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TYRONE SWOOPES TAKES OVER AS QB
OCTOBER 2014
27 The Longhorns’ defense took North Texas down with ease.
CONTENTS FEATURES
27 FOOTBALL
Down but Not Out The first three games of the 2014 football season sent Texas fans on an emotional rollercoaster. After a dominating win against North Texas in the season opener, the Longhorns seemed to crumble against BYU. The team pulled it together in time for the UCLA game, but injuries and attrition to the team roster left a young squad on the field, and the Bruins took advantage of the Longhorns’ inexperience. In our in-depth review of the first three games, Associate Editor Steve Habel looks at what went right — and wrong — during each contest, as well as the Longhorns’ plan to fight back to the top.
32 SOCCER Heart and Heartbreak Last year, the Texas soccer team had a chance to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time under head coach Angela Kelly. But when the committee announced the selections for the 2013-14 season, Texas wasn’t on the list. Heartbroken, the Longhorns walked away knowing an opportunity had slipped by — and that it would not happen again. The willingness and desire to reach the tournament carries over to this season, with 21 players returning from last season’s squad. And while the names remain the same, the team made some key changes in the offseason that will only guarantee success in 2014.
36 FOOTBALL Countdown to the Showdown The annual AT&T Red River Showdown remains one of the most anticipated games of the year. Oklahoma and Texas meet for the 109th time this season, with the Longhorns looking to snag a second consecutive win. In our annual Showdown preview, we analyze the opponent, look at the rivalry’s history and take a step outside the fair grounds to showcase everything Dallas has to offer.
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M A RK YO U R C A LE N D A R
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RO U N D U P
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S P I RI T O F T HE M O N T H
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M E D I A VO I C E S
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T HE HA B E O N T HE HO RN S
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I N S E A S O N — Cross Country
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YO U N G GU N — Chloe Collins
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FI N A L S C O RE
COVER PHOTO: PATRICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS
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FIRST
LOOK This This season, season, the the Texas Texas football football team team isn’t isn’t just just facing facing off off against against its its conference conference foes foes and and battling battling for for better better stats stats — — the the team team isis also also fighting fighting perception. perception. Under Under the the guidance guidance of of the the new new coaching coaching staff, staff, the the Longhorns Longhorns look look to to rebuild rebuild their their winning winning tradition tradition and and change change the the public’s public’s view view of of the the program. program. And And with with this this goal goal in in mind, mind, the the team team took took aa step step in in the the right right direcdirection tion with with its its dominating dominating 38-7 38-7 win win over over the the North North Texas Texas in in its its 2014 2014 season season opener. opener.
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CALENDAR MARK YOUR
OCTOBER 2014
OCTOBER
1
Volleyball
UT vs. Iowa State 7 p.m.
3
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18–21
UT vs. Texas Tech 7 p.m.
USTA/ITA Texas Regional Championship College Station All Day
Volleyball
10
W Soccer
UT vs. Kansas 7 p.m.
UT at Iowa State Ames, Iowa 7 p.m.
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4
UT vs. Oklahoma Cotton Bowl Dallas TBA
Football
UT vs. Baylor 2:30 p.m.
4–6
W GolF
PR EVIOUS S PREAD : ALL PHOT OS DON BENDER. T HIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FR OM LEF T: JES SE DROHEN, DON BENDER, COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY
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Schooner Fall Classic Norman, Okla. All Day
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Volleyball
UT at Kansas Lawrence, Kan. 1 p.m.
6–8
M GolF
Swoosh Tournament Fort Worth All Day
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Volleyball
UT vs. Baylor 7 p.m.
Football
M tenniS
20
W Soccer
UT vs. Arkansas Little Rock 7 p.m.
22
Volleyball
UT vs. TCU 7 p.m.
11–12
24
Schlief Tennis Invite Nacogdoches All Day
UT at Oklahoma Norman, Okla. 7 p.m.
W tenniS
WHAT’S GOING ON IN LONGHORN SPORTS
Soccer
12–14
24/25
26–28
Betsy Rawls Invitational UT Golf Club All Day
Indiana, Michigan & Louisville Ann Arbor, Mich. All Day
Alamo Invitational San Antonio All Day
W GolF
W SWiMMinG & DiVinG
W GolF
16–20
25
27
ITA Texas Regional Championship Waco All Day
UT at Kansas State Manhattan, Kan. TBA
UT vs. Zhejiang (Chinese Club Team) 7 p.m.
W tenniS
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W SWiMMinG & DiVinG
Orange-White (E) 3 p.m. W Soccer
UT at TCU Fort Worth 7 p.m.
17–19 M GolF
Football
Volleyball
UT vs. Oklahoma 6 p.m.
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W Soccer
UT at Baylor Waco 1 p.m.
John Harris will continue making an offensive impact this October.
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W Soccer
Volleyball
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Volleyball
UT vs. Zhejiang (Chinese Club Team) 7 p.m.
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W SWiMMinG & DiVinG
UT at Stanford Stanford, Calif. 5 p.m.
UT vs. Oklahoma State 7 p.m. W SWiMMinG & DiVinG
UT at Berkeley Berkeley, Calif. 2 p.m.
(E)=Exhibition Game INFORMATION IS BASED ON AVAILABLE SCHEDULES AT PRESS TIME AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK WWW.TEXASSPORTS. COM FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
U.S. Collegiate Atlanta, Ga. All Day
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Football
UT vs. Iowa State 7 p.m. M/ W croSS country
NCAA Pre-Nationals Terre Haute, Ind. TBA Volleyball
UT at Kansas State Manhattan, Kan. 7 p.m.
The fourth-ranked men’s golf team plays in the Swoosh Tournament Oct. 6–8.
Julia Dyche looks to stay ahead of the competition during Big 12 play.
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ROUNDUP OCTOBER 2014
SOCCER SETS A PRECEDENT // STRONG’S THOUGHTS ON BYU // BEDFORD SPEAKS OUT TO FANS
B ET HAN Y W ALT E R/UN IV . OF TE X AS
EARLY RISERS The Texas soccer team captured another victory during the 2014 non-conference season when senior Brooke Gilbert scored on a penalty kick and junior Chantale Campbell scored in the 90th minute against Montana on Sept. 7. With the 2-0 win, the Longhorns remained undefeated through their first six matches this season. The team’s record as of Sept. 8 (4-0-2) marks only the second time in program history that the Longhorns have started a season winning six straight. The last time the squad accomplished such a feat was in 2008, when the team began the year 5-0-1. The win also allowed the Longhorns to remain undefeated over their last 13 matches at home since the beginning of the 2013 campaign. Texas out-shot the Grizzlies by a total of 23-6 for the match, with a 14-1 advantage over the second 45 minutes of play. Texas also managed a commanding 10-1 lead on penalty kicks. Gilbert now has four goals on the year — two of those of the penalty kick variety — on just five total shots, while Campbell’s score was her second of the season. Junior goalkeeper Abby Smith made a pair of saves in posting her third clean sheet of the season and the 18th of her career.
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FOOTBALL
NEUTRAL TERRITORY ASH IS OUT, SWOOPES IS IN THE VERDICT is in — quarterback David Ash has made the decision to end his
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ACK BROWN’S new television sidekick Danny Kanell knows the former Texas coach will always be in a tough spot. “If he praises Texas, he’s a homer,” Kanell said, “and if he’s tough, then people will say he’s mad at the way things ended.” That’s why Brown plans to talk about Texas and head coach Charlie Strong as little as possible in his new role as a college football analyst. “Charlie’s a great coach and has a tremendous background,” Brown said. “He and I made an agreement early — and I suggested it — that I not talk about Texas.” Still, everyone is curious what Brown must think of Strong’s disciplinary decisions, including dismissing eight players since the end of last season. Up until recently, Brown went out of his way to avoid talking about Texas in any public forum. Many columnists around the state have pegged Brown as a potential TV superstar for his down-home charm and knowledge of the game. But don’t expect him to push Texas on TV the way Lee Corso does Florida State. “I plan to be a college football analyst for ESPN and ABC — not the ex-coach of Texas,” Brown said. “I will not have favorites. They asked me to be honest and give my true opinions.” And Brown’s pick to win the Big 12 this season? “You have to talk about Oklahoma as the favorite for the way they finished the season,” Brown said.
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football career. According to head coach Charlie Strong, the Longhorns will push ahead with Tyrone Swoopes as the starting quarterback.
Ash appeared in only four games since the start of the 2013 season. He was cleared to return this season and played in Texas’ season-opening win over North Texas. Ash later reported headaches and dizziness after the game and never returned to the field.
ON THE RECORD:
“Stay at home? What do you mean, stay at home? I hear that the state of Texas is all about football. Friday Night Lights. The University of Texas. What do you mean we have 9,000 tickets left? People out there — get off your duff and go buy these tickets. It should be standing room only. If not, don’t complain, don’t say anything. Get in the stands right now.” – With about 9,000 tickets remaining for the season opener against North Texas, defensive coordinator VANCE BEDFORD issued a statement to the Longhorn nation.
THIS SPR EAD C LOCKWISE FRO M LEFT : COURTESY UT ATHLET ICS PHOT OGRAPHY, DON BENDER, UT ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY, JESSE DROHEN, JIM SIGMON/UNIV. OF TEXAS
A TURN OF EVENTS: Mack Brown will need to retire his burnt orange attire while on air for ESPN.
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STRONG INTUITION
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THE LONGHORNS failed to play their best ball against BYU, but Strong said he saw that coming before the team even hit the field.
Strong’s failed motivational ploy. He placed signs in the locker room displaying stats from last year’s game — like BYU’s 550 rushing yards and 679 total yards — as both a taunting reminder and a test. “Anywhere else, some player would’ve tore all that down and probably would’ve burned it in the locker room,” Strong said. “No one did anything. I wanted to see what we would do.” The players, unaware of Strong’s goal, let it slide. Cornerback Quandre Diggs and linebacker Jordan Hicks joked that they didn’t like the signs, but didn’t know if yanking them down would get them in trouble.
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES
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Strong’s suspicion his players weren’t putting in extra time in the film room.
RE THE Texas football facilities about to get a facelift?
Evidently so. Men’s athletic director Steve Patterson told SiriusXM College Sports Nation that the university plans on spending around $750 million over the next 6-8 years on facilities, including the completion of a new volleyball practice facility, a new tennis center, the eventual construction of a new basketball arena and a south end zone project at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium that includes upgrades to the Moncrief Complex. Patterson didn’t make any statements regarding the specifics but he noted that the Moncrief Complex is due for some improvement. Virtually every other Big 12 school, most notably Baylor and TCU in recent years as well as Texas A&M in the Southeastern Conference, has made facilities upgrades that have left Texas’ sports complex looking out of date. While the Longhorns could use a boost in the cosmetic look of their facilities, Strong wants to make sure that his program doesn’t fall into the trap of being all hat and no cattle. “If a young man is coming here for a facility, he’s coming here for the wrong reason,” Strong said. “I want him to come here because he loves Texas. I want him to come here because he wants to get an education and play for this great university.”
ROUNDUP
OCTOBER 2014
“I told them, ‘How many of you guys really came by here last week and just looked at tape?’ Not many hands were raised,” he said.
His team wasn’t in the right mindset during pregame warm-ups. HEAVY HITTER: Desmond Jackson is anything but soft.
“I told the team that we weren’t ready to play. Our focus wasn’t there,” Strong added.
READY FOR CHANGE DEFENSIVE tackle Desmond
Jackson has heard the criticism. After games like BYU last season, when the Cougars ran for 550 yards, the naysayers were unavoidable. This season, Jackson and the Texas defense are ready to change their image. “I’m tired of everyone saying that Texas’ defense is soft,” Jackson said. “That’s the No. 1 thing I hear. To call the defense ‘soft’ after all of the hard work we’ve put in, I feel like we have more to prove this year than we have in previous years.”
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SOCCER, CROSS COUNTRY & GOLF
BEST IN GOAL
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S A RESULT of her outstanding play during the last
weekend of August, junior Abby Smith was selected as the lone goalkeeper out of 11 inclusions in the Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week. The Plano, Texas, native opened the weekend by making a season-high seven stops in helping her squad shut out No. 22 Arkansas in a 0-0 (double overtime) draw. During a match-up against Nevada, the preseason All-Big 12 Conference selection was called upon to corral five more shots on frame, giving her 17 stops on the season. Smith has already made quite a name for herself during the early campaign, not just for her ability between the pipes, but also for scoring her second career goal on a 45-yard free kick in a 2-2 (double overtime) game against Arizona State on Aug. 22.
IN MEMORIAM:
PIPER WAGNER
FORMER GOLFER and alumna Piper Wagner passed away Aug. 23 after battling lung cancer. A fouryear letterwinner (1988-92) at Texas, she earned All-Southwest Conference honors during her senior season in 1991-92 and placed second individually at the 1992 Southwest Conference Championship. Wagner went on to play professionally in 1997. She worked at country clubs around the nation before becoming one of a few head woman golf professionals in Northern California. Wagner most recently served as a golf professional at Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, Calif. She was 45 years old.
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ALL THE RIGHT MOVES: Abby Smith is no longer just blocking goals — she’s making them as well. She made her second career goal against Arizona State on Aug. 22.
Going the Distance FORMER TRACK &FIELD standout Leo
Manzano announced a partnership with Marathon Kids on Aug. 25. Manzano, a two-time Olympian, will serve as the organization’s national celebrity ambassador for the 2014-15 program year. “It’s an honor for me to become a part of this mission,” Manzano said. “Marathon Kids is an amazing organization that not only encourages children to adopt healthy habits by setting physical activity and healthy eating goals, but they offer support and tools to help them achieve those goals. It’s great to be a small part of a child’s success.” Marathon Kids will host the Austin Kick-Off Ceremony on Oct. 25 at Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium. While a member of the Texas track & field team, Manzano supported Marathon Kids beginning in 2005. Since then, he’s attended several events to continue his involvement, encouraging K-5th graders to become healthy advocates through the 26.2 Mile Challenge.
MARATHON KIDS: Former Longhorn Leo Manzano will serve as the national celebrity ambassador for Marathon Kids this calendar year.
“We’re excited to have Leo officially come on board; he’s a great role model for our Marathon Kids,” Executive Director Christine Pollei said. “The example he sets as a health champion, as someone who started running with his teachers and classmates, makes a real impact. We’re delighted he has chosen to include us and all of our kids on his road to becoming one of the top runners in the world.” – ANDY GONZALEZ
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VOLLEYBALL & BASKETBALL
ROUNDUP
OCTOBER 2014
MAKING MOVES
THIS SPREAD CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY, BETHANY WALTER/UNIV. OF TEXAS, PATRICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS, JESSE DROHEN, BETHANY WALTER/UNIV. OF TEXAS
Taking Longhorn Pride to the Next Level
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ORMER WOMEN’S basketball letterwinner GiGi Mazionyte (2012-14) signed a professional contract with Instituto de Fertilidad on the island of Mallorca, Spain. “The experience of playing professionally in Europe is something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and to finally sign a contract is a great feeling,” Mazionyte said. “I can’t wait to arrive in Spain and see what the season will be like.” Instituto de Fertilidad competes in the Spanish Liga Femenina 2 (Women’s League 2). The league’s regular season begins on Oct. 25 and concludes in April. Mazionyte is the second Longhorn from the class of 2014 to sign a professional contract, joining Chassidy Fussell of Universitatea Goldis ICIM Arad in Romania. Mazionyte concluded her two-year career at Texas with 169 points and 101 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range (28-68 3FG). She was named Academic All-Big 12 First Team as a senior. Prior to arriving on the 40 Acres, the Palanga, Lithuania, native spent two years at Weatherford (Texas) College and competed for the Lithuanian National Team from 2007-12.
CHEVROLET has revealed a very big — and very orange — truck to coincide with the start of Texas football season. The University of Texas Longhorns Silverado is a special edition truck with all the fixings a true Texas fan needs. The package features Sunset Orange Metallic exterior paint, special Texas graphics on the pickup bed, as well as tailgate and chrome side steps. “This is an exciting way for Longhorns everywhere to show their Texas pride as they cruise America’s highways and byways, and I’m glad to see that Bevo XIV will continue to ride in style,” men’s athletic director Steve Patterson said. Silverado is also the official truck of Bevo. The special edition package hit the market nationwide this October. • The Longhorn volleyball team has won a total of three national championships in program history. Texas captured the AIAW National Championship in 1981 and also won NCAA Championships in both 1988 and 2012. RICH TRADITION: The Texas volleyball team has won 20 conference champion• Texas has advanced to nine NCAA Semifinals, 19 NCAA ships throughout the duration of the Regional finals and 26 NCAA Regional semifinals in program. program history. The program is a perfect 27-0 in NCAA Tournament first round play. • Texas is the only school in the nation that has advanced to the NCAA Regional finals in each of the last eight NCAA Championships [2006-13]. • The Longhorns are one of just three teams located east of California to win a NCAA Championship, joining Nebraska and Penn State. • Texas ranks eighth in NCAA Division I history in all-time wins (1,103) and ninth in winning percentage (.750). • In its 40 years of volleyball, Texas has produced 39 All-Americans who have earned a total of 65 AllAmerican honors. • The Longhorns have won 20 conference championships, including seven Big 12 titles and 13 Southwest Conference Championships. • Head coach Jerritt Elliott has landed a top-five recruiting class in eight of the last nine seasons.
DID YOU KNOW?
OCTOBER 2014
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UTSA
W SOCCER
BLOCK GOINGVISION: DOWN IN David HISTORY: AnzalduaAfter joins taking theadvantage Roadrunners of a bad at offensive snap, David tackle. Glasco made the first touchdown of UTSA’s 2014 season — as well as the first in the University of Houston’s new stadium.
CALENDAR OCTOBER 2014 FOOTBALL
4: vs. New Mexico, 2:30 p.m. 11: vs. Florida International, 6 p.m. 18: at Louisiana Tech, Ruston, La., TBA 25: vs. UTEP , 6 p.m. SOCCER
3: vs. Rice, 7 p.m. 5: vs. North Texas, 1 p.m. 10: at Marshall, Huntington, W.Va., 6 p.m. 12: at Western Kentucky, Bowling Green, Ky., 1 p.m. 19: at UTEP, El Paso, 2 p.m. 24: vs. Florida International, 7 p.m. 26: vs. Florida Atlantic, 1 p.m. 30: vs. Southern Miss, 7 p.m. VOLLEYBALL
NEW SEASON, NEW OUTCOME
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3: at Middle Tennessee, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 7 p.m. 5: vs. UTEP, 1 p.m. 10: at Louisiana Tech, Ruston, La., 7 p.m. 12: at UAB, Birmingham, Ala., 1 p.m. 17: vs. Western Kentucky, 7 p.m. 19: vs. Rice, 1 p.m. 24: at Marshall, Huntington, W.Va., 5 p.m. 26: at Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C., Noon M/W CROSS COUNTRY
11: Incarnate Word Invitational, Live Oak, 8 a.m. 17: Crimson Classic, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 5:30 p.m.
BY STEPHEN WHITAKER
HE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON football fans expected for the evening of Aug. 29 to end on a high note. The Cougars gathered in their new on-campus TDECU Stadium to open the 2014 football season against UTSA — a game many expected for Houston to win. But the UTSA football team rolled over Houston in a 27-7 win that will forever live on in the Cougars’ program history books. “We beat a good football team tonight,” head coach Larry Coker said. “Last season they led the nation in turnover margin with plus 25. We caught them at a good time.” UTSA set a school record with six forced turnovers, including a fumble on a bad Cougar snap in the first quarter. The fumble gave David Glasco the first touchdown in the new stadium, putting the Roadrunners on the board, 7-0.
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“It feels great but I feel disappointed I couldn’t get more yards,” Glasco said. “If 81 yards on 25 carries is what’s required to earn a victory, then so be it — I’ll do whatever it takes to get the victory.” Roadrunner fans experienced a bit of déjà vu as last season the team took a 7-0 lead at home against the Cougars. Yet UTSA lost 59-28, with 28 of Houston’s points coming in the fourth quarter on four Roadrunner turnovers. This season’s game had a very different outcome. This time, the Cougars couldn’t hold onto the football. By halftime the Roadrunners held a 14-0 lead. UTSA nearly doubled that lead in the second half, but two drives resulted in field goals and the Roadrunners increased their score to 27-0. UTSA came within 1:04 of claiming the school’s first-ever shutout but Cougar backup quarterback Billy Cosh threw a touchdown pass after most of the Houston fans were already heading for the exits.
THE ROADRUNNER women’s soccer team began its eighth season with a 1-0 double-overtime victory over the Houston Baptist Huskies on Aug. 24. Kaytee O’Brien scored the winning goal in the 103rd minute of the game. Goalkeeper Katherine Tesno earned her first career shutout with five saves on the night. UTSA earned its sixth consecutive win at home dating back to the 2013 season. After 90 scoreless minutes, the match went to overtime, where Houston Baptist was the aggressor early on. The Huskies outshot the Roadrunners 5-1 in the first extra session, which ended with no score. In the second overtime, O’Brien and the Roadrunners wasted no time in securing their first overtime victory since a 1-0 triumph over Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 3, 2011, in the Southland Conference tournament.
VOLLEYBALL THE UTSA VOLLEYBALL team avenged last season’s first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament on Aug. 30 with a five-set victory at Texas A&M in the final match of the seasonopening Texas A&M Invitational. The win was the Roadrunners’ firstever victory against the Aggies. UTSA took the first two sets (28-26 and 25-16) before Texas A&M took the third and fourth sets (25-16 and 25-23). The Roadrunners then took the match with a 15-12 fifth set win. The Roadrunners concluded the tournament in second place and placed two players on the all-tournament team, as Marijeta Runjic and Jessica Waldrip were recognized for their efforts. Runjic led the Roadrunner offense with her second doubledouble of the fall, as she tallied 24 kills to go along with 16 digs and three blocks. Meanwhile, Kylie Schott registered a dozen kills and was perfect on the day en route to hitting a match-high .462 attack percentage. Waldrip posted her second double-double of the weekend with 56 assists and 19 digs.
FROM LEFT: COUR TES Y JEFF HUEHN/UTS A ATHLET IC S
OCTOBER 2014
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UTSA ROUNDUP
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UTA
OCTOBER 2014
RUNNING STRONG: Hannah Nilsson and the women’s cross country team will chase the Sun Belt Conference Title this fall.
CALENDAR OCTOBER 2014 VOLLEYBALL
3: at Arkansas-Little Rock, Little Rock, Ark. 7 p.m. 5: at Arkansas State, Jonesboro, Ark. 1 p.m. 8: vs. Texas State, 6:30 p.m. 10: at South Alabama, Mobile, Ala., 6 p.m. 12: vs. Appalachian State, Noon 17: vs. Arkansas State, 6:30 p.m. 19: at Troy, Troy, Ala., Noon 24: vs. Georgia Southern, 6:30 p.m. 26: at Louisiana-Monroe, Monroe, La. Noon
UTA ROUNDUP BASKETBALL FORMER UT ARLINGTON
basketball player
LaMarcus Reed extended his professional career
by signing with Aris Thessaloniki, traditionally one of the most powerful teams in the Greek League. Reed arrives after playing last season with Etha, in Cyprus, averaging 14.2 points and seven rebounds per game. Reed, who played in 2013 for the Portland Trailblazers’ summer league team, started his professional career with the Antwerp Giants of the Belgium Basketball League’s first division. “I’m excited to be a part of a good league and compete against some of the top teams in Europe like Olympiacos and Panathinaikos,” Reed said. A first-team All-Southland Conference honoree as a senior in 2011, Reed led the SLC in scoring, averaging 20.4 points per game against conference opposition.
M TENNIS
18-20: ITA Texas Regionals, College Station, All Day W TENNIS
ALL ABOUT THE NUMBERS
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3-5: BJK USTA College Invitational New York, N.Y., All Day 16-20: ITA Texas Regionals, Waco, All Day M GOLF
5-7: Utah Invitational, Park City, Utah, All Day 13-14: Miramont Invitational, Bryan, All Day CROSS COUNTRY
18: Pre-National Invitational, Terre Haute, Ind., 10 a.m.
COURTESY ELLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY/ UTA ATHLETICS
BY STEVE LANSDALE
ITH THE TOP RUNNERS from both the men’s and women’s cross country teams back for another season, UT Arlington dominated the Sun Belt Conference’s preseason predictions. Each team started the season ranked in the same position in which it ended in last year. The men’s team won the Sun Belt’s conference championship last fall and was predicted to repeat as the league’s best team this season. The women, who finished as the runner-up, earned a second-place position in the preseason voting coming into this year. The men’s vote went unquestioned, with the Mavericks claiming all nine first-place votes in the coaches’ poll. UTA easily pulled away from preseason runner-up Arkansas-Little Rock and South Alabama. The Mavericks had five all-conference selections a year ago, including Craig Lautenslager (who finished second for the individual crown), Ryan Tilotta (third) and Emil Blomberg (fifth). The quintet
of all-conference honorees, which also included Eric Ojeda and Virgilio Martinez, returns in its entirety this season. The race in the women’s poll was close, with UTA tying with Arkansas State for the most points in the preseason poll. The Red Wolves earned the first-place position, however, because they received more first-place votes (six) than UTA (four). The women’s team welcomed back four all-conference honorees — Hannah Nilsson, Gabriela Alfonzo, Ashly Wright and Katelyn Hayward — from last year’s team. “We’re excited about both of our teams,” coach John Sauerhage said. “But we know first-hand just how good the Sun Belt Conference is, and we understand that we have a lot of work ahead of us.” UTA had a great start to the 2014 season when both teams competed at the Bear Twilight Invitational in Waco. The men placed second among five teams, while the women took third out of six squads. Tilotta and Nilsson set the pace for both teams, earning fourth-place finishes.
VOLLEYBALL UT ARLINGTON opened the 2014 volleyball season with a convincing 25-8, 25-17, 25-18 victory over Incarnate Word in the College Park Maverick Classic. The Mavericks increased their winning streak in home openers to five when they beat the Cardinals in the first-ever meeting between the programs. UTA also had two matches — a win over Jackson State and a loss to Denver — to conclude the Maverick Classic. “We looked good,” coach Diane Seymour said, who improved to 8-3 in home openers. “It’s one of the better opening nights that we’ve had. We felt confident, our play was fast and we recovered from mistakes quickly.” Senior outside hitter Taylor Gross led the UTA attack with 10 kills while hitting .500. Freshman outside hitter Qiana Canete contributed seven kills and senior middle blocker Ashley Bennett added six. Senior setter Amanda Welsh led the Mavericks with 19 assists and sophomore setter Cassidy Wheeler had 11. UTA dominated as a team, finishing the sweep with an attack percentage of .309 compared to -.009 for UIW. UTA had a 41-25 edge in kills and 11-3 advantage in team blocks.
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SPIRIT OF THE MONTH / ALUMNI
SPI R I T OF T H E MON T H
TEXAS COWBOYS BY SARA BETH PURDY
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ORMED IN 1922, the Texas Cowboys is a male service organization. Today, the Texas Cowboys are most widely known as the organization responsible for firing Smokey the Cannon — the 6-foot-tall, 1,000-pound civil war replica cannon — at every home football game. The Texas Cowboys presented the original Smokey the Cannon to the university in 1954. Smokey I served the school from 1954 until 1968, taking retirement at the Cowboys Pavilion located on the Texas campus. The organization used Smokey II from 1968 to 1988 and introduced Smokey III in 1989 — the current cannon used by the Texas Cowboys.
Smokey III makes appearances at every home football game, the annual AT&T Red River Showdown game against Oklahoma, bowl games and a few away games. The Texas Cowboys fire four 10-gauge blank shotgun shells after every Texas score, at kickoff, at the end of every quarter and at the end of the game. When not attending a game, Smokey stays in the Red McCombs Red Zone Atrium in the north end of the stadium. Smokey also appears at charity and volunteering events around the state. “Our tradition with Smokey the Cannon is an honor and a privilege,” said Tom Rhea, a Psychology major from Austin and the current foreman, or president, of the Texas Cowboys. “Standing on the field and firing Smokey for the games is an indescribable experience and one that I will remember for the rest of my life.” In 1963, the Texas Cowboys honored President John F Kennedy during the Austin Ceremony following
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his assassination with a 21-gun salute fired from the original Smokey the Cannon. The original Smokey also was fired at 10 of the 11 Longhorn football games during the 1963-64 season, including Texas’ first national championship victory over Navy on Jan. 1, 1964, at the Cotton Bowl. The Texas Cowboys still maintain a high level of service not only to the university but also to the Austin community and to the state of Texas. “This service-oriented mindset has been the focal point of our organization since 1922 and drives what we do as Texas Cowboys,” Rhea said. For over 60 years, the Texas Cowboys have worked closely with the Arc of the Capital Area. The Arc is an organization that provides services to children and adults in the area with special needs and disabilities. The Cowboys continue to donate countless hours of their time and have helped raise more than $250,000 for the Arc. “Philanthropy is crucial to this organization and we believe that our service to our community has given us a platform to be impactful leaders across the campus and the state,” Rhea said. The Texas Cowboys Alumni Association sponsors the Gabriel Higgins Memorial Scholarship in honor of Gabriel Higgins, a New Man of the Texas Cowboys who passed away in 1995. The scholarship is awarded to a freshman or sophomore student based on leadership, character and financial need. In 2004, the Texas Cowboys completed the Texas Cowboys Pavilion in conjunction with the Texas Exes Alumni Organization. Currently, the Cowboys Pavilion is the only structure on campus named for a student organization. The Pavilion serves as a meeting place for Cowboys of all ages and serves as a tailgate location on game days. Other events are hosted in the Cowboys Pavilion throughout the year. “The Cowboys is an incredible outlet for campus leaders to come together and serve the university in addition to enjoying each other’s company,” Rhea said. “The organization is unique for a number of reasons… the history of the organization, the opportunities we have on campus, the relationships we build with active members and alumni, and being ambassadors to UT.”
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? RAMONCE TAYLOR FOOTBALL (2004-06)
RAMONCE TAYLOR, a former Texas football player, was a three-sport athlete at Belton High School in Temple. Taylor was a four-star recruit by many popular online recruiting websites and received offers from some of the most premier programs in the nation, including Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas A&M and Nebraska. While at Belton High School, he amassed a school record of 4,010 rushing yards and 62 touchdowns over three years. Taylor joined a 2004 Texas recruiting class that featured Frank Okam, Cedric Dockery, Drew Kelson, Jordan Shipley, Brian Orakpo, Chris Ogbonnaya, Adam Ulatoski and Rashad Bobino. Known for his electric speed and elusiveness, Taylor was an instant success the moment he set foot on the 40 Acres. He was a member of the 2005 National Championship team — a team that featured over 20 current or former players on NFL rosters. As a freshman, Taylor rushed for 284 yards. During his sophomore season, he gained 1,219 total yards and scored 15 touchdowns. In May 2006, right before Taylor’s junior season, former head coach Mack Brown dismissed Taylor from the team for legal and academic troubles. Because of those troubles, Taylor missed the 2007 NFL Draft. Two years later, he signed a contract to play for a team in the Canadian Football League. In 2011, Taylor played for several Arena Football teams in the Indoor Football League, or IFL. One of those teams included the Allen Wranglers. In March 2014, the Texas Revolution, a team in the IFL, re-signed Taylor to their roster. Since his time at Texas, Taylor has hosted several football camps for young kids, coached at the high school level in Fort Worth and volunteered his time helping the community and rebuilding his life. — TAYLOR GRAFFT
FROM LEFT: D ON BENDER, COUR TESY UT ATHLET IC S PHOTOGRAPHY
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=
ROUNDUP
MEDIA VOICES JOHNNY WALKER REVIEW
The 25th Anniversary of the Catch On a sunny Saturday afternoon in October 1989, Johnny Walker made the famed game-winning touchdown catch against Oklahoma with 1:30 left to play in the game. This year marks the 25th anniversary of that 28-24 win over Oklahoma. Walker shared his memories of the time leading up to the game and of the catch with Horns Illustrated.
FROM LEFT: JI M SIGMON/UNIV. OF TEXAS, UT ATHLETICS PHOT OGR APHY
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EXAS HAD A hard time beating Oklahoma. The
year before (1988), the Sooners whooped us by 40 points. That game left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths, so we were pumped up for the 1989 game. As a team, we had a down year. We had to re-commit to the program and needed to turn things around in the Texas-Oklahoma game to get the season back on track. I was disappointed in our previous performances against the Sooners. I was just starting to understand the magnitude of the rivalry and how much it meant to the program. We went into that game knowing we had nothing to lose and fans didn’t expect us to win. The team could leave everything out on the field. And with that attitude, we were able to turn things around. At halftime, Texas held a 21-7 lead. We later fell behind 24-21 late in the fourth quarter but we knew we had to win this football game. I thought about the butt-kickings we received from Oklahoma the past few years and I didn’t like that feeling. So I told my teammates, “We got a chance to win this game. Get in the huddle and let’s make it happen.” On the play before my catch, Oklahoma almost
came up with an interception. I made a break on the ball but the defensive back didn’t go for the move and almost picked off quarterback Peter Gardere. We called a timeout and tried to find a way to get the ball down the field quickly. Offensive coordinator Lynn Hammity basically drew up the play on his hand. The Sooners were blitzing and we weren’t able to pick up the blitz. We had to come up with a deep route, based on a drop by the quarterback (3-step instead of 7-step). The plan was for Gardere to drop back three steps and throw the football. I was to run to the middle of the field and catch the ball. We had never done anything like that before. I remember Gardere standing on the sidelines and saying, “I don’t know how this is going to work.” I told him, “Don’t worry. Just throw the football — just get it close — and I’ll do the rest.” Then the team came out from the sideline and that’s exactly what happened. Gardere threw it close and I did the rest. I made a diving grab into the end zone with an Oklahoma defensive back right on top of me. Catching the gamewinning touchdown was incredible. If the fans weren’t up so high, I would’ve jumped right into the stands. You could hear the Texas side of the stadium explode. When I watch the clip on Youtube or see the film on television, I still get the same euphoric feeling. I get goosebumps and feel the adrenaline rush of that moment when I see the catch. We were able to turn the program around with that win and overall, that’s a great feeling.
JOHNNY WALKER’S RESUME • Played football and baseball at Texas from 1987-90 • Two-time All-Southwest Conference • Caught the game-winning reception to beat Oklahoma in 1989 • Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1990 (4th round)
“I don’t know how this is going to work.” “Don’t worry. Just throw the football — just get it close — and I’ll do the rest.” – SIDELINE EXCHANGE BETWEEN WALKER AND QB PETER GARDERE
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MEDIA VOICES
SEAN ADAMS BRINGS A NEW PERSPECTIVE TO THE AM 1300 THE ZONE.
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to the AM 1300 The Zone lineup comes in the form of the outspoken and honest Sean Adams. His show, “The Adams Theory,” airs on the station weekdays from 2-4 p.m. Horns Illustrated publisher James Schleicher sat down with Adams to get to know him, learn what listeners can expect to hear on “The Adams Theory” and talk Texas football. HE NEWEST ADDITION
James Schleicher: Tell me about yourself and how you got into radio. Sean Adams: After growing up in Oakland, Calif., I came to Texas to play football and run track for Abilene Christian University. I studied economics and finance as an undergraduate and then went on to receive my MBA. I moved to Austin to work in a corporate structure. I didn’t work in sports initially but I had a passion for it — sports helped me get my education. Plus I care about young people and the student-athlete. That’s how I frame my show — I don’t look at sports from a fan, coaching or administrative perspective, I look at everything from the player’s perspective. JS: Tell me more about the athlete perspective. SA: The athlete perspective helps. It’s the same reason I didn’t push athletics on my kids but I’m glad they did it because sports gives you inputs and outputs. I love sports because sports are honest. It’s one of the reasons I love football — if you produce, you get to play, period. If you can’t produce, you don’t get to play. If the world ran like that, we’d be better off, but we create gaps for people where we hold them up even if they’re not performing. The world of sports is like the pure capitalistic society. JS: Can you tell me about your show? SA: My show is about the big issues. I tell people if you want to hear what the Longhorns will do when the Sooners go to the spread set, don’t listen to the show. I can do that and we will but that is not my main focus. I want to talk about team chemistry and leadership. I 22
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JS: What do you think of head coach Charlie Strong?
AS: Love him. I love that he has a plan and that he’s going to live or die by that plan. I respect that. He’s real with young people. He seems holistic in what he’s trying to do and he’s trying to develop young men. Some coaches couldn’t care any less about raising young men. They’re about winning football games. And that’s why the recruiting process is so valuable because you have to decide who you are. A handful of kids need a father figure and with some coaches, their needs will fall on deaf ears. So I appreciate Strong for that, and the fact that he’s a hell of a football coach. JS: What do you think of the Texas-OU rivalry? SA: I love the rivalry and here’s why: It’s a pure football rivalry that consists of two states and one border. Texas doesn’t need to recruit from Oklahoma, but Oklahoma has to recruit from Texas and all over the country. The game is in Dallas and anybody with a real degree from Oklahoma moves to Dallas. The rivalry means so much and I love the fact that the fans are split at the 50-yard line. The game has so much history and goes all the way back to Oklahoma coach Bud Wilkinson, who made a killing recruiting those long athletic kids out of west Texas to run his offense. And we can’t forget the fact that the late Darrell K Royal — who was a rock star in Austin — played for Oklahoma and by the time he finished, Barry Switzer basically ran him off. I just love the rivalry and the way it has gone back and forth. JS: Do you have a favorite Texas-OU memory? SA: My favorite OU-Texas memory is — I’m about to cheat right here— probably 2005. Texas ran a play right before the first half ended but the team was offside. The refs put the Longhorns back five yards but Texas was good enough to run the same exact play. They ran a wheel route to Billy Pittman. Vince Young put up the ball and Pittman ran under wide open into the end zone. Of course, this was the same year Texas won the national championship. I was at every game in 2004 and 2005, including both Rose Bowls. The experience was pretty dang cool.
TWEETS JON MADANI (@Zone_Madani): Charlie Strong says
when he DID win a national championship, the one consistency was that they never talked about winning — just working.
ROD BABERS (@rodbabers): @MrNitti: @rodbabers why does seeing A&M play like that put a funny feeling in my stomach for Saturday? @rodbabers: I hope that’s just the beegeezys bro.
CRAIG WAY (@craigway1): Johnathan Gray on the “1 and 1A” status with Malcolm Brown in the backfield: “It doesn’t matter who starts. We both have to be ready.”
There always seems to be trouble with coaches’ microphones at media news conferences. It shouldn’t be that hard for audio professionals.
SEAN ADAMS (@thatsean): So on the sidelines in 100-degree heat — how long before my makeup runs?
FROM LEFT: BETHANY WALTER /UNIIV. OF TEXAS , ALL HEADSHOT S COUR TESY AM 130 0 TH E ZONE
Adams’ Theory
want to discuss why people think Texas is going to be good this year, or why teams like Auburn went 3-9 two years ago and then played for the national championship last year. I want to talk about the motivation that separates the 3-9 teams from the team that played for that national championship, when it’s damn near the same players. I love the X’s and O’s, but I would rather talk about the cerebral stuff. I hope that when I come in and do that show that I’m informing the listener and teaching them something. I hope I make you laugh, but I hope I make you think too.
LOOKING FOR MORE
EVEN WITH CONNOR WILLIAMS’ COMMITMENT, JOE WICKLINE NEEDS TO STAY ON THE RECRUITING TRAIL
COURTESY HORNS247.COM
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OPPELL’S Connor Williams can’t fix the depth issues along the offensive line in 2014, but his Sept. 4 commitment is further proof that Joe Wickline is building something special on the 40 Acres, especially at a position where something positive is needed. The 6’5”, 270-pound three-star prospect decided to pick Texas over Oregon, Oklahoma and a host of others. Williams joins one of Texas’ top offensive line hauls in the country, which includes Top247 members Patrick Vahe of Euless Trinity,Toby Weathersby of Spring Westfield and Ronnie Major of Huntsville. Along with Garrett Thomas (Many, La.), this group forms an impressive five-man recruiting class in the trenches. Williams will likely be at offensive tackle, which is where Wickline prefers a player of Williams’ skill set. While Wickline wants his guards to be around 6’4” and 320-pounds, he likes his tackles to be longer, sleeker athletes who can move around and
have some finesse in their game. That’s where Williams, who came up as a tight end at Coppell, fits in at Texas. With Vahe and Thomas headed for the interior line and with Major being a true tackle, Weathersby and Williams are swing players who fit the mold of the kind of players who can be cross-trained at multiple positions. The word “finesse” describes how Williams moves in space. He can easily get to the second level in a zone scheme and get his hands on people. He has the ability to finish blocks and adds a physical dynamic to the game that’s hard to teach; he possesses the nasty streak Wickline views as a necessity. If Wickline wanted to stop recruiting for the 2015 class, he could. But with the massive amount of attrition the Longhorns experienced at the beginning of the season, he may not want to call it a day just yet. Texas will continue to pursue Notre Dame commit Jerry Tillery (Shreveport, La./Evangel), a favorite of Wickline and the No. 77 prospect in the Top247. Wickline could also choose to make a class of 2015 offer to Galena Park North Shore’s Tyler Moore rather than a grayshirt offer. He has options. Wickline will almost surely bring back Kent Perkins, Darius James, Marcus
Hutchins, Taylor Doyle and the three signees from the 2014 class next season. Williams and Thomas — the lowest-rated prospects of the group — will be on campus for spring ball and will get a head start on the other three tremendously talented members of the class. This staff is about two things when it comes to building depth — player development and CONNOR WILLIAMS competition in practice. The beauty of Williams’ commitment is that he’ll give the Longhorns and Wickline the chance for both when he arrives in January. Attrition took a match to the current depth chart at Texas but Williams’ commitment is helping Wickline replenish the pipeline. Williams’ commitment ranks the Longhorns’ 2015 class as the 15th-best group in the country according to 247Sports. The 15-man haul also includes four-star wide receiver John Burt (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln) and Houston Cypress Falls four-star defensive tackle Du’Vonta Lampkin — two players who committed to Charlie Strong over the summer. — JEFF HOWE / HORNS247.COM
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Texas will be fine! Just give us a little time. Only way is up from here! – Michael Bowman
JIM SIGMON/UNIV. OF TEXAS
MEET THE T-ASSOCIATION
The T-Association is an organization made up of former varsity athletics letter winners. An additional designation for the T-Association members is the T-Ring, which is awarded to an athlete who lettered for 2 or more years, who did not compete the last 2 years of eligibility anywhere other than The University of Texas and who graduated from college. David McWilliams, former Longhorn head football coach, currently serves as the executive director for the T-Association. T-Association Mission - The T-Association’s mission is to create and maintain an enhanced atmosphere and structure whereby UT student-athletes become lifetime members of The University of Texas Athletics family and are welcomed, involved and encouraged to participate during and after their college tenure. TAPN Mission - The Letter Winner’s Professional Network exists to unite the members of the T-Association on a professional level by providing networking opportunities and a database of contacts, thereby furthering the opportunities, community, education and success of Longhorn Letter Winners. CONTACT INFORMATION: t-association@athletics.utexas.edu 512.471.6864
THE HABE ON THE HORNS
Charles in Charge
BY STEVE HABEL
STRONG’S TOUGH LOVE CONTINUES TO PUSH TEXAS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
A
different team from the one that suffered a NY QUESTIONS regarding head humiliating home defeat to BYU just a week coach Charlie Strong’s ability to prior. mold the Longhorns into his kind Against the Bruins, Texas refused to give in, of football team should be thrown taking a lead in the final minutes only to have out the window. the game slip away on a clutch touchdown by After two losses in the UCLA. In those final minutes, the Bruins took first three games of the season, advantage of the Longhorns’ inexperience and and a combined 14 players either eagerness to make something happen. dimissed or suspended for breaking Strong’s Losing games the way Texas lost to UCLA five-pronged code of conduct, one has to wonhurt more than blowouts like the one suffered to der if the coach has thrown out the baby with BYU. With UCLA, the the bathwater. coaches and players Or will the knew that just a few team respond to plays and a couple of Strong’s brand of errors made the differtough love? ence. Coming up short During his in a close game will nine-plus months also help a team grow on the 40 Acres, and learn to fight for the team has that extra inch. showed signs The Longhorns of the latter. — with a daunting However, the schedule ahead, beginLonghorns may ning with Baylor and take a while to Oklahoma — have to realize the benefits come together quickly of jumping aboard TAKING CHARGE: Head coach and adapt to Strong’s its coach’s train of Charlie Strong’s no-nonsense brand of toughness. discipline, responattitude is setting the right standards for his players. The feeling here is sibility and ownerthat Texas will do just ship. that and find a way to “When you dispel the naysayers look at it, you have enough to earn six wins this season and earn a 95 percent of the team that are doing things the trip to a bowl game. right way, and then you have five percent who The Texas football team needed a change aren’t,” Strong said. “You say to that five percent to return to its rightful place among the best ‘why can’t you buy in?’ We will never become them, they’re going to become us, and that’s just teams in college football. That might not happen as quickly as Longhorn fans would like, but the way it is.” the improvement from the team is palpable and “You get frustrated because you have to continuing. After all, Charles is in charge. suspend a talented group of players that could Just sayin’, ya know? help this football team, but who knows if they can because they can’t do the little things we ask them to do,” he added. The Habe is Steve Habel, Horns Illustrated’s Associate Editor. The Longhorns played worlds better in a He was the magazine’s first staff member, in 1994, and has 20-17 loss to 12th -ranked UCLA in Arlington covered Texas sports ever since. on Sept. 13. Texas almost looked like a totally
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FOOTBALL REVIEW A CALL TO ARMS: Tyrone Swoopes stepped in as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback after the team’s season opener against North Texas.
Down but Not Out
THE LONGHORNS REFUSE TO QUIT EVEN AFTER A ROUGH START TO THE 2014 SEASON BY STEVE HABEL
DON BENDER
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team ran fans through the whole gamut of emotions in the first three games of the 2014 season. The Longhorns produced just one win and more questions than answers about coach Charlie Strong’s squad and its true vitality. Texas looked very good — but not great — in beating North Texas decisively in the season opener. The team then looked everything but good in the lackluster loss to BYU in week two. The Longhorns seemed to come together against UCLA in week three, but several late mistakes by the defense, along with overall inexperience, cost Texas the win. The Longhorns left Arlington at 1-2, determined to regroup during their first open week of the season. Texas, however, has little time to make the necessary improvements to become a force in the Big 12. Fortunately many of the elements are in place and working together toward a better level of proficiency. Can the Longhorns pull themselves together and win enough games to earn a bowl trip? That remains to be seen. But this team will not quit — Strong will never allow that to happen — and may make enough noise in the coming weeks to be a spoiler in the conference race. Here’s a look back at the first three games of the season. HE TEXAS FOOTBALL
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TEXAS 38, NORTH TEXAS 7 AUG. 30 AT DARRELL K ROYAL-TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM THE WARM BREEZE felt across Austin Saturday evening was the likely result of the Longhorn faithful collectively exhaling. A crowd of 93,201 fans gathered at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to watch Texas easily beat North Texas, 38-7. With the win, the Charlie Strong era started on a positive note. The Longhorns manhandled an overwhelmed North Texas team thanks to a dominating defensive performance and opportunistic plays from Texas’ bevy of talented offensive players. If fans viewed the game against the Mean Green as the Longhorns’ off-Broadway debut, Texas did what it needed to do in order to earn rave reviews. “It was a great team victory,” Strong said afterward, almost breaking a smile. “We dominated on defense and made the plays we needed to, to score on offense. From day one nine months ago — when we started this process — it’s been about making improvements every day and in every way. It feels good to get the win.” Texas allowed North Texas just 94 total yards of offense and only 15 passing yards. The Mean Green never gained more than 8 yards on any single play — the team had three 8-yard runs in the game, while its longest pass completion was for just 7 yards.
“When you take away explosive plays from a team, you take away its heart,” senior cornerback Quandre Diggs said. “We went right after North Texas and made sure they never had a chance to get anything going in this game.” Jordan Hicks, Dylan Haines, Demarco Cobbs and Adrian Colbert each recorded their first career interceptions, thanks to a blitzing Texas defense that sacked the Mean Green’s two quarterbacks four times. “We knew they were going to blitz us, but we didn’t know they were going to blitz us like they did,” North Texas quarterback Josh Greer said. “They blitzed us on 26 of the 28 plays we ran in the first half. They forced us to throw the ball early and sometimes that backfired.”
The Longhorns didn’t break through until their fourth possession of the game. The team took advantage of a dubious personal foul call on North Texas to keep a drive alive before marching to a 1-yard scoring plunge by Malcolm Brown. The play gave Texas a 7-0 lead with 4:06 to play in the first quarter. The key play on that drive was the 27-yard David Ash-to-John Harris pass on a scramble off a broken play. The pass put the Longhorns into the red zone after converting the third down. Texas expanded its advantage to 14-0 in just six minutes into the second quarter. Brown scored again, this time on a 3-yard run after Harris set the table with a 28-yard catch and run. Hicks’ interception gave the Longhorns the ball at the North Texas 31 and paved the way for the touchdown. Running back Johnathan Gray did most of the heavy lifting on another march that took place in the waning minutes of the first half. Gray ran for 42 yards to the North Texas 3 before failing to get into the end zone on three attempts. Ash eventually scrambled around the right end on a bootleg and dove across the goal line to push the Texas advantage to 21-0. Ash found Harris again on an 8-yard touchdown pass to punctuate the Longhorns’ second-half opening drive, pushing the Texas lead to 28-0. Brown was a key cog in the drive, carrying four times for 38 yards. Harris caught seven passes in the game — two more than he did in all of 2013.
A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: Strong called the win against North Texas “a great team victory.” (Right) David Ash completed 19 of 34 passes for 190 yards. (Far Right) John Harris posted a career-high seven receptions for 110 yards. (Bottom) The defense surrendered only 94 total yards and allowed 15 passing yards.
Texas lost its chance to record a shutout midway through the fourth quarter. Ash fumbled an exchange from center Jake Raulerson in his own end zone and North Texas’ James Jones pounced on the loose ball. The Longhorns responded with a Nick Rose 34-yard field goal, followed by Cobbs’ interception and a 28-yard return for a touchdown. Texas ended up with a 353-94 advantage in total offense. 28
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READY OR NOT: Charlie Strong saw that his team wasn’t ready to face BYU during pre-game warm ups. And the team’s performance only confirmed his suspicion. In a span of seven minutes, the Cougars scored 28 points against the Longhorns.
Alas, the Longhorns’ victory came at a cost. Ash experienced a return of concussion syndrome and has since retired from football. Senior center Dominic Espinosa, one of the Longhorns’ vocal leaders, was lost for the season with a broken right ankle. BYU 41, Texas 7 SEPT. 6 AT DARRELL K ROYAL-TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM
the 2014 season, many perceived that the Texas defense would act as a strong suit of the team and that side of the ball might have the ability to win games on its own. This notion seemed fortified after the Longhorns’ dominating performance in their season-opening win against North Texas. Then BYU rolled into town. In a seven-minute stretch of the third quarter, the Cougars scored 28 points against the Longhorns. The offensive explosion led to a 41-7 dismantling of Texas before a stunned crowd of 93,463 fans. BYU jettisoned any preseason notions about the Longhorns’ defense faster than the rocket man who performs a 30-second flying stint over Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium before each home game. With all the emphasis placed on avoiding a repeat of 2013 — when the Cougars swamped Texas 40-21 in Provo — many thought it was impossible for the Longhorns to play even worse. Strong said he recognized before the game that his team didn’t seem fully focused or ready to give its best effort. “It’s an embarrassment —to this program, to this university — and I knew it and I didn’t do anything about it,” Strong said. “I take responsibility and all the blame for this loss. I knew during warm-ups we weren’t ready to play. I told the team we weren’t ready to play. Our focus wasn’t there.” On a positive note, Texas was able to limit BYU dual-threat quarterback Taysom Hill to just 280 all-purpose yards this time around (he had 259 yards rushing alone in 2013). But the Longhorns couldn’t stop Hill from making the plays he needed when they counted the most. Hill ended up with three touchdowns that included a scintillating 30-yard scoring scramble where he jumped over Haines on the way into the end zone. A heavy load rested on the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Tyrone Swoopes as he started for the first time after Ash remained absent from the game due to continuing symptoms from a concussion. Swoopes played well at times,
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come together and learn from this. We’ll grow from it, see if we can fight back through adversity and put this team back together and continue on.” UCLA 20, Texas 17 SEPT. 13 AT AT&T STADIUM IN ARLINGTON
the growth of a football team in steps, Texas is clearly on the upswing. Although the Longhorns lost to No. 12 UCLA in the AdvoCare Cowboys Showdown at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the team took a step in the right direction in its 20-17 defeat. Doubters might say that the Longhorns had no place to go other than up after losing to BYU the week before, but that’s a defeatist opinion. Texas, with Swoopes showing more confidence with every snap, stood toe-to-toe with the Bruins until the final minutes. The Longhorns’ inexperience came to the forefront in those final minutes, as UCLA made two huge plays on its winning drive, pulling victory out of the jaws of defeat. UCLA backup quarterback Jerry Neuheisel hit Jordan Payton on a 33-yard scoring pass with 3:00 to play to give the Bruins the win. The touchdown came on the play following a 45-yard punt return by the Bruins’ Ishmael Adams. The two plays stunned the Longhorns and the majority of the 60,479 fans in attendance. For a short time in the fourth quarter, the Longhorns looked like they might spring an upset. Down 13-10 after a mostly lackluster third quarter, Swoopes engineered a clutch 80-yard, 10-play drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass to
IF ONE MEASURES
Harris. The play gave the Longhorns a17-13 lead with 5:13 to play. But Texas couldn’t work any magic on its final two possessions. On the final series — which started at the Texas 23 with 2:55 to play — the offense netted just three yards before a fourthdown incompletion. UCLA then ran out the clock. “There’s no doubt this [game] was a missed opportunity,” Diggs said. “We didn’t capitalize on what we should’ve capitalized on. We have to do better in those situations. We have to go back to grinding.” UCLA forged a 3-0 lead in the final minute of the first quarter on a 47-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn. Although down three points, the Longhorns could easily overcome the deficit. The game changed dramatically when the Bruins’ dual-treat Heisman Trophy candidate Brett
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: The Texas offense showed signs of confidence against UCLA. (Right) John Harris had four receptions for 60 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown catch against the Bruins. (Below) Tyrone Swoopes completed 24 of 34 passes for 196 yards with two touchdowns.
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taking what the Cougars’ defense gave him while using the limited playbook he was allowed by the Texas coaching staff. Swoopes threw for 176 yards and the Longhorns’ lone touchdown. Swoopes connected with Harris on a 13-yard pass with 29 seconds to play in the third quarter, long after the game had been decided by BYU’s four-touchdown rush to victory. In the first half, Swoopes completed 11 of 15 passes for 100 yards after hitting on his first eight throws. “Tyrone did a great job in his first start,” assistant head coach for offense and quarterbacks coach Shawn Watson said. “I saw a lot of things that we can build on. I’m encouraged by what I saw in his play.” BYU managed just two Trevor Samson field goals in the first half — one from 21 yards with 3:30 to play in the first quarter and the other from 29 yards at the 6:34 mark of the second period — despite outgaining the Longhorns 197-136 over the first 30 minutes of play. In the first half the Texas defense held BYU to just 46 yards on the ground and an even 100 yards through the air — a huge improvement over its performance in 2013. The Longhorns sacked Hill four times for minus-25 yards in the first half. Texas got lucky when the referees called back a Hill touchdown after the shifty signalcaller broke loose for a 66-yard run. The Cougars were called on a silly holding penalty that took place 20 yards behind the play. All the good work disappeared like a flash in the third quarter. BYU scored on its first possession after halftime when Hall engineered a nine-play, 75-yard march that culminated in his highlight-reel 30-yard touchdown run. The Cougars added to their lead on the next drive, moving 55 yards to an Adam Hine 16-yard touchdown run that expanded the BYU lead to 20-0. The Cougars were far from finished. A quick three-and-out by the Longhorns and an 18-yard punt return by BYU’s Mitch Juergens set the table for a seven-play drive that ended in a 2-yard touchdown run by Hill and a 27-0 lead. Marcus Johnson then fumbled the ensuing kickoff return and handed BYU a short field at the Texas 24; it took the Cougars just four plays to score on a 1-yard plunge by Hill. By that time, most Texas fans were heading for the exits. “If I was in the stands, I would’ve left too,” defensive coordinator Vance Bedford said. “I said all week that Hill was a great quarterback — he reminds me of Tim Tebow — and the way we played tonight turned him into a Heisman Trophy contender. When you give up 28 points in one quarter, you’re not ready to play.” Swoopes’ touchdown pass to Harris (who had eight catches for a team-high 77 yards) prevented a shutout. BYU added a late score on Hine’s eightyard run but by then, it really didn’t matter. “We’ve still got a ways to go,” Strong said. “We still have games left to play. We’re going to
Hundley injured his left elbow during a scrambling run, sending Neuheisel into the fray. UCLA had two huge offensive plays called back in the first quarter because of penalties, allowing Texas to dodge an early bullet and gain some momentum. Texas earned an extra boost when UCLA went conservative on offense after the loss of Hundley, allowing the Texas attack, spurred by the maturing-right-before-our-eyes Swoopes, to find his footing against a surprisingly underwhelming Bruins defense. The Longhorns tied the game at 3-3 at the 10:32 mark of the second quarter when a 10-play drive moved the team close enough for a 33-yard field goal by Rose. Swoopes then marshaled a 14-play, 62-yard drive that culminated in a 2-yard touchdown pass to M.J. McFarland. The Longhorns spurred a 10-3 lead that triggered the Texas fans to rattle the stadium’s foundation. UCLA hit its first key play on its first offensive snap of the third quarter, when Paul Perkins ran 58 yards to the Texas 17. “We missed a tackle,” Bedford said of the Perkins run. “We were there at the point of attack and had a chance to make a one-on-one tackle. We just didn’t come down with it.” The Bruins took six more plays to score. The touchdown came on a 3-yard, jump-ball pass from Neuheisel to Nate Iese that floated over linebacker
FIGHTING FOR A CHANCE: The Texas defense continued to show signs of improvement in the game against UCLA.
Steve Edmond — and tied the game at 10-10. Both teams struggled for the rest of the third quarter, which ended with a play from UCLA. The Bruins’16-play drive allowed Fairbairn to kick a 25-yard field goal, giving them a 13-10 lead. The final nine minutes were a wild stretch, with UCLA making the big plays. Texas left the
DFW Metroplex frustrated and lamenting about the game that it let get away. “We definitely played a little harder [than last week] and coach Strong told us he liked our effort,” said Brown, who led the UT rushing attack with 69 yards on 14 carries. “We still came out with a loss. That’s the bottom line. We have to get better.”
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SOCCER SOCCER PRE PREVVIEIEWW 2014 2014
HEART AND HEARTBREAK
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AFTER AFTER MISSING MISSING THE THE 2013 2013 NCAA NCAA TOURNAMENT, TOURNAMENT, TEXAS TEXAS HEADS HEADS INTO INTO THIS THIS SEASON SEASON WITH WITH AA WINNING WINNING MENTALITY MENTALITY BY BY H HABEA A BEAB B KURDI KURDI
B
ELIEF ELIEFBUOYS BUOYSTHIS THISYEAR’S YEAR’SSOCCER SOCCERTEAM. TEAM. The The Longhorns Longhorns were were aa near near shoe-in shoe-in to to advance advance to to the the NCAA NCAA Tournament Tournament for for the the first first time time under under head head coach coach Angela Angela Kelly Kelly in in 2013. 2013. On On the theprecipice precipiceof ofadvancing, advancing,the theteam teamfell fellshort short in inheartbreaking heartbreakingfashion. fashion. “Last “Lastyear yearititwas wasright rightthere,” there,”senior senior Sharis Sharis Lachappelle Lachappelle said. said. “We “We had had itit in in our our hands hands and and let let itit slip slip away. away. We We all all know know how how bad bad that that felt felt last last year year and and how how upset upset we we were. were.We Wewere werein incontrol controlof ofour ourown owndestiny destiny and and we we just just blew blew it. it. With With that that taste taste in in our our mouths, mouths,the thedesire desireand andwillingness willingnessto towin winthis thisyear yearwill willget getus usback back to tothe thetournament.” tournament.” With With10 10of ofits its11 11starters startersand andaawhopping whopping21 21players playersreturning returning from from last last season, season, the the team team isis brimming brimming with with belief belief thanks thanks to to the the continuity continuityand andcamaraderie camaraderieconstructed constructedthroughout throughoutthe theprogram. program. The The upperclassmen’s upperclassmen’s chemistry chemistry isis evident, evident, especially especially after after spendspending ingyears yearsstriving strivingto toreach reachthe thepinnacle pinnacleof oftheir theirsport. sport.Texas Texashas hassix six seniors seniorsand andnine ninejuniors juniorson onthis thisseason’s season’sroster, roster,and andthe thegroup grouphas hasaa humble humbleyet yetvocal vocalconfidence confidenceabout aboutit. it. “The “The past past few few years years we’ve we’ve been been known known as as the the young young team, team, with with aa lot lot of of youth youth and and energy,” energy,” senior senior Brooke Brooke Gilbert Gilbert said. said. “We “We still still have have that that fire fire and and energy energy we we had had as as freshmen freshmen but but we’ve we’ve been been around aroundthe theblock. block.We Weknow knowwhat whatitittakes. takes.We Weknow knowwhat whatwe weneed need to todo doto tobe besuccessful successfuland andwe’ve we’veall allbought boughtin.” in.” Since SinceAugust, August,Kelly Kellynoticed noticedaachange changein inher herplayers. players.Led Ledby bythe the core coreof ofseniors, seniors,the theteam teampracticed practicedwith withaadifferent differentmentality mentalityatatthe the beginning beginning of of the the season season — — as as Gilbert Gilbert said, said, they they fully fully bought bought into into the theprogram. program. “I’m “I’m excited excited to to see see how how many many times times they’re they’re going going to to raise raise the the bar,” bar,” Kelly Kelly said. said. “They’re “They’re invested, invested, committed committed and and starting starting to to take take ownership ownership of of the the team. team. It’s It’s them them wanting wanting itit for for themselves themselves and and that’s that’ssomething somethingtruly trulypowerful.” powerful.” Seniors Seniors Julie Julie Arnold, Arnold, Whitney Whitney Jaynes, Jaynes, Lachappelle Lachappelle and and Gilbert Gilbert made made the the preseason preseason about about “belief” “belief” — — belief belief that that the the Longhorns Longhorns can can improve improve on on last last year’s year’s season, season, that that they they can can win win the the Big Big 12 12 Championship, Championship,and andthat thatthey theybelong belongon onthe thenational nationalstage stageplaying playingthe the country’s country’sbest bestteams teamsand andpossibly possiblybest bestthem themfor forthe thenational nationaltitle. title. “[Chemistry] “[Chemistry] plays plays aa huge huge role role — — the the closer closer the the team team is, is, the the closer closer us us four four are are together, together, itit definitely definitely leads leads to to success,” success,” Arnold Arnold said. said. “We “We want want to to fight fight for for each each other, other, play play for for each each other. other. The The mentality mentality isis completely completely different. different. We’re We’re stronger stronger as as aa group. group. I’ve I’ve seen seenaatougher toughermentality mentality… …aafighting fightingmentality.” mentality.” Kelly Kelly and and her her crew crew welcome welcome the the challenge challenge of of playing playing the the toughest toughestteams teamsin inthe thenation nationthis thisseason season— —including including2013 2013National National Champion Champion UCLA UCLA — — in in order order to to prepare prepare the the women women for for the the rigors rigors of ofconference conferenceplay playand andpotential potentialtournament tournamentchallenges. challenges. “We’re “We’rehere hereto towin winthe thenational nationalchampionship,” championship,”Kelly Kellysaid. said.“If “If we we don’t don’t pursue pursue reigning reigning national national champions champions such such as as UCLA, UCLA, we we don’t don’tchallenge challengeourselves ourselvesand andwe’ll we’llnever neverfully fullyknow knowwhere wherewe weare. are. You You don’t don’t want want to to be be aa naive naive squad squad when when you you reach reach the the Final Final Four Four and andplay playUCLA UCLAand andbe bein inawe. awe.You Youwant wantto tobe beweather-tested.” weather-tested.” Since Since starting starting atat Texas, Texas, Kelly Kelly has has guided guided her her young young group group through throughthe therough roughterrain terrainof ofaatough toughschedule. schedule.The Theteam teamisisintent intenton on getting gettingdown downto tobusiness businessthis thisyear. year. In In Kelly’s Kelly’s first first season season in in 2012, 2012, the the team team went went 8-10-2. 8-10-2. AA fourfourgame game improvement improvement came came in in 2013, 2013, but but the the team team was was still still disapdisappointed pointed in in its its 12-6-2 12-6-2 showing, showing, which which was was bolstered bolstered by by an an impresimpressive sive9-0-1 9-0-1record recordatathome homebut butfeatured featuredmuch muchtravail travailaway awayfrom fromthe the 40 40Acres. Acres.
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that thatkept keptTexas Texasfrom fromplaying playingin inthe theNCAA NCAAtournatournament. ment.And Andtrue trueto toKelly’s Kelly’sideology, ideology,the theLonghorns Longhorns open open up up conference conference play play hosting hosting Texas Texas Tech Tech and and West WestVirginia. Virginia. “We’re “We’relooking lookingfor forrevenge revengeagainst againstTech Techand and West West Virginia. Virginia. We We have have them them atat home home this this year year and andwe’re we’reundefeated undefeatedatathome,” home,”Arnold Arnoldsaid. said.“We “We just just need need to to focus focus on on the the opponent opponent we we have, have, go go in inand andplay.” play.” In Inaddition additionto tothe the21 21returning returningplayers, players,seven seven true truefreshmen freshmenjoin jointhe thesquad, squad,all alllooking lookingto tomake make an an impact. impact. The The bulk bulk of of the the team team isis from from Texas, Texas, giving giving the the roster roster even even more more familiarity familiarity despite despite new newplayers playersjoining joiningthe thefold. fold. “There’s “There’s seven seven freshman freshman that that will will have have bapbaptism tismby byfire, fire,and andthe theother other21 21can canhelp helppull pullthose those young youngladies ladiesin inthe theright rightdirection,” direction,”Kelly Kellysaid. said.“It “It allows allowsyour yourteam teamto toget getto todifferent differentlevels levelsand andyou you don’t don’t have have to to worry worry about about teaching teaching basics. basics. You You
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IN INGOOD GOODCOMPANY: COMPANY: With With21 21 players playersreturning returningthis thisseason, season,the the camaraderie camaraderieacross acrossthe thewomen’s women’s soccer soccerteam teamremains remainsunquestionunquestionable. able.The Theplayers’ players’chemistry, chemistry,such such as asthe thebond bondbetween betweenBrooke Brooke Gilbert, Gilbert,Jasmine JasmineHart Hartand andLindsey Lindsey Meyer Meyer(far (farleft) left)isisonly onlypushing pushing the theprogram programtoward towardsuccess. success.And And with withtalent talentcoming comingfrom fromall allparts parts of ofthe thefield field— —especially especiallyin ingoal goal with withAbby AbbySmith Smith(left) (left)front frontand and center center— —the theLonghorns Longhornslook lookto to make makeaarun runfor fortheir theirfirst firstNCAA NCAA appearance appearanceunder undercoach coachAngela Angela Kelly. Kelly.
can canget getmore moreintricate intricatein inwhat whatyou youteach.” teach.” Every Every member member of of the the team team plays plays aa key key role role in in Kelly’s Kelly’s system, system, ifif she’s she’s on on the the field field or or on on the the sideline. sideline. Even Even when when trusted trusted defender defender Jaynes Jaynes was was sidelined sidelined for for most most of of 2013 2013 with with an an injury, injury, she she continued continuedto tolead leadfrom fromthe thebench. bench. “We “We have have our our designated designated group group leaders, leaders, but but we’re we’renot notthe theonly onlyleaders,” leaders,”she shesaid. said.“People “Peoplehave have stepped stepped up up and and taken taken large large roles roles into into making making the the team team what what itit is. is. Before, Before, we we thought thought the the players players on on the the field field were were the the ones ones that that need need to to lead. lead. II think think II brought broughtaasense sensethat thatwe weneed needeveryone everyone— —everyone everyone isisimportant importantand andeveryone everyoneneeds needsto tohave haveaarole.” role.”
And And seniors seniors aren’t aren’t the the only only ones ones leading leading from from the the field field and and the the bench. bench. Junior Junior goalgoalkeeper keeper Abby Abby Smith Smith anchors anchors aa defense defense difficult difficult to to penetrate. penetrate. Texas Texasnever neverlost lostaagame gameby bymore morethan thanone onegoal goalin in 2013, 2013,demonstrating demonstratingthe thestrength strengthof ofits itsdefense. defense. “Abby “Abby is, is, in in my my opinion, opinion, the the best best goalkeeper goalkeeper in in the the country,” country,” Kelly Kelly said. said. “Brooke “Brooke Gilbert, Gilbert, Julie Julie Arnold Arnoldand andWhitney WhitneyJaynes Jaynesare arerising risingseniors. seniors.You You have haveto tobe bereally reallyexcited excitedabout aboutthe thebackbone backboneof ofour our defensive defensivementality.” mentality.” Smith Smith recorded recorded eight eight shutouts shutouts last last year, year, and and the theteam teamallowed allowedjust just16 16goals goalstotal totalin in20 20games. games. More More than than the the goalie goalie and and back back line line though, though, Lachappelle Lachappelle says says defense defense runs runs the the length length of of the the field. field.
PR PR EVIOUS EVIOUS SP SP READ READ :: BET BET HANY HANY WALTER WALTER /UNI /UNI V. V. OF OF T T EXAS. EXAS. THIS THIS SPREAD SPREAD CLOC CLOC KWIS KWIS EE FR FR OM OM LEFT: LEFT: BETHANY BETHANY WALTER/UNIV. WALTER/UNIV. OF TEXAS TEXAS ,, BETHANY BETHANY WALTER/UNIV. WALTER/UNIV. O O FF T T EXAS, EXAS, BETHANY BETHANY WALT WALT ER ER /UNIV. /UNIV. OF OF TEXAS, TEXAS, M M ATT ATT HEMPEL/UNIV. HEMPEL/UNIV. OF OF TEXAS, TEXAS, MATT MATT OF HEMPEL/UNIV. OF TEXAS HEMPEL/UNIV. OF TEXAS
The The Longhorns Longhorns no no longer longer view view trips trips to to other other cities cities — — such such as as the the preseason preseason trip trip to to play play in in Hawaii Hawaii — — as as learning learning opportunities. opportunities. These These games gamesare arefor forone onepurpose purposeand andone onepurpose purposeonly: only: to towin. win. “Now “Now it’s it’s more more of of aa business business trip trip instead instead of, of, ‘This ‘This isis my my first first time time traveling,’” traveling,’” Arnold Arnold said. said. “We’re “We’regoing goingto towin wingames, games, not notto tosee see the the beach beach or or different different places. places. We’re We’re going going to to win win and and that’s that’s what whatour ourseason seasonisisabout.” about.” This This determination determination should should help help the the squad squad build build on on its its subpar subpar road road record record from from aa season season ago, ago,when whenthe theteam teamwent went3-6-1 3-6-1away awayfrom fromMike Mike Myers Myers Stadium. Stadium. Winning Winning away away from from the the 40 40 Acres Acres isis aa huge huge key key to to success success this this season, season, and and the theteam teamwasn’t wasn’tthat thatfar farfrom fromachieving achievingthat thatgoal goal aa year year ago. ago. The The losses losses on on the the road, road, along along with with other other memories memoriesof of“what “whatcould’ve could’vebeen,” been,”remain remainin inthe the forefront forefrontof ofthe theLonghorns’ Longhorns’collective collectivemind. mind. “We’re “We’re returning returning our our same same back back line line and and goalkeeper, goalkeeper, so so mistakes mistakes are are engraved engraved in in the the back back of of our our minds,” minds,” Gilbert Gilbert said. said. “That’s “That’s where where the the experience experiencecomes comesin. in.You Youhave haveto tolearn learnfrom fromyour your mistakes. mistakes. We’ve We’ve all all experienced experienced last last season season and and know knowwhat whatwe wewant wantto todo dodifferently.” differently.” The Theteam teamalso alsoremembers remembersthe thelosses lossesto toBig Big12 12 foes foes Texas Texas Tech Tech and and West West Virginia Virginia — — two two losses losses
“Defense “Defense wins wins championships championships and and defense defense starts starts with with our our forwards,” forwards,” she she said. said. “Our “Our backline backline and and goalkeepers goalkeepers aren’t aren’t the the only only ones ones responsible. responsible. Defense Defense isis oftentimes oftentimes the the focus focus of of our our practices practices so so II think think that that will will be be our our strength strength in in games games this this season.” season.” LaChappelle LaChappellespent spentthe thesummer summerplaying playingalongalongside side Gilbert Gilbert in in the the Women’s Women’s Professional Professional Soccer Soccer League League for for the the Seattle Seattle Sounders, Sounders, where where aa new new wrinkle wrinkle of of leadership leadership entered entered both both of of their their makemakeups. ups. Lachappelle Lachappelle had had an an opportunity opportunity to to play play forforward, ward, changing changing her her perspective perspective from from her her normal normal vantage vantage point point of of playing playing middle middle back back for for the the Longhorns. Longhorns.The Thenew newoutlook outlookon onhow howthe theteam team functions functionsas asone, one,as aswell wellas asher herrealization realizationthat thatshe she can can take take control control of of the the ball ball more more as as an an offensive offensive
assistant assistant coach. coach. And And in in aa short short time, time, she’s she’s already already helping helpingshape shapethe theteam. team. “She’s “She’saahuge hugeasset,” asset,”Arnold Arnoldsaid. said.“We “Wewere wereall all starstruck starstruckby byher heratatfirst. first.We Weenjoy enjoyhaving havingher, her,her her wealth wealthof ofknowledge, knowledge,and andwe weall allrespect respecther.” her.” Kelly Kelly and and Lilly Lilly were were teammates teammates atat North North Carolina Carolinaand andhave haveremained remainedvery veryclose closethroughout throughout the the years. years. Lilly Lilly nearly nearly joined joined the the Longhorns Longhorns three three years years ago ago when when Kelly Kelly did, did, but but the the timing timing wasn’t wasn’t quite quiteright. right. This Thisseason seasonoffered offeredthe theperfect perfectopportunity. opportunity. Kelly Kelly stated stated that that Lilly Lilly will will likely likely impact impact her her playplayers ers in in the the same same manner manner that that she she impacted impacted Kelly’s Kelly’s own ownlife. life. “She “She makes makes me me better, better, stronger,” stronger,” Kelly Kelly said. said. “She “She needs needs to to be be on on aa bench bench somewhere somewhere and and I’m I’m
“SHE “SHE NEEDS NEEDS TO TO BE BE ON ON AA BENCH BENCH SOMEWHERE SOMEWHERE AND AND I’M I’M EXCITED EXCITED SHE’S SHE’S SITTING SITTING ON ON THE THE BENCH BENCH NEXT NEXT TO TO ME. ME. SHE SHE HAS HAS FAR FAR TOO TOO MUCH MUCH KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE AND AND EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE NOT NOT TO TO SHARE.” SHARE.”
LEADING LEADINGTHE THEWAY: WAY: Head Headcoach coachAngela AngelaKelly Kelly(above) (above) said saidshe’s she’simpressed impressedwith withhow howthe theplayers playersare aretaking taking full fullownership ownershipof oftheir theirperformances performancesthis thisseason. season.NoneNonetheless, theless,she’ll she’llcontinue continueto toguide guidethem themalong alongthe theway, way,as as will willnew newassistant assistantcoach coachKristine KristineLilly Lilly(top (topright). right).
threat, threat, isis just just one one of of the the new new twists twists for for aa team team mired miredin instability. stability. Perhaps Perhaps the the biggest biggest change change this this season season will will come come from from the the sidelines. sidelines. Renowned Renowned women’s women’s soccer soccer star star — — and and one one of of Kelly’s Kelly’s best best friends friends — — Olympian Olympian Kristine Kristine Lilly Lilly joined joined the the team team as as an an
excited excited she’s she’s sitting sitting on on the the bench bench next next to to me. me. She She has hasfar fartoo toomuch muchknowledge knowledgeand andexperience experiencenot notto to share.” share.” Now Now even even more more eyes eyes are are on on the the Texas Texas proprogram, gram, something something the the players players relish. relish. Yet Yet they they also also understand understand itit means means nothing nothing ifif they they don’t don’t fulfill fulfill their theirgoals goalsand andbecome becomethe thebest bestteam teamin inthe thenation nation in intheir theirown owneyes. eyes. “The “Theexposure exposure we we get get for forplaying playingfor forTexas Texasisis greater greaterthan thanany anyother otherwomen’s women’ssoccer soccerprogram programin in the the country,” country,” Lachappelle Lachappelle said. said. “We “We have have Kristine Kristine and andthe theresources resourceswe wehave haveputs putsus uson onthe themap. map.But But ititonly onlytranslates translatesififwe weget getthe thejob jobdone doneon onthe thefield. field. We’re We’re all all trying trying to to buy buy into into believing believing we we can can win. win. That’s That’s our our mentality, mentality, and and it’s it’s beginning beginning with with that that belief beliefto topropel propelus usforward.” forward.” Though Thoughthe theteam teamwants wantsto towin winNovember Novemberand and December, December, the the conclusion conclusion of of the the season season springs springs forward forwardfrom fromthe thebeginning beginningof ofthe thecampaign. campaign. “They’re “They’re back back — — fitter, fitter, faster, faster, stronger. stronger. That That allowed allowed us us to to hit hit the the ground ground running,” running,” Kelly Kelly said. said. “They “They understood understood what what they they needed needed to to do. do. They They know know this this isn’t isn’t aa program program you you can can take take three three months months on, on, three three months months off. off. It’s It’s 12 12 months months aa year.” year.”
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COUNTDOWN TO THE SHOWDOWN
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October brings the 109th meeting between Texas and Oklahoma, along with the chance to explore the Big D BY STEVE LANSDALE
THE ANNUAL SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA
is one of the most anticipated games each year. Fans from Austin and Norman overrun the city of Dallas and eventually gather inside the Cotton Bowl for the game — splitting the stadium between a sea of burnt orange and a sea of crimson. When the teams square off this season for their 109th meeting, fans have to wonder what kind of Oklahoma team will stand across the field from Texas. Will it be the uninspired squad that fell 36-20 to Texas in last year’s matchup? Or will it be the team that won its last three games of the year by an average of nearly 20 points per game, including a shocking 45-31 win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl? The good news is that Texas tends to pick up consecutive wins in the annual AT&T Red River Showdown. The last time the Longhorns won and then lost the following year was in 1994. Since then, Texas came out on top three straight times (1997-99), collected back-to-back wins in 2005 and 2006, and again in 2008 and 2009. So last year’s victory means this year will bring a repeat, right? Maybe.
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P REVIOUS S PREAD : MATT HEM PEL/UNIV. O F T EXAS. T HIS SPR EAD C LOC KW IS E FR OM LEFT: DON BEDNER, COURTESY ROBERT H ENS LEY, COURTESY S OMAHOLI DAY, CO UR TES Y D EEP ELLUM BREWER Y
The strength of this year’s Oklahoma team, as it often is, is on Before anyone begins celebrating, consider the teams involved. The Sooners started the season ranked No. 4 in the nation and kicked off defense. All of the 2013 starting defensive linemen return to this year’s the year by thumping a mediocre Louisiana Tech team they should’ve team, which once again operates out of a 3-4 formation as its base alignwhipped. But the numbers put up by quarterback Trevor Knight were ment. Senior Chuka Ndulue led the defensive line last year with 45 tackles and five sacks. modest; he completed 19 of 34 passes for 253 yards, one The linebackers at Oklahoma are strong — they touchdown pass and one interception. almost always are — but the group was weakened in early Fans and pundits can’t really read into the personal RED RIVER August when inside linebacker Frank Shannon (the top tackstatistics from the first game of the year, especially when SHOWDOWN ler a year ago with 92) was suspended for the entire 2014 playing in a lopsided game where Oklahoma enjoyed a 31-3 season. The Sooners have enough talented depth at linehalftime lead. COTTON BOWL backer to adjust, but replacing a key cog at such a late date However, when taking a step back and looking at last STADIUM is a major challenge for any team. With Shannon gone, the season, the numbers take on more meaning. Every Sooner DALLAS, TEXAS unit is led by fellow inside linebacker Dominique Alexander fan spent last season wondering about Knight, or in many (second in 2013 with 80 tackles) and Eric Striker, a lightcases, lobbying for Knight’s inclusion among the great SATURDAY, OCT. 11 ning-fast pass-rushing specialist who led the Oklahoma players in school history —or perhaps for sainthood. As a defense last year with 6.5 sacks and finished second with freshman last season, Knight started five games, completed a TBA seven quarterback hurries. modest 59 percent of his attempts for 819 passing yards and The Sooners’ intangibles are numerous, including ran for 445. And even with these numbers he’s viewed as the fact that kicker Michael Hunnicutt became the school’s some kind of savior. There’s no question he’s talented, and all-time leader in field goals made as a junior. maybe he’ll end up earning all of the accolades being thrust Any scouting report of the Sooners isn’t complete without a mention upon him, but it seems a bit premature at this point. The running game took a hit over the offseason when legal trouble of Stoops, who won a national championship in his second season in caused Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops to suspend true freshman run- Norman. He has returned to the BCS National Championship Game three ning back Joe Mixon for the entire season. The Sooners still have able run- more times and is the only head coach in the country to have won the ners in Keith Ford and Alex Ross, but neither is viewed as a game-changer Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl. Longhorn fans should keep an eye out for one stat — Texas needs to — pundits expected Mixon to take on that role. Oklahoma also lost three of its top four receivers from a year ago make sure it leads at halftime. Entering the season, Oklahoma has won 41 — Sterling Shepard, the son of former OU star Derrick Shepard, had 51 straight games when leading at the intermission. receptions a year ago, while no other returning player had more than 13.
CITY GUIDE
Dallas is the biggest city they’ll see all year. But for those fans, simply showing up for the game, spending a night or two in a hotel and then skipping out of town would be regrettable, to say the least. To get to the game, fans have to walk through the State Fair — an obvious attraction with its games, rides, car shows, animal shows and fried … everything. Dallas has so much to offer, and if you’re in town for the game, make sure to visit some of these attractions:
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view of the city. Now visitors can take advantage of two dining options at the top of the 560-foot tower, each of which is well worth checking out. For a casual lunch or dinner, there’s Cloud Nine Café, which offers burgers, salads, desserts, kids’ meals and an amazing view of Dallas. On a clear day, patrons can even make out the top of the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which is only 17 miles away. For those wanting a more luxurious experience, there’s Five Sixty, an award-winning Asian food restaurant by world-famous chef Wolfgang Puck. The food is extraordinary but also very popular. On a weekend like Texas-OU weekend, reservations (214-741-5560) are a good idea. The best part about either restaurant likely is the view, which never stops changing as the ball at the top of Reunion Tower rotates. During the day or at night, or even in the rain, the view is incredible. Dallas isn’t the first city that comes to mind when someone mentions a brewery tour, but Dallas offers some good ones, all close to Fair Park and downtown.
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Community Beer Company (www.communitybeer.com) has an outstanding array of brews and offers tours — with tastings — every Saturday, and a taproom that is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. See a first-ballot NBA Hall of Famer and the best basketball player to ever play at Texas — even if it’s an exhibition game. The Dallas Mavericks host Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder for a preseason game on Oct. 10. The Mavericks also play the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 12. Friday’s game is the obvious choice for Texas fans, considering Durant’s presence in American Airlines Center. If Durant’s career continues on its current arc, fans will have the opportunity to watch two first-ballot Hall of Famers in Durant and Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, who remains one of the best pure shooters in the NBA. At 36, Nowitzki is nearing the end of his incredible career. For those who live outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, this will be one of the last chances to
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see one of the best international players of all time and unquestionably the bestshooting big man ever. Couple that with the chance to see Durant and we’re sure to see you at the AAC. For ticket information, visit http://www. mavs.com/tickets/
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Reunion Tower was once the Dallas landmark that stood out against the night sky, with a rotating ball of lights. The tower’s claim to the night sky has diminished with the construction of numerous other high-rise buildings, but it remains an iconic fixture in the city’s skyline. Many fans are likely familiar with the landmark, but maybe not so much as to what’s available inside the ball of lights. For years, the tower offered a great place to enjoy an extraordinary
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The Dallas Zoo is exceptional, named in May (by USA Today) as one of the top 10 zoos in the nation. The Dallas Zoo was one of two zoos in Texas (along with the Houston Zoo) to be included in the top 10.
The Dallas Zoo (www.DallasZoo.com) is the largest in Texas, sitting on 106 acres, and recently added exceptional new exhibits such as the Giants of the Savannah, which made headlines last year for being the first in the country to successfully integrate elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches and impalas.
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Klyde Warren Park (2012 Woodall Rogers Freeway / www.klydewarrenpark.org / 214-7164500) was patterned after Central Park and built over a freeway that blows through downtown Dallas, but in a short
Deep Ellum Brewing (www.deepellumbrewing.com)(pictured right) also has an array of options, the most popular being the Deep Ellum IPA. Tours are offered every week, Thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from noon-3 p.m. Lakewood Brewing Co. (www. lakewoodbrewing.com) prides itself on its international influence. The tours feature six rotating taps of year-round, seasonal and special releases. Tours are offered Saturdays from noon-3 p.m. The $10 admission includes a souvenir glass, four eight-ounce samples (two samples for those arriving after 2 p.m.) and the informal tour. Events often include live music and food truck cuisine.
time has become a huge success with a little of something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy games (ping pong tables with equipment available on-site), a kids’ splash park, a dog park and a stage that frequently features live music and entertainment. When the pangs of hunger strike, there are countless restaurants within walking distance, but don’t miss the food trucks that often line the edges of the park, offering authentic local fare.
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GAME DAY STYLE BY JESSICA BURROLA
1 Ladies’ Game Day
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Available at the main UT Co-op in Austin, these American-made boots are double stitched and come from Nocona. Tailgating in these boots puts you on display as a die-hard Longhorn fan. If you order a size that the store doesn’t have in stock, the Co-op will place a special order. Orders ship in 7 to 10 business days.
A great shirt to add to any Longhorn collection for a die-hard fan. The shirt is made from 100 percent cotton with a shirt pocket on the left side.
Boots $399.99
2 Ladies’ Printed Small
Men’s Gingham Dress Shirt $ 54.99
$75.00
This bag is a top seller amongst Longhorn fashionistas! It contains zippered pockets inside with a magnetic clasp. You can also adjust the strap to your liking.
3 Ladies’ Filigree Heart
5 Men’s Game Day Boots
$39.99
Shaped Earrings
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2014 Men’s Coaches Elite Polo
The new 2014 men’s Coaches Elite Polo is finally here. This is another top-seller item that every Longhorn fan needs to add to their collection. The laser-perforated holes in the back collar keep your neck cool and dry.
Flap Shoulder Bag
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$399.99
$9.99
Ladies’ Longhorn Boot-cut Jeans $58.00 Who doesn’t love a great pair of jeans? Owning a pair of these darkwash jeans is an essential item to any Longhorn fan’s wardrobe. Each pair comes with a burnt orange or white embroidered Longhorn on the back pocket. These jeans are considered slim-fit, mid-rise jeans and the inseam is 34”.
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These great looking, double stitched, American-made boots from Nocona feature the Texas logo in the center and are perfect for kicking back! Your order will ship from the Main Store, if the boot is in stock it will ship immediately, if the boot is out of stock, a special order may take 7-10 days to ship. All outfits and accessories available at The University Co-op www.universitycoop.com
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COUR TESY THE UNI VERS ITY CO-OP
Jewelry is a great accessory to any Longhorn outfit. These silver drop heart earrings feature a romantic filigree pattern with a twisted rope outline and a single Texas orange bead.
THE DREA CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW 2014
Young and determined, the Longhorns race toward top 10 finishes this season
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HE TEXAS CROSS COUNTRY season is underway and the Longhorns are looking to make another strong showing this season. After finishing 14th at the NCAA Championships last year, the men’s team comes into this season in the No. 23 spot according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s (USTFCCCA) national preseason rankings. The Longhorns sit even higher in the South Central Region rankings, at the No. 2 position. The team trails Arkansas, which finished 12th at the national meet. The men’s team captured two first-place finishes last season — the Ricardo Romo Classic in San Antonio and the Texas Invitational in Round Rock at Old Settlers Park. In addition to those two victories, the squad finished in the top three at five races in 2013, including a thirdplace spot at the Big
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12 Championship and a second-place finish at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships. Several key runners return this season, with the exception of All-American Ryan Dohner — the Longhorns’ top performer at the NCAA Championships with an 11th-place finish. AllAmerican Craig Lutz will lead the men’s roster this season to more top finishes. Lutz took 15th at the NCAA Championships last year, along with fourth at the South Central Regional and sixth at the conference championship. With his placement at the national meet, the Longhorns were the only squad to have two runners place in the top 15. Five other
BY TAYLOR GRAFFT
seniors join Lutz for the 2014 season, rounding out a roster of 10 runners. The women’s team enjoyed some success last season as well. The Longhorns also took first place at the Ricardo Romo Classic and the Texas Invitational. On the season, the women finished in the top four five times, with fourth-place finishes at the South Central Regional and Big 12 Championships. They just missed qualifying for the national meet. Texas comes into this season without a national ranking but is among the top f ive
M CHASE teams in the region. At the No. 5 position, the women trail Arkansas, SMU, Texas A&M and Baylor. The women return only one senior this year — Alaina Perez — on a roster of 11 runners. Last season Marielle Hall led the women’s team, qualifying individually for the NCAA Championships. She finished 29th at the national meet. Earlier in the season, Hall brought home the Big 12 and South Central Regional individual titles. In addition to losing Hall, the Longhorns also lost key runners Brittany Marches and Megan Siebert. The coaches look to leverage this year’s strong incoming class to help boost the women back into the national spotlight. “There’s no doubt we added to our strengths and we filled in some holes, both men and women,” head coach Mario Sategna said. “Let’s wipe the slate clean and get ready to go.” Perez will lead the Longhorns this year, along with redshirt sophomore Kaleigh Ervin. Perez and Ervin finished 37th and 38th at last season’s national championship. Coach Brad Herbster enters his second year under Sategna and continues to focus on the distance and cross country runners. Prior to joining the Texas staff, Herbster spent four years at Clemson as an assistant coach and then was the associate head cross country
coach for his final season with the Tigers. Herbster looked forward to this season’s opening Bear Twilight Invitational. He viewed the race as an opportunity for the new runners to gain experience at the collegiate level and for the seasoned runners to prepare for this year’s competition. “The start of the season is exciting. It’s an opportunity for people to showcase the work they did over the summer,” Herbster said. “We’re providing an opportunity for runners on both sides to get some valuable experience as we’re focused on having great success at the end of the season. The team is looking good and meshing well.” Herbster rested a number of his top runners at the season opener — athletes that fans will see in the top seven come November when the teams start competing in the string of championship meets. By resting those runners, Herbster was able to see the type of depth his roster will hold this season, as well as evaluate the runners who are normally on the fence for postseason meets. “I wanted to see what our top three would do in this race and see how they react so we can get ready for the season,” he said. And in just that first meet, he was able to answer some questions as to who could add their names to the list and compete in the top seven later this fall. Both teams finished in fourth place. Robert Uhr, a sophomore from Lockhart,
finished in third place overall with a time of 18:25.30 in the 6,000-meter race. Junior Brady Turnbull finished two places behind him with a time of 18:41.50. Just missing the top 10 was redshirt-senior Eduardo Rodriguez, who finished 11th overall. For the women, redshirt freshman Katie Ruhala led the way with a 14th-place finish. She completed the 4,000-meter race in 14:27.90. Two freshmen made their debuts — Hannah Grubb and Jessica Ellis — and finished 16th and 17th, respectively. The program competed in two meets during September, including the UTSA Open on Sept. 19 and the Griak Invitational on Sept. 27. The Longhorns’ next meet is the NCAA PreNationals on Oct. 18 in Terre Haute, Ind. Texas concludes the season with the Big 12 Championships in Lawrence, Kan., on Nov. 1 and the NCAA South Central Cross Country Regional in Fayetteville, Ark., on Nov. 14. The Longhorns return to Terre Haute for the NCAA Cross Country Championships if the season goes as planned. And the teams’ performances and work ethic so far this season prove that Texas is already on the right track. “At Texas, we have to get the program to a point where no matter who we run, we’re competing to win races,” Herbster said, “and this is a starting point for our runners to become major contributors to our team.”
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YOUNG GUN SETTING THE STANDARD: As a freshman, Chloe Collins led her peers with nine starts. She finished the season with 21 kills, 403 assists and 32.5 points.
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Chloe Collins
COLLINS IS THE DEFINITION OF TEAMMATE BY SARA BETH PURDY
SOPHOMORE
Chloe Collins stepped onto the 40 Acres in spring 2013, she didn’t expect to make such a large and immediate impact for the Longhorn volleyball team. The defending 2012 National Champions lost only one member of an impressive roster, and Collins was competing against senior Hannah Allison for the starting setter spot. Allison was a favorite among Longhorn fans and instrumental in helping Texas defeat Oregon in the national championship. Collins looked forward to learning from her, all while adjusting to college volleyball. Yet, despite her expectations, Collins found herself in the starting position partway through the 2013 season. “I didn’t expect to play that much,” Collins reflected. “But I was seeking out every opportunity I could to touch the court.” Allison was a better and bigger blocker, comfortable with Texas’ style of play and used to playing with hitters Haley Eckerman and Bailey Webster. Collins, however, was faster and better defensively. She also had the ability — partially due to her shorter height — to easily move around the court to go after the ball.
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PR EVIOUS S PREAD: MATT HEM PEL/UNIV. OF TEXAS. ALL PHOTO S THIS S PREAD: PATR ICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS
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“We go with who has been doing well in the gym. Chloe is our starter,” head coach Jerritt Elliott said last October about Collins’ progress in the gym. “Sometimes you need to rely on the freshmen.” Collins led her freshmen teammates last year with nine starts. Despite the early spike in playing CONTINUED ON pagE 47
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Young Gun: Chloe Collins CONTINUED ON FROM PAGE 45: time,
Collins still had to compete against Allison. She spent a few matches out of the rotation where she didn’t see any playing time. But at the end of the season, both setters had accumulated substantial playing time, swapping starts and rotating on and off the court throughout each game. With nine starts (out of 21 matches) in 2013, Collins finished the season with 21 kills, 403 assists and 32.5 points. Against No. 13 Wisconsin in the 2013 National Championship semifinal round, Collins finished with five assists in the Longhorns’ loss. Collins was named the Big 12 Conference Rookie of the Week during the week of Oct. 28, 2013, for her performances in conference games on the road against Kansas State and West Virginia. During those games, she averaged 12 assists per set. While in high school, Collins was named one of 2012 Volleyball Magazine/Rox’s 25 Underclassmen to Watch, earned 2012 Under Armour High School All-America first team honors and competed on the United States Girls’ Youth National Team. So far this season, Collins has seen playing time in eight matches and leads the teams in assists (121) with an average of 5.50 assists per set (as of Sept. 23). She’s currently trading starts with sophomore Nicole Dalton, who was redshirted last year because of an injury, at setter. This season, Collin and Dalton will share time on the court because of a 6-2 configuration employed by Elliott. This configuration calls for two setters to be on the court at the same time, a configuration that was last used by Texas in 2009. This new offensive system will allow the Longhorns some flexibility during matches. On and off the court, Collins has a personality that’s as big as her game. Despite being one of the shortest members on the court with a height of 5’7”, she’s constantly seen bouncing
around the floor and giving high-fives to everyone she can. Her vibrant persona has made her a fan favorite in only her second year at Texas. When she first arrived on campus, she claims that she wasn’t her usual self while trying to adjust to college life and collegiate volleyball. Her change of personality was a direct result of her getting used to the new environment, but her usual self eventually came forward and the change was evident in her performance. “I’m a goofy person and when I’m being goofy, that’s good,” Collins told ESPN’s Graham Hays. “I tend to play better when I just let things flow.” Throughout the year, Collins holds a segment on TexasSports.com and the Longhorn Network called “Chloe’s Corner,” where her big personality seems right at home. During her show, Collins goes behind the scenes at team practices and photo shoots while interacting with her teammates. She brings out the personalities of her fellow volleyball players while playing the reporter and interviewing her teammates during practice. The segment gives fans a glimpse into the award-winning volleyball team when it’s not game time. While the season is still early, Collins is already living up to the expectations set by her coaches and fellow teammates — including the additional ones she took on when she became the lead setter. “She may be one of the most pure athletes I’ve ever coached,” Elliott said. Even though the practices are hard and the competition is harder — including the other Longhorn setters — Collins thrives off competition, insisting that it motivates her through each game to improve. “These girls come in every day and practice. They’re competitive. They go after it and make me want to go after it,” Collins said. “Being on a team with these people — it makes me a better player.”
Horns Illustrated (ISSN 1096-2573), Volume 21, Number 7. Copyright © 2014 by Texan Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Published nine times a year (monthly in January, February, March/ April, May, June, July, October, November and December) in the United States by Horns Illustrated, 1505 Ridgecrest Drive, Austin, TX 78746. Subscription inquiries: Send new or renewal notices or change of address (send both old and new addresses) to Horns Illustrated, P.O. Box 50069, Austin, TX 78763. Allow 6-8 weeks for change of address. Subscription problems: Call 855-246-7677. Subscription costs: U.S. and its possessions, one-year basic rate, $49.95. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER – send address changes to Horns Illustrated - P.O. Box 50069, Austin, TX 78763. Tel. (512) 626-8513. Publisher disclaims all responsibility to return unsolicited editorial matter, and all rights in portions published vest in publisher. Letters to Horns Illustrated magazine or its editors are assumed intended for publication in whole or in part without permission from the writer. Any similarity between persons or places mentioned in the fiction or semi-fiction and real places or persons living or dead is coincidental. Single copies: $4.95 in U.S. OCTOBER 2014
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FINAL SCORE
LEGOLAND
COURTESY IMGUR.COM
During childhood, some boys and girls play with Legos. Some children attempt to build pet salons or aircraft carriers, but usually these attempts end up in an interesting structure that barely resembles the end goal. But as people grow older, and if Legos are still lying around the house, some pretty amazing things could happen — such as a scaled-down version of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Imgur user baconeverywhere2 posted photos of his version of the stadium, complete with working jumbotron and seating for more than 100,000. The whole project, down to the green Lego tiles at the bottom, is 40 inches wide by 50 inches long.
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