of 253, he only was able to

ter that, Texas’ defense limited KSU

name when he found Collin John-

November 2019

9

son for a 21-yard score in the second quarter. Ehlinger became the third Texas QB to pass for 60 touchdowns in his career, and the third player in school history to total over 9,000 yards of offense in his career.

Join the Conversation D’Shawn Jamison and Juwan Mitchell

The other two touchdowns came via Ingram, one the 34-yarder in the third quarter, the other a 12-yard run early in the fourth.

After the game, Herman praised his team’s ability to navigate through any outside noise and play for each other in order to win. He mentioned there was “misinformation” said and written about the team, but his team showed togetherness and love of each other in order to overcome it and earn the victory.

It was despite a 14-0 deficit. It was despite an average day from Ehlinger. It was despite 5-4 staring them in the face.

Instead, Texas is 6-3 and still has a chance to get to Arlington to play for the Big 12 Championship.

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November 2019

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5

QUICK

vs

thoughts

by Ian Boyd

Texas got back on 2018 form in this one, finishing off the Wild-

trying to score from eight yards out and put the game on Dick-

cats at home with a last minute field goal by Cameron Dicker.

er’s right foot from 26 yards out.

Texas carefully set up the field goal to take place with time expiring by having Sam Ehlinger take some goal line slides to

Overall things went more or less as Tom Herman must have

force timeouts from Kansas State and turn the final drive into a

wished. A typical collection of disastrous Todd Orlando blitzes

13 play, 67-yard affair that drained all of the remaining 6:45 off

on third downs led to TD drives on each of Kansas State’s first

the clock before setting up an easy Dicker game-winner with

two possessions and had the Longhorns down 14-0 after a

time expiring.

quarter.

Things got iffy, particularly when a game-winning TD on the

From there, Texas’ advantages came to bear. They out-rushed

aforementioned final drive that came on a Sam Ehlinger QB

the Wildcats 214 to 51, more or less matched the expected

power run was called off because Texas only had six players

K-State special teams playmaking, and controlled the game at

on the line of scrimmage rather than the required seven.

the line of scrimmage in a lower-scoring slog in which Texas got only 11 possessions and allowed K-State only 10 while

Texas took the opportunity to just burn more clock rather than

#1: That

winning the TOP battle 31:19 to 28:41.

was almost a disaster...

As good as Kansas State’s offensive line has been, Texas wasn’t a

and more effective. Texas mixed in some four-man fronts that allowed

good matchup for them and the injuries to the Wildcat RBs loomed in

Malcolm Roach to rush the edge and yielded some stops on third

this contest. James Gilbert was out and speedy Jordon Brown played

down. They leaned a little more (although not consistently) down the

sparingly while the Wildcats relied instead on Harry Trotter and Tyler

stretch on some zone blitzes that

Burns, the third and fourth RBs on the depth chart.

A) didn’t bring DBs B) often involved cover 2 calls over K-State’s preferred sides.

The entire game was largely a series of sequences in which the Longhorns stuffed the Wildcat power run game on standard downs

B.J. Foster made a sensational play (a few, really) by getting his

and then it became a question of whether Orlando’s zone blitzes

hand up to bat away a big pass on third and long on one of those

would be picked apart by Skylar Thompson or not.

cover 2 blitzes. He also had a sack and nearly killed one of K-State’s RBs with a huge hit.

Early in the game, they were picked apart. Thompson was routinely finding Dalton Schoen and was 13-for-16 at one point in the game.

This was a good matchup for Orlando, a team that lacked great

The Wildcats finished 5-11 on third down and were on pace for a

athletes at WR (the better athletes in the K-State WR corps are all

much better finish before the Longhorns tightened down on some of

too young) and tries to win with bigger formations and power run

their schemes.

sets. Texas’ run blitzes, superior DL personnel, and the physical run D of players like B.J. Foster, Joseph Ossai, Juwan Mitchell, and

But Texas started to leverage their advantages down the stretch.

Brandon Jones was too much. Still, for all that it looked for a moment

Caden Sterns was crucial for helping the back end avoid busts and

as though Texas was going to waste all of those advantages with bad

throws over the top and some of Texas’ pressures got a little smarter

situational defense.

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#2 Texas

pulled even on special teams and game management Texas’ decision to intentionally avoid scoring in order to waste away every one of Kansas State’s timeouts late in the game was fairly rare for the college game but played well and secured the game.

Lining up properly and scoring a TD on that 3rd and goal QB power run would also have done the trick but with a tie game and a phenomenal kicker, Herman did well in that situation to guarantee that the only team that could win in regulation was Texas.

There was a moment in which Texas nearly gave the entire game away with poor management. First an interception by Ehlinger when he tried to force a late throw on a Duvernay seam route near the end zone. That drive was almost certainly ending in points before he tossed that ball on a 2nd and 8.

Tom Herman

Todd Orlando

Later, Texas was in control with a 24-14 lead when remarkably shoddy kickoff coverage yielded a 98 yard return by Kansas State that closed the gap to 24-21 and put the Wildcats in position to tie the game. That tie was managed thanks in large part to a silly targeting penalty committed by Jalen Green, which by the way will see him sit out the first half of Texas’ upcoming road game against Iowa State.

In between those costly errors was a 53-yard punt return by Brandon Jones that set up a Texas touchdown. That and Dicker’s steady kicking, 55-yard misfire notwithstanding, allowed the Longhorns to hold onto this game. This team isn’t smart and disciplined enough to win with Snyder-ball but they are explosive enough to try and get by due to periodic displays of game-changing athleticism.

B.J. Foster

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- 5 Q uick T houghts | W est V irginia -

#3 The

texas offense had some wrinkles

Sam Ehlinger was 22-of-29 for 263 yards at 9.1 ypa with a TD and an INT. Keaontay Ingram turned 16 carries into 139 yards and a pair of TDs, one of them naturally coming on the “touchdown play.”

Collin Johnson had seven catches for 110 yards and a score, Devin Duvernay had nine catches for 110 yards.

Overall Texas was working the RPO game in this contest much more extensively than they have in the past. The Wildcats played a lot of two-deep coverages and without a safety down to help up front, they were unable to cover up Texas’ mix of downhill zone runs and slants to Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay.

Ehlinger hit both regularly, including on the game-winning drive, and chewed up Kansas State’s two-deep coverages in crucial moments while opening up lanes for Ingram and the run game.

Texas had a few tweaks in there to help everything. One was playing Reese Leitao either as an inline TE or deeper in the backfield like a fullback, so as to allow him to get out into routes or to build some momentum to execute some of the blocks.

By the way, if you review the film you’ll find that Texas replaced Junior Angilau by sliding Derek Kerstetter into the guard position and playing Denzel Okafor at right tackle. Okafor routinely hooked Kansas State DEs on the edge and allowed a couple of runs that bounced, he’s a great run blocker which paid off in a big way.

The other tweak was subbing out the TEs when they wanted to get into the spread sets and using Malcolm Epps as a de-facto flex TE.

Sam Ehlinger (11)

Epps isn’t a great receiver yet but he’s more dangerous than Cade Brewer or Reese Leitao, which helped challenge Kansas State’s matchups and create some openings for Texas’ main receivers.

Future opponents will catch on but Texas has a lot of run game concepts they can mix in, particularly if Ehlinger continues to be up for getting 10+ carries a week as he did today, that can allow them to punish teams that try to sub into pass-stopping defenses when Epps comes into the game.

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- 5 Q uick T houghts | W est V irginia -

#4 There

were some positive moments to build on for the defense

The pass defense still wasn’t very strong, and Kansas

package and particularly on run blitzes.

State took them apart at times despite lacking the sorts of receivers that Texas will have to defend in future contests.

The DL is dominant, believe it or not. They’ve done an

There were some positives though.

exceptional job all year of owning the interior gaps and forcing opponents to beat Texas either on the perimeter

This defense hits another level when Brandon Jones is

or in the passing game. Since teams have done both of

joined at safety by Caden Sterns and B.J. Foster. The

those things it’s appeared that the Longhorns have lacked

Longhorns were able to mix in some inverted Tampa 2

the DL they need to win at a high level. Malcolm Roach

with this personnel on the field and stuff the run from a

got to rush the edge some from a 5-technique today and

conservative look and they were able to get away with

showed well and Coburn and the others continue to own

SOME of Orlando’s blitzes with Sterns picking up seam

the A and B gaps regardless of the opponent.

routes.

There are pieces here that could allow Texas to play good Juwan Mitchell and Joe Ossai are a disruptive pair of

enough defense to still pull off a Big 12 championship.

linebackers, particularly when they are allowed to focus

Whether they can be assembled into a strong enough unit

primarily on attacking. Texas can’t do that all the time,

is unclear, if you don’t have major doubts you’re crazy, but

Mitchell has to drop back now and again and play smart

it’s within the realm of possibility.

zone pass defense, but he’s certainly a weapon in the blitz

Texas Defense

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- 5 Q uick T houghts | W est V irginia -

#5 Texas

needs help down the stretch but the path is visible

Baylor nearly lost on the road to TCU today but yet again wriggled away with a win. Their QB Charlie Brewer looked really off today and I’ve questioned all year whether his playing style (imagine Ehlinger minus 25 pounds) was going to allow him to hold up over the course of a round robin slate and lead the Bears through a tough November stretch. They finish with Oklahoma, Texas, and then a road trip at Kansas. Assuming that Texas wins out, the Longhorns need the Bears to drop one other game. Or… Oklahoma has a tough home game today against Iowa State, then a road trip against Baylor, TCU at home, and then Oklahoma State on the road. The Longhorns would need them to lose twice if Baylor were to avoid losing any other game besides their head to head with Texas, but things could be worse in terms of standing for the playoffs.

Beyond winning out, Texas needs one of Baylor or Oklahoma each pick up a pair of losses. Texas can hand Baylor one and Oklahoma could hand them the other, which would do the trick.

Or if Baylor beats Oklahoma and Texas needs the Sooners to pick up another loss it’s not outside of the realm of possibility.

A loss against Kansas State would have essentially ended the season for Texas and made it a wash. Instead, there’s still excitement and intrigue for the month ahead.

Caden Sterns

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Kraken_Texas_mechanical.indd 1

5/19/11 2:17:09 PM

FLYING UNDE

Chris Brown

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ER THE RADAR

BY MIKE BLACKWELL

His name is nondescript, to say the very least: Chris Brown.

And if you Google search in an effort to try and find out about his many attributes as a junior University of Texas defensive back, well, you might get an entertainer or two, or maybe you’ll read about the former Colorado running back of the same name.

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chris brown

-

under the radar

-

he 5-11, 195-pounder from Alief Elsik High School will

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playing time, obviously - is one of the primary reasons the Long-

not see his name in the marquee lights, and his exploits

horns’ pass defense struggled mightily.

And his team’s disappointing 7-5 record, Brown also won’t be a

Caden Sterns missed time with a knee injury, Josh Thompson

part of a team that plays in a major college bowl game. The term

was out with foot issues, Jalen Green hurt his shoulder, etc. etc.

“under the radar” fits perfectly for the Longhorns’ Chris Brown.

etc.

Fortunately for Brown - an athlete who epitomizes the term

“Before (Brown) got injured, he was the leader of the special

‘team player’ - his common name and low key persona has no

forces unit,” said Texas coach Tom Herman. “He obviously had

effect on how he’s perceived by his teammates, and also his

worked himself into being a starter on defense, really, because

opponents. He’s consistent, dependable, intense and, perhaps

of the value early in our tenure here that he provided on special

most importantly, still has another year of eligibility remaining.

teams.”

Brown’s redshirt junior year was not what he has hoped for, or

The injuries and struggles the Longhorns suffered overshad-

anticipated, so he undoubtedly is happy to be returning to Texas

owed Brown’s importance to the defense, though his tangible

for his senior year in 2020. He played in only eight games after

production makes it clear just how essential he is. In the eight

breaking his forearm against the University of Oklahoma, yet

games he has played, he’s made 37 tackles (tied for fourth on

returned from that injury and finished strong, ending the regular

the team) and has three tackles for loss and an interception.

on the football team will not usually be lauded with thick

headlines and through-the-roof statistics an highlights.

Brown’s injured forearm was one of a handful of secondary injuries that contributed to the Longhorns’ struggles in 2019: safety

season with nine solo tackles in the Senior Day victory over Texas Tech.

He started the first six games of the season, and recorded six tackles in each of the first two games of the season, against

Despite his low profile, Brown has been a vital part of the Texas

Louisiana Tech and Louisiana State.

secondary since making his debut in the game at the University of Southern California in 2017. His injury - causing him to miss

His sophomore year, which obviously culminated in the Allstate Sugar Bowl game against Georgia, saw him play in all 14 games, two of which he started.

He finished the 2018 season with 12 tackles, one sack and one interception, and though his numbers were far less than astronomical, he showed a big-time propensity to deliver the big hit.

After redshirting in 2016 - his first year on the Texas campus - he played primarily on special teams in the final 11 games of the season in 2017, and recorded his first career tackle in a 38-7 blowout win at Baylor.

All that’s left for Brown to accomplish now is to finish the season with a strong bowl appearance (at press time the Longhorns did not know which bowl game would invite them) followed

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chris brown

-

under the radar

-

by a successful - and injury-free - senior season.

If his senior season goes as hoped for, it will mean that Brown would have successfully fulfilled his dream of becoming a major contributor at a big-time college football school following a high school career chockfull of accolades.

While at Elsik, Brown was a three-star, twotime all-district player and was rated as the 24th-best safety in the country and number six safety in Texas.

The Elsik defense allowed just 14.3 points per game in Brown’s senior season, including a stretch of four consecutive games at the end of the regular season in their the squad al-

Brown also had a breakout year in the junior year of his col-

lowed six or fewer points per game and a pair of shutouts.

legiate season, though it was interrupted by injury.

As a high school junior, Brown led his district with five intercep-

Should he manage to have the good fortune to stay healthy for

tions while recording 43 tackles.

YOU HYD R AT E

his senior year at Texas, the name “Chris Brown” could become more than just another common name.

W E D O NAT E

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November 2019

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HIGH EXPECTATIONS

By Mike Blackwell

High expectations began early for Matt Coleman, the junior Texas point guard and much-loved son of Clifford and Davona Coleman.

Coleman, you see, is the son whose father was a college basketball player (NCAA Division III’s Newport News Apprentice School), and is currently the head hoops coach at Bryant and Stratton Junior College in Virginia Beach, Virginia. His mother, ever-emphasizing academics to her sons, is an accounting graduate of the University of Virginia.

His brother, Chase, is a freshman basketball player at UVA.

H

oops runs thick in his veins, and having grown

leashed his talents to the tune of 7.8 points, 4.6 re-

up with a basketball literally and figuratively at-

bounds and 4.4 assists in 22 minutes per game played,

tached to him, Coleman was barely a teenager

teaming with future Longhorns Mohamed Bamba and

- a middle schooler! - when college basketball coaches

Jarrett Allen to win the gold medal.

came calling.

So yeah, he was seen as quite the catch coming out of One of those was Virginia Commonwealth head basket-

high school.

ball coach Shaka Smart, who is currently running the Texas men’s basketball program.

So good, in fact, that his colleges of choice to further his

He was that good. And his high school career at Oak

less to say, Coleman was seen as not only a great player

Hill Academy did nothing to persuade anyone that his

coming out of high school, but also a superior intellect.

basketball career were Texas, Duke and Stanford. Need-

potential would not ultimately be met. Oak Hill went 37-5 his senior year, 42-1 as a junior.

Flash forward to the autumn of 2019, the first semester of Coleman’s junior year, and it’s clear that the high

As a member of Team USA in the 2016 FIBA Americas

expectations for the third-year starter have not subsided.

U18 Championship in Valdivia, Chile, Coleman un-

This season, he is The Man, upon whose shoulders rest November 2019

23

- matt coleman those expectations.

guru Andy Katz listed Coleman as one of the five most important players in the Big 12 going into this season.

Yes, as a sophomore, Coleman helped the Longhorns

Unfortunately for Coleman, one of the reason Katz is list-

win the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) champion-

ing his as such is because in some people’s estimation,

ship. Yes, he played an started in all 37 of his games last

the 6-2, 185-pounder has not lived up to those expecta-

season, including the NIT championship game against

tions.

Lipscomb, which the Longhorns won 81-66, a game in which he had 11 points, seven assists and only one

This will hopefully be the year that kind of talk disap-

turnover. He led the team in minutes played, assists, free

pears. Certainly Coleman has started the season well,

throw percentage and was fourth on the team in scoring.

leading the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game and connecting on 52.5 percent of his shots from the field.

But Coleman has been in the Austin fishbowl enough to recognize and realize that all of that means very little to

And though Texas fans have been complaining about the

burnt orange nation.

team’s lack of three-point shooting prowess for years, Coleman has bolted from the game this season with a

He hasn’t scored enough or won enough to suit the

58.3 percentage from the arc, nailing 14 of 24.

Austin faithful, and he’s hoping this season changes all of that. Yes, the NIT title is nice; no, he does not want his

Free-throw shooting? He’s leading the team at 85.7

team to play in the NIT again.

percent (18 of 21).

And personally, the expectations for him remain at the

“The Longhorns lost Kerwin Roach, Jaxson Hayes and

highest level. So much so that NCAA.com’s basketball

Dylan Osetkowski,” Katz says. “The next man up is Coleman. He’s ready for the challenge to be the extension of Shaka Smart. If he can shoulder the responsibility of being the go-to perimeter scorer and the lead on defense, then Texas can once again be in the chase for an NCAA tournament bid.

Certainly an NCAA Tournament big was and is always expected by Coleman, a four-star recruit who has always expected to play - and succeed.

That is certainly the expectation when you are recruited at the level of Coleman, who was ranked as the ninthranked point guard in the country.

But while some are bogged down by those types of expectations, Coleman has clearly benefitted in this regard from his strong family, a house full of Colemans who are well-familiar with

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- matt coleman the ebb and flow of athletics, and the expectations and whims of fans and “experts.”

Coleman, who has played in and started in all 71 games of his first two seasons, has managed to keep a proper perspective as he and Smart try and turn around a program that will have a shiny new arena in the near future. He doesn’t let the expectations of those outside of his circle to determine his self-esteem.

He understands.

“Growing up with a strong family basketball background was very helpful in maturing myself as a basketball player and gave me a better understanding of the game,” says Coleman, who 33 times during his career has reached double figures in scoring and has gone passed the 20-point mark five times in his career, numbers that will obviously continue to grow. “They always say I grew up with a basketball in my hand, and I think that has helped me along the way.”

Off the court, Coleman’s own expectations are higher than the on-the-court expectations of those who think he hasn’t reached his apex yet as a player. His priorities and perspectives are in the right places.

“My mom, she went to UVA and graduated from there with an accounting degree, so you know she’s all about the books,” Coleman says with a smile. “And my parents always say, ‘Don’t let basketball use you, you use basketball. Use this basketball scholarship as a tool to broaden your horizons.’

“There’s so much out there. One day the basketball is going to stop bouncing, so you have to find something that’s going to last forever.”

Unfortunately for Coleman, he’ll continue to be seen as someone who will be judged at Texas - as a basketball player - by whether or not the Longhorns can once again get to the NCAA Tournament and perhaps make a deep

run in March. To do that, he’ll probably have to score more, be more vocal, be the team’s quarterback.

“To be a champion, for me, is to be a winner in everything you do. Champions don’t go through every day life being...I’m going to use the word ‘regular.’ You make yourself stand out, you have to be different.”

The impressive Coleman certainly stands out, on and off the court. The 2019-20 season will determine whether or not he’ll stand out enough to fulfill the years-long expectations that he has carried so deftly on his back.

“My mom and dad have always told me, in order to be a good leader, you first and foremost have to take care of your personal stuff, then you can take care of the people around you.”

And also, take care of lofty expectations. This is Texas, after all.

November 2019

25

SEASON STAL by

Joe Cook

AMES - Texas’ offense produced more drives resulting in zero or fewer yards than drives ending in touchdowns in a 23-21 loss to Iowa State that eliminated the Longhorns from Big 12 Championship contention.

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LLS IN AMES

November Breckyn 2019 Hager 27

- texas vs iowa state -

T

wo of those scoring drives

examine our gameplan in the run game

165 of his 273 passing yards on Texas’

came in the second half, the

and our execution. To not be able to

two second half scoring drives, including

second giving Texas a 21-20

run the ball the way that we thought we

63 yards after his team was penalized

lead. The Longhorns had an opportunity

would be able to, that was the biggest

into 2nd-and-35.

to bleed the final few minutes of clock

difference.”

out as they had against Kansas State one week prior.

However, for the Longhorns to win they The problem side of the ball for most of

would need to run the football.

the season for Herman was the defense.

UT put together a fourth gain-free drive

This time, it was the offense, his special-

What was true most of the night held

for its eighth three-and-out, and put the

ty, that struggled to do much of anything

true once again. Running plays on first

ball back in the hands of a Cyclone of-

save for two remarkable drives.

and second down gained nothing, and a

fense that drove to the Texas 19.

third down screen to Devin Duvernay fell The Longhorn offense took the field for

incomplete after ISU’s Jamahl Johnson

With four seconds remaining, ISU kicker

the final time with 4:01 remaining in the

batted it down.

Connor Assalley nailed a 36-yard field

game. Draining the clock was the goal,

goal to win the game.

and it would be a difficult task consider-

Following the game, Herman stated he

ing how effective Iowa State was on

believed the prudent strategy was to run

defense most of the night.

time off the clock and force Iowa State

“Obviously, a really, really poor performance by our offense in the first few

to use its timeouts, believing his team

quarters,” Texas head coach Herman

Any success Texas had on offense

would gain yardage on the ground. He

said postgame. “We’ve got to really

came through the air. Ehlinger totaled

then said he believed the prudent third down playcall was to throw a screen, and credited Johnson for his play.

It wasn’t what Texas was expecting, even though it was a similar result to most of Texas’ efforts on the ground. One week after rushing for 214 yards versus Kansas State, Texas amassed 54 rushing yards on 26 carries.

“We pride ourselves on being able to run off the clock and keep our defense off the field and we weren’t able to do that when it came down to it,” Ehlinger said.

The final three-and-out created by the Cyclone defense gave Iowa State the ball back

Tom Herman and Sam Ehlinger

28

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- texas vs iowa state with 3:00 remaining in the game. Their

given all the three-and-outs, poor field

included a return trip to Arlington, but the

offense received huge boosts from two

position, and all of the things,” Herman

chances of that occurring nosedived to

defensive pass interference calls on

said.

zero with this loss.

Jalen Green and Caden Sterns, but the Longhorn defense held for a third down stop that brought Iowa State kicker Connor Assalley on the field for a 42-yard field goal.

However, penalties once again hurt Texas as Joseph Ossai was flagged for being offside, giving the Cyclones an opportunity to set up for a closer kick. Three plays later, Assalley hit the 36-yarder as time expired.

Texas’ defense performed admirably and held Iowa State in check for most of the game. Even though the Longhorns put together eight sputtering drives, Todd Orlando’s defense did get off the field at several key junctures.

The two notable lapses resulted in 14

Ta’Quon Graham (49), Keondre Coburn (99) and Malcolm Roach (32)

Cyclone points. On ISU’s first drive, multiple Texas defenders fell for Iowa State

It took 29:13 of game time for Texas

Still, two games remain and Ehlinger be-

quarterback Brock Purdy’s pump-fake.

to even get on the scoreboard. Five of

lieves Texas will play hard even without

Charlie Kolar was left wide open in the

the first six Longhorn drives ended in a

the trip to AT&T Stadium as a possibility.

end zone for a two-yard score.

Chris Naggar punt.

“I believe the guys in the locker room

On the first play of the second half,

The only outlier was a six-play, 17-

love each other enough to keep each

Purdy escaped what looked to be a sure

yard drive that began via a D’Shawn

other focused and keep working,” Eh-

sack and heaved a ball for Deshaunte

Jamison interception, and ended with

linger said.

Jones. No Longhorn defender was near

Sam Ehlinger falling short of the yard

Jones and his jaunt to the end zone

to gain. The lone first-half score for the

Should that happen, Texas could very

extended ISU’s lead to 17-7.

Longhorns was a highlight-play catch by

well win its next two games for eight

Brennan Eagles for a 14-yard score.

regular season wins.

in the game despite a poor offensive

With the result, Texas falls to 6-4 with a

If his belief doesn’t hold true, topping

showing.

4-3 conference record, removing Texas

Baylor and Texas Tech could prove

from Big 12 Championship conten-

difficult.

Still, it was an effort that kept Texas

“I thought our defense played admirably

tion. The expectations for the season Jean Delance

November 2019

29

OFFENSIVE W by

30

Joe Cook

inside texas Sam Ehlinger

insidetexas.com

WOES IN WACO

WACO — Texas followed a disjointed, eight three-and-out performance at IowaState with another dismal offensive effort versus Baylor in a 24-10 loss.

November 2019

31

- texas vs baylor -

T

he Longhorns’ lone touchdown came with one

Texas running backs rushed for 112 yards and Ehlinger

second remaining in the game. Daniel Young

rushed for 79, but the effectiveness of those yards was

rushed from four yards out into the end zone on

dramatically reduced by the Baylor defense. They were

his only carry.

reduced further when Ingram was ruled out of the second half.

“Hats off to Baylor,” Herman said. “That was a pretty stellar defensive performance. We knew how fast and physi-

Herman’s offensive gameplan and the play of the Texas

cal that defense was going into the game, and obviously

offensive line required extraordinary effort from Ehlinger

we didn’t respond on that side of the football.”

on a down-by-down basis often just for positive yardage or to avoid a sack. The Longhorns were 4-of-13 on third

Other than Young’s run and a 68-yard run by Keaontay

down conversions. Two came in the first half, one on an

Ingram before the end of the first half, the Baylor defense

Ehlinger run and the other on a completion to Brennan Eagles. The other two came in the second half with Texas down three scores.

No Longhorn receiver had more than 50 yards save Devin Duvernay. The Baylor defensive line disrupted Texas’ offensive line on pass and run plays. Baylor often only needed to rush three due to down and distance and their continual success.

“If you can’t get the running game going, it’s really difficult against a defense like that,” Herman said.

With only three rushing, eight

Kaeontay Iingram

Bear defenders were able to prevent any legitimate thirddown passing offense from

completely stifled Texas’ offense. Quarterback Sam

the Longhorns, save for some running back check downs

Ehlinger was sacked five times, intercepted once, and

and quarterback scrambles.

completed 22-of-37 passes for 200 yards.

The drop-eight coverage turned Ehlinger over early in

32

Texas eclipsed Baylor’s rushing total with 191 yards on

the fourth quarter, and the Bears capitalized with a field

37 attempts. However, most of those were accumulated

goal on the ensuing possession to accumulate their final

via Ingram’s run and on Ehlinger scrambles.

three points. On 2nd and 10 just inside Baylor territory,

inside texas

insidetexas.com

- texas vs baylor Ehlinger stepped up and tried to make the longest available throw on the field to Eagles. Baylor’s Grayland Arnold tracked the ball, elevated, and caught it after erasing the cushion Eagles created.

“I don’t know,” Ehlinger said when asked where the Longhorn offense has went down the stretch of the season. “I don’t. It’s very frustrating, very frustrating. Our defense is doing a great job of playing hard, and we’re not handling our side of the bargain.

We’ve got to take a lot of ownership in that and try to fix it.”

Two of Texas’ most successful plays on offense were the result of Ehlinger salvaging the play. The first was a seven-yard first quarter completion to Malcolm Epps after a mistimed snap from Zack Shackelford.

The second was when Ehlinger miraculously escaped the grasp of Baylor defenders in the end zone to find Epps again in the second quarter.

Parker Braun

“There in the fourth quarter to lose our composure was ridiculous, unacceptable, and will be dealt with punitively,”

The Longhorns held a Bear offense that scored 30 or

Herman said.

more points in six games to 24 points. The opening score came on the first play of the second quarter when Bay-

The loss drops Texas to 6-5 and 4-4 in Big 12 play. The

lor’s John Lovett followed his blockers for a 28-yard run.

Longhorns still have a matchup with Texas Tech on the day after Thanksgiving, and Herman was adamant in

BU quarterback Charlie Brewer was responsible for the

saying he expected max effort from his team despite the

other two touchdowns; one a third quarter punch-in from

season that has fallen short of lofty expectations.

the one-yard line, the other a 12-yard pass to Denzel Mims to make it 21-3.

“I’ll be damned if any of us throw in the towel because those guys deserve much more for everything that

Three different members of Texas’ starting offensive line,

they’ve done for this program since we’ve gotten here,”

Zach Shackelford, Derek Kerstetter, and Parker Braun,

Herman said. “They deserve and have earned the right

received personal foul penalties in the second half.

to have a very memorable senior day.”

Jean Delance

November 2019

33

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November 2019

34

November 2019

35

A STRONG FINISH SENIOR NIGH by

Joe Cook

AUSTIN - After each team’s first two drives, Texas Tech led Texas 14-0.

It was the second time this season the Longhorns trailed by two scores in the opening quarter at home, and like the previous occasion versus Kansas State, Texas recovered and earned a victory to clinch its third consecutive winning season.

LAWRENCE — With a spot in the Big 12 Championship on the line, all the Texas Longhorns had to do was get past Kansas. 3-8 Kansas. 1-7 in conference play Kansas. Lame duck coach Kansas

TEXAS KNEW WHAT OPPORTUNITY WAS AHEAD OF IT BEFORE ITS TOP 25 GAME WITH IOWA STATE. IF ANY LONGHORN DIDN’T, IT WAS UNAVOIDABLE IN PREGAME WHEN THE VIDEO BOARD SHOWED OKLAHOMA STATE TOPPING WEST VIRGINIA. IN THE GAME THEY PLAYED SATURDAY INSTEAD OF WATCHED, THE NO. 13 LONGHORNS SUFFOCATED THE NO. 18 IOWA STATE CYCLONES.

36

inside texas

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H ON SENIOR DAY HT SUCCESS

BY JOE COOK

EVEN WITH QUARTERBACK SAM EHLINGER NOT PLAYING IN THE SECOND HALF. THE LONGHORNS’ DEFENSE AND CONSISTENT RUNNING ATTACK SECURED A 24-10 WIN, AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TEXAS TO PLAY IN THE BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A WIN AT KANSAS.

Zach Shackelford (56) and Roschon Johnson (2)

November 2019

37

- texas vs texas tech -

T

he Texas defense allowed 10

Most of the seniors honored Friday start-

Ehlinger and Texas’ first opportunities

points after the first quarter,

ed their careers with a thrilling overtime

with the ball ended with one punt and

and a 610-yard day on offense

victory against Notre Dame, saw the

one failed quarterback sneak from under

with notable performances from Sam

head coach they signed with fired after

center.

Ehlinger, Devin Duvernay, and Roschon

his third season, and stuck around for

Johnson paced Texas to a 49-24 victory.

three more years in the program under

Meanwhile, the Red Raiders’ marched

Herman.

the ball at least 75 yards on their first two drives. Tech QB Jett Duffey found

A regular season ending with a 7-5 record wasn’t what Texas coach Tom

They experienced the highs and lows of

KeSean Carter for the first score, and

Herman wanted in his third year. He

a college football program yearning to

SaRodorick Thompson scored from 10

admitted multiple times after the game

get back to heights it believes it should

yards out for the second touchdown.

7-5 is not the standard at Texas, and he

reside.

The third Texas opportunity had its own

would evaluate the “whole program from the top down” after the season including

“Just something we can remember for

inauspicious start until Ehlinger found

looks at himself, his staff, the support

the rest of our lives; going out there at

Malcolm Epps for a 36-yard gain and a

staff, and anyone else involved in the

DKR and winning our first game, and

needed first down.

program.

going out and winning our last game,” Malcolm Roach said. “It was going out

“That was huge,” said Ehlinger, who

“But now is not the time to do that,” Her-

and playing for the team. Not a lot was

finished with 348 yards through the air,

man said. “Now is the time to celebrate

on the line, so we really had nothing to

83 yards on the ground, and three total

these seniors.”

lose.”

scores. “At the beginning, they were doing a little bit of the same stuff dropping a lot of guys into coverage.

That’s where you have to go with the ball in that cloud stuff. He did a great job of sitting in that hole and going up and getting the ball.”

From then on, essentially three quarters and three minutes, Texas accumulated 542 total yards.

It scored on that third drive via an Ehlinger rush, but Cameron Dicker missed the extra point to make it 14-6 Red Raiders.

Duvernay, who was one yard short of the first 200-yard game by a Texas receiver since 2009, showed up on the next drive. His 33-yard reception necessitated a good throw from Ehlinger,

Roschon Johnson

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inside texas

concentration on the catch, and

insidetexas.com

- texas vs texas tech proper footwork to stay in bounds. All

Texas defensive coordinator Todd

freshman T’Vondre Sweat putting his

three events occurred, and one play

Orlando’s side of the ball made up for its

name in the stat book with a fumble

later Daniel Young scored on a three-

first quarter troubles with a second half

recovery.

yard rush. Duvernay’s contributions to

where they held the Red Raiders 100

the drive weren’t completed yet, as he

yards under their first half total. Texas

Texas now waits to find out where it will

caught the two-point conversion attempt to tie the game at 14.

Texas Tech would find the end zone one more time on a Duffey pass to Erik Ezukanma midway through the second, but the score brought about an immediate Texas response.

Ehlinger found Duvernay deep for a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play following the ensuing kickoff. The oneplay drive tied the game at 21.

The Longhorn defense wouldn’t allow another touchdown.

“Those guys came out and hit us in the mouth early,” Roach said. “We said we’ve got to buckle up and be more physical than they were being.”

Johnson continued his remarkable

Malcolm Roach

freshman season following a position switch with the first of his three touchdowns from one yard out to complete

held Texas Tech to 63 fewer second half

play its bowl game. Houston, Memphis,

a 13-play, 74-yard drive just before

passing yards on 10 more attempts.

San Antonio, and Orlando are a handful

halftime. He finished with 105 yards, his

Texas Tech rushed for 54 yards in the

of the potential destinations. Those op-

second career 100-yard rushing game.

first half and managed 17 yards on the

tions are short of where Texas expected,

ground in the second.

but Herman believes his program is still

Momentum Texas brought with it into the

on the right path with him at the helm.

locker room returned to the field with the

“It was just us focusing up,” Joseph Os-

team in the second half. UT outscored

sai said. “We know what we can do. We

“The future is very, very bright,” Herman

the Red Raiders 21-3 in the final 30

know how we can play. We just had to

said. “But we’re not oblivious to the fact

minutes with Ehlinger finding Jake Smith

get focused back up.”

that we’ve got to evaluate what needs to

midway through the third, and Johnson

be fixed and fix it.”

adding two more scores for a trio of one-

Though Texas didn’t intercept Duffey,

yard touchdown runs on the day.

Marqez Bimage and Keondre Coburn both forced Red Raider fumbles, with Jean Delance

November 2019

39

POST-MORTEM |

O F F E N S E

by Scipio Tex That had to feel good for the Texas offense and the unit’s gradu-

see Texas reserves playing their first real minutes since La Tech

ating seniors. Texas needed a get right game for the O and

and Rice. While Tech was certainly without their best player on

Texas Tech is good for what ails ya.

defense, it’s worth noting that only one other Big 12 team has blown out Tech all year. That would be Oklahoma.

While my preview’s promise that Texas Tech has the worst pass defense and DL depth in the Big 12 proved true and Tech’s loss

After two frustrating opening possessions that ended with a punt

of Butkus semifinalist Jordyn Brooks made Tech’s paper thin

and a failed 4th down conversion, Sam Ehlinger’s hands (and

defense soggy with DKR rain, it was up to Texas to exploit it.

legs) and Devin Duvernay’s dominance over the Tech secondary (Tech’s cornerbacks are truly bad) made offensive produc-

That they did. Texas rushed for 262, threw for 348, and totaled

tion feel pretty much inevitable once Sam started throwing a

610 yards at 8.0 yards per play on their way to 49 points de-

wet ball around like he was playing 7 on 7 in a dome. Roschon

spite a 4th quarter spent largely icing the ball. Texas dropped

Johnson chipped in with some physical between the tackles

36 points on Tech in the decisive 2nd and 3rd quarters (and

running and pretty soon the Texas offense looked like a horse

outscored them 35-3 after being down 21-14) and it was nice to

without its reins.

ROSCHON JOHNSON

40

inside texas

insidetexas.com

QB

line situations. He brings some much needed emotional fire as

Tech’s pass defense can’t handle real passing games, but Sam

well. Sometimes he gets a little caught in the chaff and garbage

was absolutely on point on several deep throws and was a slick

inside instead of using his eyes, high feet, and instincts to find a

11 of 14 for 218 in the first half with another 64 yards rushing.

better crease.

The balls he put on Duvernay for the 75 yard touchdown and on Jake Smith’s outside shoulder in the end zone were top notch,

That written, 105 yards and 3 touchdowns is damn fine work

along with several other accurate strikes. Sam really punished

and the nuances of the position will come to anyone with as

Tech with his legs, totaling 83 yards on 10 carries.

much heart and work ethic as #2. His body language when Tech interfered with him right in front of the official on a Sam check

Factor in his sack and he was well over 9 yards per carry with

down was amusing. The injustice!

a long of 18 yards. He did most of his ground damage as a run game constraint and running power lead tied to a RPO. That

Props to Daniel Young for serving as a late game finisher on a

missing latter ingredient was key and I can only wonder why

bone tired Tech defense. That’s a role I had envisioned him in.

those sorts of defensive stress calls are periodically absent

Better late than never. Nice to see a team guy rewarded with 8

from the Texas game plan. In the passing game, Ehlinger was

carries at just over 5 yards a pop.

a hyper efficient 19 of 28 for 348 yards for two touchdowns and added another two scores on the ground. Aside from a bad sack and sweet reverse flea flicker pass call where he bypassed a wide open Roschon Johnson, he was Sam The Man for four quarters. Nearly 13 yards per attempt doesn’t lose football games.

To the staff’s credit, they changed Ehlinger’s launch points a few times against Tech blitzes and the extra time worked to free Texas receivers.

In 12 games, #11 has accounted for 4,052 total yards and 35 touchdowns with a 2.0% interception percentage....and Texas is 7-5. Wouldn’t have guessed that if you threw those numbers at me in preseason.

SAM EHLINGER

WR/TE Malcolm Epps had a nice long catch in traffic on a money

Casey Thompson is quick, isn’t he? He adds some wiggle and

Ehlinger throw against Drop 8 coverage, but he needs to play

quickness in the option game.

with aggression through pass interference instead of feeling the interference and lobbying. He’s more likely to get the call if he

RB

finishes the play. And hell, he may make the play anyway.

It was the Roschon Johnson show once Ingram went out with a ding. #2 really did a nice job of maximizing runs through contact

Devin Duvernay had a fitting cap to a breakout season. 6-199-1

and powering through free defenders in short yardage and goal

td and he did it while a little bit banged up. What a pleasant

November 2019

41

DEVIN DUVERNAY

senior surprise after his yeoman’s work last year. He now has 103 catches for 1294 yards and 8 touchdowns on the season.

Burt. Texas needs to continue that trend in the bowl game. .

If anyone predicted that stat line for Duve, please take a bow. A

OL

rest before the bowl game will do him well.

A solid game after a very slow start. Pad level has gotten worse over the course of the season, most evident when Tech stuffed

Jake Smith shook off the freshman doldrums enough to nab

a Sam Ehlinger sneak on 4th and 1. I hope Hand will bring these

3 balls for 57 yards including a sweet pitch and catch from

guys back to the chute and remind them that low man wins in

Ehlinger for a touchdown. Great confidence booster for #16 as

the running game. Too much initial contact followed by settling

that’s a catch he has dropped a couple of times. He finishes the

for a lock out tie at the point of attack.

regular season with six touchdown catches.

That written, Tech’s DL did almost nothing as pass rushers Eagles was quiet and solid. He got a ticky tack blocking penalty

once the Longhorn OL settled in and Keith Patterson’s blitzes

that erased a big Duvernay pass play. Duve probably gave him

didn’t get home at all. Clean pockets and easy throwing lanes.

a little grief for keeping him under 200 yards receiving.

Angilau’s holding call derailed a drive, but it’s nice to see the big man back at guard.

Texas was able to get Jared Wiley matched up on smalls in

42

the running game and he did a respectable job in that tasking.

FINAL

Thanks Tech tight front and Texas passing game. When he drew

Texas will have new direction on offense soon. Those incoming

a pass blocking assignment early, he gave up a free rusher who

coaches will be pretty pleased with the core material they get

flushed and sacked Ehlinger. Clearly he and Sam Cosmi had

to work with and the position coaches that carry over will have

a miscommunication on that play. Earned a 15 yard catch as a

a lot to prove if Texas is going to get out of its schematic and

reward for his later game effort.

development ruts.

Marcus Washington flashed a little and got more run than John

Let’s build on it with a bowl win..

inside texas

insidetexas.com

November 2019

43

POST-MORTEM |

D E F E N S E

MORO OJOMO (98) AND MALCOLM ROACH (32)

The Longhorn defense was gashed in the first half by the Red

Fortunately, Texas got the time out before Duffey noticed.

Raiders, conceding touchdowns on Tech’s first two offensive drives and 21 points in the first half overall.

At halftime, Tech QB Jett Duffey was a blazing hot 16 of 24 for 231 yards and two touchdowns passing while workmanlike

Fortunately, a Duffey unforced wet ball fumble while Tech was

Sa’dorick Thompson (Tech’s only available scholarship RB) had

driving for another score (Bimage recovered on the UT26)

10 carries for 62 yards, including a touchdown run against the

bailed out Orlando and the Longhorn defense from potential

sort of pathetic edge defense that has plagued Orlando’s unit all

halftime crisis mode. Duffey also missed an open receiver in the

year. He also reversed field on another long run that showed no

end zone and didn’t spy an uncovered Tech receiver before the

backside edge containment. You guys may have absorbed my

snap later near the goal line. No Longhorn defender was within

critique on this issue by now.

twenty yards.

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inside texas

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JOSEPH OSSAI (46) AND D’SHAWN JAMISON (5)

The Red Raider passing game attacked open spaces near the

While Tech was still very effective driving the ball between the

sticks on money downs and repeatedly targeted the outside DB

20s in the 3rd quarter, the defense played lights out in the 4th

boundary defender (usually Jamison, once a rolled over Sterns)

quarter as the Texas offense went conservative. Tech’s last four

in man coverage as the Longhorn deep safety repeatedly bit

drives totaled 11 plays for 18 yards.

inside.

DL

If the outside corner knew he had no help at all, his alignment

Marqez Bimage filled up the box score like no other time in his

and disposition didn’t show it. Baylor made a lot of hay attacking

Longhorn career. #42 deserves a victory lap for his hustle and

the same look last week with Mims and it’s clear that Orlando

effort. He had a forced fumble, a recovered fumble, a sack, two

and Texas were targeted expecting the same Longhorn (non)

strong QB hits, and a tipped ball. Outstanding effort, often from

adjustment. Tech wideout Kesean Carter had 125 yards receiv-

a 3 man rush.

ing at halftime with a touchdown and Ezukanma had 63 and another trip to pay dirt.

Roach went out at DKR with some big plays of his own, showing excellent pursuit while procuring 2 tackles for loss and a sack.

Fortunately, the Texas offense quickly got the defense a com-

Ojomo, Coburn and Graham also all inflicted negative plays.

manding lead and Orlando was able to call second half defense

Sweat recovered a fumble. Overall, a fine effort from the Texas

that ignored any Red Raider running game threat (with the help

DL against a pretty decent Tech front 5.

of Thompson being hobbled), while mixing in much heavier doses of Drop 8 zone coverages that still saw Longhorn pass

LB

rushers get some pocket push.

Adeoye’s best hit was a friendly fire strike on Caden Sterns’ ribs.

He had two PBUs and showed decently active hands and feet

Tech was held to 3 second half points and Duffey’s sizzling start

in his drops. When he wasn’t run blitzed, he was ineffective. Joe

regressed to the mean with a 20 of 34 for 168 yard second half

Ossai had four tackles playing predominantly off the ball. He’s

passing effort. Texas got very basic on defense, put eyes on the

essentially being penalized by our scheme for his versatility.

QB, got really solid play from the DL, and blitzed as an effective change up.

The Texas LBs either 1) blitz or 2) drop. Tech certainly game planned that in the first half.

November 2019

45

First half edge containment when the play side LB had responsibility in our tite front was poor. That defender is supposed to be looking for the bounce out - it’s how that defense works.

That’s the spill that characterizes the defense when the DL do their job. The DL did their job. Every time that outside defender seems utterly shocked to see that spill. As this happened consistently, I cannot fault the athletes. It’s clearly not taught.

DBs Overshown always passes my “Holy Moly That Guy Is Quick” eye test, even if it’s not clear he knows what’s going on. To me, his attributes scream covered up Mike LB to let him attack from sideline to sideline when we see spread offenses. He had 4 tackles and a pass breakup sort of just running around. His quickness also drew a hold on a Tech 4th and 1 play. It’s notable that when he tackles guys, they always get up hurting. He hurt three different Tech players.

Brandon Jones played hard, racking up an incredible 11 solo tackles. Once again, he showed terrible tackling form on Tech’s 4th string safety-playing-RB near the boundary. Head down, neck exposed, leaving feet before contact. Basically, a neck extended dive. Get that head up and run through contact or he’s

DEMARVION OVERSHOWN

going to hurt something more serious than a shoulder.

Chris Brown got after it and his mistakes were all full speed. His intensity played a big role in getting the defense to play harder and more soundly after some ugly first half possessions. He had 9 solo tackles and some really good pops out there. Tech iso’d him on a key 4th and 4 and Brown was step for step the whole way blanketing the Tech WR. Jamison struggled when exposed on the sideline by himself, but when Texas gave him a real cover over the top, he was effective earning two PBU’s, including a fine play in the end zone.

Boyce was OK, but it’s not clear that he understands how his role changes in zone. I could probably levy that criticism across the board.

Kenyatta Watson competed and had a strong end zone PBU in 1 on 1 coverage. He got beat on some plays that Duffey that didn’t connect on, but it’s nice to get him some seasoning.

Caden Sterns got hit hard in the ribs by Adeoye and didn’t look great after. Tech targeted him on a 3rd and 2 9 route for a big gain.

46

inside texas

The staff had Foster playing deep quite a bit, which was interesting.

SPECIAL TEAMS Estell had a weird punt interference miscue that gave Tech the ball deep in Longhorn territory and Reese Leitao didn’t get a hand on an outside Tech defender, resulting in a blocked XP.

FINAL The Texas defense surrendered 470 yards and looked truly awful in the first half (and it could have been much worse), but they prevented Tech from scoring touchdowns on three third quarter drives (14-57, 12-70, 7-39) and then actually played real football in the 4th quarter to hold the Red Raiders to 24 points overall.

This is a unit that certainly benefits from playing with a lead.

Schematic simplicity seem to suit their current level of development.

It’ll be interesting to see what new faces and voices on the defensive coaching staff and some time off before the bowl game will yield here in terms of game planning and progress.

insidetexas.com