Postgame React: Texas 41 Wyoming 10
by Peter Bean on Sep 13, 2009 12:59 AM CDT
in Texas Longhorns Football
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PrintThe outcome was: A matter of perspective. Today's game was sort of like being invited as a guest to dine at the restaurant with the three-star Michelin rating and the prettiest view in the city, only when you get there, the waiter botches your appetizer and takes two hours to bring you the main course, and when it finally arrives, it's not the steak that you ordered but some sort of fish. As you walk out the door after your meal, you're about to start complaining to your wife about everything that went wrong, but have to stop, because you realize not only was the entree you ate as tasty as anything you've ever had, but the restaurant next door burned to the ground while you were eating.
"You know what," you have to say, "that was pretty good, wasn't it?"
It sorta depends how you look at it, right? We might look at Texas' first half of offensive mediocrity, the special teams idiocy, and the tight halftime score and conclude, "Bad Texas. Bad, bad Texas." On the other hand, we might look at the second half, the final 31-point margin, and the scoreboard in Stillwater and conclude, "A fine day to be a Longhorn, indeed."
I'm inclined to the latter view for a number of reasons, confident that our special teams are better than that, Colt McCoy is better than that, our defense is straight sexy, and the second half showed some glimpses of what might be ahead for this Texas offense. Join me after the jump for discussion of Texas' 41-10 victory over Wyoming.
The Offensive MVP was: Dan Buckner & Tre' Newton. The sophomore "tight end" finished with 6 catches for 86 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown, while the redshirt freshman tailback scampered for 62 yards on 8 carries (including a 13-yard TD run) and hauled in a reception for 15 yards for good measure. These two, of course, are the fish in our happy metaphor -- not the steak we were expecting in August, but unarguably delectable nonetheless. Let's start with Buckner. It's fair to say Buck won't be a mauling blocker for our running game like Brandon Pettigrew was for Oklahoma State last year, but I've seen enough in two games to feel good about Texas' offense being strong enough to win the Big 12. He's got terrific hands, good body control, unfair height, and a powerful, long stride that make him a terrible match up for linebackers and safeties alike. As Colt grows more comfortable with him, he's going to be a force that elevates our pass and run games alike.
As for Newton, let the debates begin: how much should he play? Everyone was impressed with the redshirt freshman, and rightfully so, but those who bagged on McGee (who left with an ankle injury) are throwing out the baby with the bathwater. McGee finished with 61 yards on 11 carries (5.5 per), caught 2 passes for 9 yards, and picked up the blitz like a champ, freeing Colt to scramble around in the first half, staring at triple-teamed Jordan Shipley for 15 seconds. So no, the case for Newton has nothing to do with the ineffectiveness of a healthy McGee, who's been perfectly solid through two games. The difference is in the fit: Newton comfortably slides through our running lanes from the shotgun more naturally than does McGee. It's not an easy thing to do, which is why a guy as obscenely talented as Jamaal Charles often looked so lost trying to figure out where to go. There's a certain feel required to guesstimating where our zone-blocking ballerinas are going to create a crease and then slipping through it with downhill force. McGee is, in his third year, starting to get good at it; Newton looks like he's been doing it all his life.
If that's right, and not a small sample size anomaly, Newton needs more carries. More downs, period. He hits the LOS well, can catch passes, and picks up the blitz. There's a lot to like here. Even if we still like the steak.
The offensive Offensive LVP was: Charlie Tanner. Sometimes, I wish I'd not included this part of the Postgame React way back when I started it, because it's hard to bag on kids who do so many things right, even if they struggle on Saturdays. And Charlie Tanner does a lot right, by all accounts a true program soldier, terrific teammate, and student athlete. Unfortunately, superior blocking is not on the list. But Mack Brown professes to have turned a corner on his philosophy about all this, so we can just be blunt about it: If it's true that the best guys must play, and that those who don't have a role to play on the team by accepting their diminished roles, then Charlie Tanner should not be a starter. When Michael Huey was healthy, David Snow was a better option at left guard. And after this week's subpar performance, I'm of the mind that Tray Allen -- who showed up to play in the second half -- is the better option, too. We can focus on the quality of the other options, or we can just point out that Charlie Tanner is struggling. Either way, experience as measured in starts made is useless when the starts made are not quality ones. Move Tanner down the depth chart. Starting now.
Update: To be fair to Tanner, I meant to mention in here somewhere that his fellow starting linemen were particularly good, either. Ulatoski still doesn't move his feet well enough to be consistently good and Hall is an underized reacher. The right side of our line was better, but overall this unit has hardly been the asset we're told the "90 combined" starts means that it will be.
The Defensive MVP was: Sam Acho and Lamarr Houston. With a fist bump to the outstanding Keenan Robinson, one of My Guys for 2009, this has to go to Sam Acho and Lamarr Houston, who were just treacherous for Wyoming all day. Acho finished with 6 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (1 sack) and 1 fumble recovery and was as big a mismatch as Wyoming faced all day. The difference between Acho and his fellow defensive ends -- all talented and effective in their own right -- is his discipline. Rarely will you see Acho over-eagerly shoot up the field and out of position like you might with Okafor or Kindle; he's a model DE right now.
As for Houston... well, there aren't many bigger fans of the young man than yours truly and this was perhaps his finest game as a defensive tackle for Texas. Wyoming simply had no answer for his quickness, and with tag-teammate Kheeston Randall doing a better and better job all the time of occupying blockers, Houston's being freed to make plays like few inside guys can. I love the kid.
The offensive Defensive LVP was: None. No disrespecting anyone on this unit today, as they were nasty and focused from the start, not the least bit rattled by the offense's pedestrian start. I'd love to see this unit with Christian Scott in there -- Gideon is still solid, but limited -- but even there, given this team's week-to-week talent advantages and manageable schedule, there's a lot to appreciate in #21. What's really fun about this group is that they're so much further along than they were at this time last year, and yet they still might have as much room to grow as did last year's group. Randall is a great player who's just learning how to react, instead of think, out there -- getting better every down. Acho and Kindle are already great, and have guys behind them who will be soon. My man crush on Keenan Robinson swells by the minute. Curtis Brown is putting his athletic quickness to better and better use, Thomas and Williams are All-Conference guys, Gideon is as steady as you can hope for, and Chykie just needs more every-down focus to be as good as anyone out there.
(A nod here to our special teams, which were comically bad. I could literally do nothing but laugh when Gold's punt was blocked for a touchdown. A week after I beamed that we might have the "best special teams in the country," we got this circus. An anomaly, I'm sure, but still hysterically awful.)
On the Milk Carton: Malcolm Williams. I have lots and lots of nice things to say about John Chiles and James Kirkendoll, but what do we make of Malcolm Williams' lack of meaningful production so far? Is it an opportunity thing? A Malcolm thing? A small sample thing? A Greg Davis thing? I'd like to say that part of it is a schematic thing, but you know what, I watched Colt McCoy gobble up single coverage with Limas Sweed in 2006 (12 TDs) and have to believe that's doable at some level still. I'm open to your answers, if you have any. For now, I wait and wonder.
Garrett Gilbert watch: 2-3 for 16 yards. Not much of a factor today, thanks to the sluggish start keeping Colt in the game through most of the 4th quarter. Still, it doesn't take much to see from Gilbert that he may be literally the prototype quarterback for the offense Greg Davis has developed with Colt McCoy and wants to run moving forward. His arm is plenty strong, his accuracy is otherworldly, and his football instincts are natural and well-developed. If he stays healthy, he's going to win and win big.
Texas Tech Fear Factor: 4 out of 10. (5) is the baseline. +1 for Taylor Potts threw for 467 yards and 7 TDs today; -1 for Taylor Potts will be starting his third career game in Austin; -1 for Taylor Potts will be a Texas Tech quarterback in Austin; +1 for Texas' offense being vulnerable in a shootout; -2 for Will Muschamp not letting Texas get in a shootout; +1 for Greg Davis and his offensive line; +1 for Colt McCoy trying to do too much; -1 for Texas vastly superior depth on both sides of the football.
Heading into next week I feel: Demanding. Two games down, two comfortable wins, and two performances with lots to like and a few lingering questions that need resolving for this team to achieve its goals. I'll be the first to hush someone who tries to tell me I should panic, but neither will I deny that the current level of play leaves the team vulnerable to upset.
And that's the thing, really: I'm still extremely excited about this team and its potential, but the difference between the 2009 Longhorns being excellent and Pasadena-bound may well turn on how large or small are this team's margins for error. Last year, the margins for error were very slim; we pretty much had to have Colt McCoy play perfect football or we could be beat. He was nearly perfect, and so was the team. To elevate above and beyond that this year means increasing those margins for error. I'd argue we've seen that so far on the defensive side of the ball, but not yet on offense.
Texas Tech is one such team that can beat the Longhorns on a bad day. We saw it last year and, while it seems less likely to occur in Austin, could happen this year. I'll be watching closely this week to see what Texas brings to the field against Mike Leach, looking for lessons learned from last year and from the first two weeks of the season, in which Texas has been very good, but not yet truly great.
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So are you
And that’s why we love ya
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
Awesome writeup PB...
I don’t think I would add to any of your thoughts. It’s like you read my mind. Scary. :-)
Play like you mean it...
I keep expecting
A buildup to a sudden go-route to Malcolm Williams (like in last year’s Tech game) that never materializes. At some point we need to pull that knife out of the drawer; don’t we? I’m as baffled by the absence of Williams as you.
Another MIA today was Sergio Kindle – although certainly not for lack of effort. He was visible – flying around, making big hits (after the ball had gone elsewhere), causing the Wyoming tackles to account for him every second. But he didn’t make many plays on the ball, and that’s where your point about Acho’s discipline rings true. If Boom can just get Sergio to tone down that hellbeast within just one iota, then we’ve really got a shutdown defense.
Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
- Thomas Jones
The Achos are starting to get scary
I can’t tell them apart, but whenever something goes wrong with our opponents offense, there’s always one of them not far from the scene.
Either Kindle’s a secret weapon, or Randall/Houston/Acho are just outshining him. Either way, it’s not necessarily bad as long as the D keeps up the pressure.
by notsofst on Sep 13, 2009 1:35 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
the new Acho family motto...
“I can’t tell them apart, but whenever something goes wrong with our opponents offense, there’s always one of them not far from the scene.”
like that very much…
The offense is fine, IMO
we pretty much had to have Colt McCoy play perfect football or we could be beat. He was nearly perfect, and so was the team. To elevate above and beyond that this year means increasing those margins for error. I’d argue we’ve seen that so far on the defensive side of the ball, but not yet on offense.
My two pieces of evidence that Colt is getting some help are:
1. The athleticism of our recievers is absolutely sick. The quick sideline throw to Chiles that results in a TD today. Pitch and catch for McCoy, huge gain for the horns.
2. McCoy wasn’t the leading rusher. Newton / McGee are finding seams and making 8-9 yard gains. Heck, we might even get a first down on the ground or end up in some 3rd an shorts!
These two things are pressure valves for McCoy that we’re developing successfully so far, IMO.
My eyes are still trained on the defense. Today’s D was the D I want to see in every game.
"-1 for Taylor Potts will be a Texas Tech quarterback in Austin"
Nice.
The swine flu takes a Will Muschamp shot every September.
by pleaseplaykindle on Sep 13, 2009 1:46 AM CDT reply actions
Thank goodness our SoS doesnt include the Coogs
Im just glad we played Wyoming and not TCU or U of H. Hate to be OSU right now…. but they get what they deserved
I have no remorse for OSU, OU or the state of Oklahoma for that matter. Cant wait till GJ Kinne tears OU apart next weekend
"We'll be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!"
by greenspointexas on Sep 13, 2009 1:50 AM CDT reply actions
The Reverse Curse of Mack
with GJ Kinne and also Jevan Snead
yeah..
…we don’t mind if you transfer due to playing time, just when you spurn us before you get on campus.
by vy til i die on Sep 14, 2009 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Punt/Kich Blocking?
Why don’t we go for these anymore? Its like our special teams aren’t even trying to block the kicks and punts. They just run up to the blockers and then stand there…I don’t understand?
The swine flu takes a Will Muschamp shot every September.
by pleaseplaykindle on Sep 13, 2009 2:02 AM CDT reply actions
probably not enough discipline to dive at the ball and not hit the kicker?… roughing the kicker calls almost cost us last year’s RRS.
by Displaced Longhorn on Sep 13, 2009 4:17 AM CDT up reply actions
We go for it sometimes.
But it’s not a good idea to go after it every time. Circumstance has to dictate it. The reason they just stand there is because the coaches decided to not go for the block and so these guys are watching for a fake and waiting to block those “swinging gate” guys.
I haven't seen them try to block once so far this year.
Back in 05 we’d go all the time.
The swine flu takes a Will Muschamp shot every September.
by pleaseplaykindle on Sep 13, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Nice picture and caption, PB
I agree with your analysis. As I look back on this game, I have a more positive outlook: We got see some good things out of Newton and Buckner, and we got a nice game from McGee. Then there was Kirkendoll and Chiles with strong games.
Defensively, besides some shaky tackling, we were pretty darn good. I really, really hope to get Scott and Beasley back to bolster the depth here that is already impressive. I’ve been encouraged by the play by our DT’s so far as well, the biggest question mark this team faced.
Unfortunately, the only unit I don’t have a positive spin on is the offensive line. Not cool, guys. I understand that the altitude will affect the big boys the most, but they can’t play like that when we graduate to better competition.
by TheElusiveShadow on Sep 13, 2009 2:12 AM CDT reply actions
As I recall, Colt threw that ball away, unaware that McGee was in position to catch it.
Which he almost did, anyway. Almost.
In-VINCE-able.
by iamjackburton on Sep 13, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Academic issues
any news on the situation for Collins and Scott? and just wondering if anyone knows what prompted the switch back to Shipley on punt returns. I think he did a good job and looks like he could break one everytime but i thought the coaches decided that was to big of a risk.
Thomas made some bad decisions last week
Fielding some punts he shouldn’t have and not calling a fair catch on another when he should have. He dropped another INT this week so the coaches may have lost faith in his hands as well.
by Horncasting on Sep 13, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Thomas
I was suprised when he was back there fielding punts against ULM, i wonder if Monroe or Cu Brown will ever get a chance
Monroe supposedly doesn't have great hands either
If true I doubt he ever gets a shot. The speedster Goodwin was reportedly working on it at the open practices. Wonder if he’ll get a shot.
He has to have some catching skills
He was recruited to UT to play receiver.
"From the waist down, Earl Campbell has the biggest legs I have ever seen on a running back." -John Madden
by run Bevo run on Sep 13, 2009 9:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I really was not surprised by what happened yesterday
I know a lot of you are probably thinking that I am crazy if I thought the first half would have gone the way it did yesterday. Honestly I expected the first half to be half as bad as it was. I know Wyoming’s football program pretty well. I was born in Laramie (grew up in the D/FW metroplex) and I have a lot of family that grew up in Laramie and still live there so I have been to a few Wyoming games in my life time.
I knew when I saw this game on the schedule that the town was going to go nuts and that it might as well have been the Super Bowl for UW. There is always constant complaining at the university, town, and state about why they cannot get big name programs to come into town to play the football and basketball programs. Well they finally got their wish and as you can see the first half they played like it was their Super Bowl. Of course Texas’ poor offensive and special teams play were definitely helping them along.
I was thinking worst case scenario that at the end of the 1st half Texas would be up 17-0, 21-7 kind of thing. Something to give the Wyoming fans a glimmer of hope, but not to much. Then I figured the second half would go the way that it did. As much as I hate to say it, the refs were absolutely horrible, they had no clue as to what was going on. Called some horriffic holding calls against Texas that when they showed the replay that the refs looked as they were trying to help Wyoming out. Then to top it off they called a block in the back penalty on a punt return on #10. I started screaming at the t.v. that we do not have a #10 because the number is retired.
After all that I am glad that the bad first half of play did happen and that it came against Wyoming. Historically Texas has always had that one game with that one bad first half i.e. the numerous Ok. St. games and of course last years first half in Lubbock. I think Colt needs to relax and remember that he can still use those feet, that he needs to use those feet. Especially on zone coverage. All in all the game turned out like it was supposed to, but there are definitely some improvements to be made especially on the offensive side of the ball. I also wonder if the Horns were maybe looking a little bit ahead to next week as well.
The next up and coming Longhorns QB!
Great addition
to PB’s analysis. Yeah I can see the Wyoming team and fan base going psycho over this game. It showed, Wyoming came to play and to hit, and I was impressed with that.
Play like you mean it...
Newton should start, not down on Vondrell, just believe Newton offers more upside. Couple of additional thoughts: special teams and penalties killed us on Sat. That can and will be fixed. Our receivers are maturing and becoming a as good a collective group as any in the Big 12. O-line needs to improve, too much pressure on Colt. No one respects Colt more than I do, but something is off so far this year with him. The accuracy is off, and the decision making is not what it needs to be. The defense, ouside of Kindle, has been exceptional. Sergio has been invisible, why? All in all, we are 2-0 and I want a whooping of TT. That Crabtree catch will haunt us till the end of time. Hook ’em — Texas vs. Florida for the NC, keep the faith!
by Hook 'em From NJ on Sep 13, 2009 6:46 AM CDT reply actions
re:Malcolm
I’ve read that Malcolm doesn’t play consistently well in practice — lots of drops. I’ve never seen him drop a ball in a game. In fact, I think I’ve only seen two incompletions on balls thrown his way in games. I still expect big things from him.
Also, did anyone else notice that in that 2 minute drill to end the first half, Shipley seemed to have slid over into his old slot position?
ship
yes, he did slide over on the scoring drive at the end of the half and caught to passes in a row from that position. it was a good move by Davis to get our offense moving.
Good point
Hadn’t noticed the move by Shipley. I think at that point in the game McCoy and Davis were only going to go to the receiver they knew was not going to have a drop.
by Horncasting on Sep 13, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Having watched Tre for three years at SLC, PB nailed one of his best qualities — gliding effortlessly through the seams he is given, not forcing them. Appears sort of “slippery”. The other, and one he had to develop in a single back offense like Carroll’s, is a excellent ability to pick up the blitz. Get a little beef on him, and he will be a monster.
And, yea, Kirkendoll’s run after catch was a thing of beauty. One thing to go get the ball, quite another to do something with it once you do.
Hailing from the metroplex...
I watched him play a handful of times in high school. In addition to bringing the things you mention, I thought he looked considerably more explosive yesterday than he ever did in high school. A great development for Texas, no doubt.
Beyond Newton's running...
I agree wholeheartedly with his blocking ability. He made more than a few key blocks and was the one who sprung Dan Buckner for his TD with a downfield block.
I noticed that too...
…Tre had some really nice blocks. Shipley, on the other hand, stood out to me for unfortunately missing a few run blocks on Saturday…
saw this on shaggybevo.com and i completely agree... this happens almost every week
I want to see some Tre in the first half this week, but I’m not ready to make the leap that he’s the real deal. He could be, but . . .
If Vondrell doesn’t get hurt it might’ve been his 2nd half runs putting Wyoming away. The biggest changes from half one to two were our o-line showing a bit more fight and Wyoming’s guys coming down from playing way over their heads. Not the playcalling, and maybe not the guy toting the rock.
We’ve seen this movie before – one guy looks mediocre against a jacked up defense early, then another guy comes in when the same blown assignments up front suddenly get executed well as our talent and depth take over and he becomes the guy we all pine for. Heck, even Jamaal Charles benefited from this pattern with his sputtering first halves followed by phenomenal, game-saving 4th quarters in 2007.
Maybe Tre’s “the guy.” It would be nice to have a feature back again. But in all likeliness we just saw Tre grab the 3rd down back role for good, but nothing more.
"We'll be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!"
by greenspointexas on Sep 13, 2009 9:30 AM CDT reply actions
A couple of my observations....
1) Did anyone notice the “Lawrence Taylor” like hits that Kindle was getting on their QB in the first half?
2) I thought that the play-calling in the first half made zero sense. All of the two-yard completions got us no where. Our strengths on offense were that we are bigger and faster so why not run the ball? Second, what the hell is up with a fake punt inside your own 10 yard line? In a close game with rabid fans? To quote Tony Burton from the Rocky movies “They don’t know it’s a damned show…they think it’s a damned FIGHT!”. Once we opened up vertically….things got better.
3)Can Blake Gideon please take some more ball-catching practice?
4) Got Achos?
5)Tre Newton needs to be on the field a lot more. I’m thinking screen passes. On that note, getting DJ Monroe on the field more is something that we need to figure out too. I’m not giving up on Vondrell McGee yet but there’s something that doesn’t look right to me. He fumbled a few times against ULM and looked like he was about to yesterday on a couple of occasions.
6) The refs just SUCKED (and I never bitch about the refs).
1. Yeah, the predator was a half-step from about four sacks yesterday.
2. If Colt doesn’t sail a couple balls or the line keeps the heat off a little longer then the play calling doesn’t look bad. Poor execution more than play calling in the first half.
3. Blake played very, very well. Hard to find something to complain about in his play.
4. No doubt.
5. We’ll see. He certainly looked good yesterday.
6. Truth, but they sucked both ways pretty evenly.
Point taken on Gideon. I didn’t mean to make it sound like he had a crappy game but when he dropped that pick….well, you know… ;-(
As the saying goes, if he could catch balls, he wouldn't be playing defense. nt
In-VINCE-able.
by iamjackburton on Sep 13, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions
I find that cliche ridiculous
It makes it sound like defensive players are “the ones who can’t play offense” for one reason or another. To this I retort: “If he could hit people, he wouldn’t be playing offense.” Both of which are true and untrue at once, thank you generalizations.
by Horn Brain on Sep 13, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
All of the two-yard completions
There were 4 completions that covered less than 5 yards in the entire first half. Over the course of 7 drives.
I just don’t understand the singling out of Gideon. Earl dropped another INT in this game as well but nobody seems to notice. Gideon was the best tackler in the secondary in this game. Everyone wants to bag on him for lack of creating turnovers, and yet only one starter in the secondary has created one this year.
Vondrell did fumble yesterday, but UT recovered it. That’s 3 in 2 games.
by Horncasting on Sep 13, 2009 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
McCoy
He reminds me of the 2007 version more than the 2008
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
it was 1 game
in this air. It will do that to a QB who isn’t used to it. He only made 2 poor decisions the whole game. If you want to blame somebody who looks like 2007, I’d go with the O-Line. They were very poor. Still didn’t allow a sack if i remember correctly, however.
Due to last year, we are spoiled!
Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.
Hmm....
Colt in 2007, through the first 2 games:
47/71 (66.2%), 462yds, 3TD, 4INT
Colt in 2009, through two games:
51/76 (67.1%), 654yds, 5TD, 2INT
Colt in 2008, through two games:
48/64 (75%), 553yds, 8TD, 1INT
If you read the post on “regressing to the mean” on Barking Carnival, you would know that Colt’s insane accuracy might be untenable going into this season. If you take away the accuracy stats, I’d still say Colt 2009 is much more like Colt 2008 than Colt 2007.
caution: blatant thread hi-jack
Sorry, but I just saw the College Gameday promo with MB and “Texas Fight”. Thought I was going to effin’ die laughing. Maybe I am just late to the game, but that was the first time I had seen it.
Any announcement yet on CGD being in Austin this week? Don’t think there is a better game to promote.
Special special teams
The special teams was awful, especially in the first half. Fake punt inside the 10, really? Blocked punt for a touchdown. They sure made the game a lot closer than it needed to be at halftime. In the second half, the fake field goal run by Shipley was painfully obvious. Just leave the offense in and run the ball.
The offense really started to click in the second half. I liked seeing Kirk and Buckner get their first touchdowns of the season, and Chiles a second. Now they’ve been there so they can get down to business.
On a brighter note
KO returns looked really good and could play a huge role for us this year. Plus it is another way to get Malcolm Williams and DJ Monroe the ball in space.
Wish they’d find someone to replace Shipley (due to injury concerns, not productivity).
by Horncasting on Sep 13, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I think I'm in the minority here...
…but I don’t think that a majority of the pressure that got to Colt was the fault of the O-line. I read an article the other day (which for the life of me, I can’t find right now) that talked about how last year, every team decided to blitz Colt rather than drop extra men into coverage. Texas’ coaches asked the coaches of a team that they weren’t going to play anymore why they did this and they said, in effect, “he’s too good and too accurate that he would pick apart a zone; the only way to beat him is to get pressure on him and not give him time to pick it apart.” It didn’t work of course.
But it really seemed yesterday that Wyoming decided to take the opposite tact. Wyoming dropped everyone into coverage and for a variety of reasons, it screwed Colt up and he held onto the ball a lot longer than he should have. (i) Colt has either been told not to or has decided himself not to run, (ii) Colt stared down a heavily-covered Shipley on a lot of plays rather than making his progressions, (iii) Wyoming actually has a pretty decent secondary.
Colt held onto the ball way too long and, eventually, Wyoming got some pressure with a 3 or 4 man rush. Sure, an elite O-line would be able to handle that better than ours did, but I don’t think anyone ever thought these guys were elite. And of course, there were also a few times where the O-line just flat out blew assignments and the pressure was their fault. But all in all, I think the O-line is what we thought it was. Colt’s indecision and Wyoming’s defensive strategy just made it look worse than it actually is. I don’t think we have anything more to worry about with this unit than we did before the game.
Great point
about 7-8 defenders on every play. Colt had time, he made his progression of reads — and nothing was there. Very different from a year ago.
Bet the Wyoming coaches did the opposite of what Mizzou did, and paid for, last season. GD needed to start holding somebody in the backfield, then flaring him into the open spot a coupla beats after the snap.
This was kind of my thought too
It seemed Colt got a good 3-5 seconds to take a look downfield but never found something he liked.
I think Wyoming’s coverage was pretty decent, until they got winded in the second half. GD never turned around a committed to a running game, so it just led to the Horns stagnating and letting Colt try to pick apart Wyoming’s secondary in thin air.
I don’t really know if there’s anything to worry about any more than what we knew last week about our O-line.
I don’t think we have anything more to worry about with this unit than we did before the game.
Unless teams with better defenses learn from Wyoming’s success?
That doesn't have anything to do with the O-line though.
Other teams may have learned something about Colt’s tendencies when the D doesn’t blitz, but I don’t think they learned anything about the O-line that they didn’t already know.
BZ,
the problems came with the fact that they could drop the 7-8 back in coverage and still get pressure. The pass in the picture at the top of this post, the one going over the head of McGee, (I am not positive this is the play) but I am pretty sure they only rushed 3 on that play, and they still forced Colt out of the pocket to his right, and pressured him into throwing it high.
They did that far too often for Wyoming.
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
Sure.
But what I’m saying is that if Colt stands there staring at double-covered Shipley for 6 seconds, a 3-man front is going to to get pressure. Occasionally, it was the O-line’s fault. Occasionally, it was Colt’s fault. Occasionally, it was just good defense by Wyoming.
My point was that this is pretty much what we expected out of O-line going into the game (i.e. good but not elite), and therefore, the O-line wasn’t “exposed” as some seem to think it was. I’m not saying our O-line played great or anything. Just making a point about our expectations being more or less met.
I guess my expectation is that even
a “Good” UT O-line should never allow a 3 man rush to get to the QB in Wyoming, even if we are not elite. But I hear ya about Colt holding it and staring down recievers. I didn’t notice that aspect during the game.
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
I agree
Colt did not throw on time many, many times. By the time he would give up looking downfield, even the dump pass to his running back was covered. Dumping the ball to the running back when the receivers are covered was a very high priority for GD and Colt since last season. Holding onto the ball so long leads to sacks, fumbles, interceptions, and holds.
A QB has to either throw it in rhythm, dump it to a running back or TE, throw it away, or run with it.
Part of the problem might have been that not all the UT receivers knew where to sit down in the holes in the zone.
“But it really seemed yesterday that Wyoming decided to take the opposite tact. "
Do you mean “tact” or “tack”?
Tack.
You ever have those unusual words/idioms that you learned from hearing not from reading and it took you a long time to figure out what exactly the word/idiom was and even when you do figure it out, it’s so ingrained in your head that unless you are consciously thinking about it, you write/say it incorrectly half the time? “Opposite tack/tact” is like that for me.
As a Math teacher
I reserve the right to make up those words/idioms as best fits into my point. I highly recommend this philosophy to anyone.
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
Fake punt
WTF was the deal with the fake punt on the 10-yard line??? I heard Mack say that the punter made the decision on his own but I can’t find anything on it – maybe I’m not looking hard enough.
by OU Always Sucks on Sep 13, 2009 11:45 AM CDT reply actions
There is no way Mack called that.
It’s the exact opposite of his style to gamble like that. Because of Tucker’s rugby-style of punting that involves him running off to the side, he probably has a loose option to keep running if the opposing team doesn’t have anyone in the area.
The problem here is that there actually were defenders there. My guess is that Tucker’s “option” was taken away about 3 seconds after he took off.
Mack said in the half time interview:
“Its a young man deciding to fake a punt on his own…”
So yeah. Its that.
The swine flu takes a Will Muschamp shot every September.
by pleaseplaykindle on Sep 13, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Mack said after the game
that they’ve told Tucker that if it is a no brainer to pick up the first down then go for it. Someone else pointed out that he could have easily made it on the prior punt so the coaches may have reiterated that to him at what turned out to be the absolute worst time.
Someone should preface all of that with...
…if you are at 4th and 6 inside your own 20, punt every time.
But what if there’s a big hole —
Punt.
-but even if-
Punt.
What if everyone leaves the playing field —
Punt.
The swine flu takes a Will Muschamp shot every September.
by pleaseplaykindle on Sep 13, 2009 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey
If he’d made that first down, he’d be a hero. I, for one, like his gusto.
He’s probably been building up to that attempt for months now, and the poor kid botched it.
Better he works out his kinks early, so he can pull a good one in the NC game. ;)
Nice write up
An enjoyable read though I disagree with the Big U comments, all the kid did was pitch a shut out Sat and his man didn’t get close to Colt through the 1st half (haven’t watched the 2nd yet). A minor nitpick.
One 1st half observation, we lost about 5 1st downs to weird plays, 2 phantom holding calls, dropped passes, uncharacteristic Colt bad throws. We should have gone hurry up sooner as it worked great once we tried it.
Great React PB
I work at the Newspaper here in Austin and a few sports writers there (Kirk Bohls)could take a few tips from you man. You’re awesome. But enough of showering you with unwanted man-love. To the game.
No more vanilla game plan excuses. Davis and Muschamp were just hiding all the things that are going to make this team extra special right? I hope so because we’re not going to be able to use the simple play calling excuse next Saturday. They will be pumped for it but I think there’s reason to worry about a game maybe like Kansas or Missouri.
Where is Sergio Kindle? The D looks great but it is Wyoming. I know they run a spread but at some point there will be some much better athletes in those receiver spots and then we’ll see what we’re made of. I think this D can be at the 2005 caliber eventually. Or at least close to it. And that I think would even be enough to beat Jesus Christ himself and his 21 disciples(Florida).
You can't spell COCKSUCKER without OU.
I am started to think all the hype about kindle is just BS..
His moves are simple and doesnt seem like he is comfortable going against a Tackle…
I understand that we didnt blitz much against Wyoming, cuz Benjamin is a mobile/elusive QB…hopefully we will see more blitzing packages against Tech.
Werent we known for good special team playing? We didnt go after the Wyoming punter once!
COACH BOOM BABY!!
Terrific analysis. Especially
The Achos. McGee. Tanner. Tech and Potts and playing in Austin. A few points:
1. I wonder if Malcolm Williams is being bypassed because the staff wants to see Kirkendoll in an expanded role, and Chiles and Buckner in new ones. Also, Malcolm is a home run hitter, and — I sense this, no empirical evidence — Mack doesn’t want to blow out early opponents with long TD plays because it limits the chances for meaningful snaps.
2. Kindle is trying too hard for postseason awards “memorable” plays, plus defenses are playing away from him (for obvious reasons).
3. The absence of kick-blocking efforts is to save those for more threatening opponents.
4. The decision to start Tanner is because Snow has such value as a second option at three positions (assuming Huey is able to return). Some depth/versatility disappears if Snow is the every-down LG.
Ship at WR impacts Malcolm
Now that Ship is the number one deep threat the coaches may think there is less need for Malcolm’s talents. Chiles is splitting a position with Malcolm and getting more snaps than Malcolm. Maybe Chiles catches the ball better in practice than Malcolm.
Overlooking Wyoming
I truely think these boys were overlooking this game and headed straight for tech.. Im sure the coaches gave there dont overlook these guys but come on Tech cost us a shot at the NC last year how could you not be thinking about them would be real hard for me. Now they come out next week and play like shit then we can all start the Colt debate.. Its one game before an important game I think we come out and hammer tech 45 – 10
PB, thanks
for the insightful recap. Ahh yeah! Newton, the new shining star who born out of the galaxy! But whether he will have the same playing time on Tech game, it remains to be seen.
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