Texas 22 Nebraska 20 - Initial Thoughts

by PB @ BON on Oct 21, 2006 2:45 PM CDT in Football Comment 53 comments

Well, that was interesting, wasn't it? After a first quarter in which we felt our way out, Texas unloaded on the Huskers in the second quarter and held a fairly commanding 16-7 lead at half. In the second half, Texas had to kick to Nebraska. Presumably, that meant we decided to keep the wind for the 3rd quarter. And it makes no sense, because we played the 3rd quarter as if we were up by 20 points, instead of up by 9.

Defensively, things were fine for Texas, except for three big plays. The first touchdown, a collision between Freshman Beasley and Senior Mike Griffin. Second, the shovel pass with THREE missed tackles. Third, the halfback toss, where Aaron Ross and Mike Griffin both got smoked on a terrific play call by Callahan.

Fortunately, Texas won, with another great day winning the turnover battle. Still, there's no excuse for the way we played that second half. Credit to Nebraska for hanging around and taking advantage of the opportunities Texas gave them. They played hard, and could have easily won. For Texas, a great win, of course, but one that we should learn from. Playing that tenderly with a lead is a bad idea. We won today, but the defense had to force a late turnover to make it happen.

We did a lot of good things today, and quite a few questionable things. The win is critical to the team's goals for the season, and we'll celebrate it for today before discussing the details of the game tomorrow and Monday.

Congrats to the Horns on a gutty win in a hostile environment.

--PB--

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Comments

Kasey Studdard

Is my offensive MVP. Sure he never advanced the ball but he covered fumbles twice (in the same drive? I can't remember) which would have ended it for Texas.

41-38

by inVINCEable on Oct 21, 2006 2:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I

second. excellent job by Studdard

by loganck on Oct 21, 2006 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

I thought Ulatoski got one and Studdard got one.

by ImBobbo on Oct 21, 2006 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

MVP

Studdard recovered a key fumble in the Rose Bowl too. If Texas is playing a big game and the QB is putting the ball on the ground, that big bearded guy is sniffing out the fumble.

by Longhorn13 on Oct 21, 2006 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Third

I third the motion nominating Kasey Studdard for Offensive MVP. I was kind of shocked when he recovered Cosby's fumble 15 yards downfield.

by AMB on Oct 21, 2006 2:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Aaron Ross

ALL-AMERICAN CB!!

by kirk1005 on Oct 21, 2006 2:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Aaron Ross is clutch

He's like the big papi of Texas football. That game was over if they got that first down.

by ImBobbo on Oct 21, 2006 2:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully this is our one game of the year...

where we make stupid mistakes, don't convert when we need to, and let the other team have some big plays, but still come up with the win. OK St. last year, kansas year before, etc.

I seriously cannot take these games.

by JohnsonUT on Oct 21, 2006 2:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Red zone

We've got to work on the red zone offense, it was terrible today, terrible. We couldn't even score a TD on 1st and goal from the 2.

Why we had over 40 pass attempts (including sacks on McCoy) and 25-30 running plays (estimate) is beyond me, especially with the wind and snow being a factor.

Our secondary gave up nearly 300 yards passing again, we've got to be getting near the bottom of the national rankings on pass defense. I have little to no faith in this part of our defense at this point, they've been consistantly bad against good competition. I am not looking forward to our trip to Lubbock next weekend, no matter how inconsistand TTU has been.

by AMB on Oct 21, 2006 3:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Red Zone

I was more upset with red zone playcalling. What was with that pass before the winning field goal? Why not run the ball to line up the kick and run the clock? It made no sense.

I figure GD wanted a PI call, but it was way too risky.

by ImBobbo on Oct 21, 2006 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1st and Goal from the 2

... and no Melton?

Guess Mack has completely lost faith in this guy. I watched Melton's twin (Wisconsin RB PJ Hill) bull his way into the end zone from 1 and 3 yards out in their rout of Purdue, and kept thinking... "why can't Hank do that???".

Real men DO watch volleyball - AND women's basketball!

by patienthornsfan on Oct 22, 2006 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I expect

the offense will be improved when we go to Lubbock, for obvious reasons. Even so, I agree with AMB that settling for a field goal on 1st and goal from the two is unacceptable. I think we could have got a TD in 2 plays, tops if we had just banged it down the middle instead of all this screen, sideline running, etc. If it didn't work after you tried it 5 times, what makes you think it will work on the 6th?

Still, great job by Nebraska of taking advantage of every oppurtunity Texas gave them.

by boomhauer25 on Oct 21, 2006 3:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This was another Texas-NU classic

First the bad-

Two missed field goals

One blocked extra point

Taking the 20mph wind in the third quarter instead of the fourth???

Taking the wind in the third quarter---and not doing anything with the advantage!!!

Kicking the field goal on 4th and goal from the 4, after missing two already? (This one is controversial...but if the Horns had scored, they would have been up by at least 8, possibly 10. If they didn't make it, Nebraska would have started the drive on the Texas 4 instead of the 35.)

A stupid, stupid, stupid roughing the passer penalty giving Nebraska yet another chance.

Now, the good--

Colt McCoy...he's a freshman.

A Longhorn Win (in a tough stadium to win in).

The Cornhusker fans...they are not as sportsmanlike as they used to be (i.e. the plastic bottle thrown on the field, picking up OU's annoying horns down hand sign, etc.), but they are still some of the classiest fans in the NCAA.

A win is a win. But remember Horns, we will probably meet the Huskers again in Kansas City this December...and they will be looking for some payback.

by 1988 Longhorn on Oct 21, 2006 3:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Poop

I lost this game for Nebraska. I had talked earlier to BON about my theory that if I didn't unleash profanities that we'd be okay.

I only dropped one f-bomb today. Right after Taylor's turnover. Next play, your big bomb to Sweed. So you can thank me for making your day.

Hope your guys are okay. It's never good when you're laying on your stomach during an injury. I always worry about that when I see it - it's not a good thing.

You bastards!

Jon Johnston
Corn Nation

Go Big Red Nebraska!
http://www.cornnation.com

by cornnation on Oct 21, 2006 3:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Kudos to Nebraska

Gave us all we could handle and took advantage of the opportunities. Y'all had three big plays on offense to our one. Nice job by Callahan.

Looking forward to a potential rematch in KC.

by PB @ BON on Oct 21, 2006 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

one f-bomb?

I don't know how you managed that, but thanks for the helping the Longhorns win.

Good thing that kind of jinx doesn't work on me. No TV here in LA, so I was following the game on the web, and I was cursing considerably more than you were. An exciting game, we were lucky to win, wish I could've seen it.

Looking forward to the rematch.

by rezboscace on Oct 21, 2006 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder

if anyone, at all, had EVER heard of Ryan Bailey before that kick.

by boomhauer25 on Oct 21, 2006 3:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I did

He lived in my dorm last year :p

by whoopspat on Oct 21, 2006 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i had no idea

bailey was behind johnson on the depth chart....

by longhorneD on Oct 21, 2006 3:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I need an explanation

On Hunter Lawrence. This is curious

by PB @ BON on Oct 21, 2006 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mack loves walk-on kickers?

They seem to win games for us. I remember quite a few of Dusty Mangum's retard-like celebrations after a game-winning field goal. I hope this new kid can provide me with the same joy.

by chief on Oct 21, 2006 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember this from before

I don't know which game, but I remember hearing that Bailey was second in field goals, but Lawrence was second on kickoffs, and Gerland in punts. So I wasn't totally shocked to see Bailey.

by hornbone on Oct 21, 2006 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would like to mention..

That we beat a very good, very well-prepared Nebraska team in a close game.

However, do you really think the media is going to look favorably upon UT after that "near loss"?

How many times did USC barely pull off a win last year (or hell, this year) and get nothing buy praise by the media and the pollsters.

I think UT is going to suffer on both fronts.

by chief on Oct 21, 2006 3:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I dunno about that

When you get to this point in the season, wins become wins. Style points become less important.

Bottom line is Texas really needs a lot of help. They aren't going to get into the title game by style pointing their way in, more than likely.

Realistically, they need other teams to crumble around them. When other teams get upset, that's what the pundits talk about.

by PB @ BON on Oct 21, 2006 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just tired

of Texas not getting the respect it deserves in the media.

by chief on Oct 21, 2006 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand where you're coming from

But, we are ranked #5 by the AP and Coaches. We're in good position, poll-wise.

I think the tides have turned in the media. VY changed things, and Mack's done a great job this year with the frosh quarterback, and so forth. I don't think we have a media perception problem anymore.

by PB @ BON on Oct 21, 2006 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Media on the Horns

As an aside to your "media" comments - I am out on the left coast and they weren't carrying it live on ABC, so I had to listen on yahoo. Later while driving was listening to ESPN GameDay on the radio and the guys were just "Giddy" at the thought of Texas losing to Nebraska. They all but called it and I thought it was over until I walked into the In n Out Burger in Palm Springs and a generous SC fan was following it on his blackberry and gave me the good news. I don't think the Horns or Mack will ever be media darlings.

by swaushorn on Oct 22, 2006 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We see this

In two games this past weekend. Texas played a tough game against a ranked opponent and shut down a huge rushing team on the ground. The headline? "Texas off hook". UCLA, an unranked team, goes to South Bend and plays tough against the Domers until the very end in which they hand over the game by going into a zone prevent. Notre Dame wins a close one at home against an unranked team. The headline? "Notre Dame Magic"

People refuse to beleive Texas can be a top tier team. Even now we're ranked high in the coaches poll but the media is still saying things about how a one loss SEC team is better than any other team in the nation and even sillier comments about Notre Dame being a better football team. People just don't like to like the Longhorns and because of it, they always play with a chip on their shoulder

41-38

by inVINCEable on Oct 22, 2006 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're only being disrespected

by the computers, I think.
But this win will do nothing but help our standings in the computers. Not by a whole lot, though.

by boomhauer25 on Oct 21, 2006 4:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Weather a factor

We might attribute some of the problems to the wind and snow. At very least the weather was a distraction.

You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy. --Charles Manson

by Caradoc on Oct 21, 2006 5:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Longhorns in the snow

When was the last time the Horns played in falling snow? I can't recall any other game.

Herkey the Hawkeye is the second best mascot in NCAA football.

by 1988 Longhorn on Oct 21, 2006 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Help

I could not watch the game today -- what a game to miss! -- but have read every article I could online describing the game.

Will someone please explain to me why, in seemingly poor weather conditions and with among the best O lines and RBs in the country, we had 39 PASS ATTEMPTS and only 23 RB RUSHES (plus 11 carries for 10 yards by McCoy). Our RBs averaged almost 5 yards per carry, and so we punish them -- and ourselves -- with giving them 6 carries per quarter?

Why, oh why, do we limit ourselves like this? Is GD our offensive coordinator or the opponent's defensive coordinator? I suspect the latter because he is the only person this year that has shut down our impressive running game.

by Allaha on Oct 21, 2006 6:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We ran quite a bit

And probably could have run more. One thing, Allaha, is that we had too many east-west runs that were slow to develop and didn't gain much yardage. We talk about the vertical passing game a lot, but it's the vertical running game that's not present right now. There were some good runs on the outside, but not enough straight ahead rushes.

Something we really need to improve. I'll have full breakdowns of this tomorrow and Monday.

by PB @ BON on Oct 21, 2006 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Colt was a heck of a weapon today. He was doing a great job when he was asked to throw it down the fieldd. With Nebraska stacking up against our run, he did a fabulous job in the nasty weather to keep our drives moving.

by PB @ BON on Oct 21, 2006 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the I-formation is so much more effective....

than the zone read rush. almost every time we lined up in the I, we got 4-5 yards at the least.

Can someone please explain why we had 4th and goal at the 2 and didn't just line up in the I with Lokey at FB and bash it in 3 straight times? Instead we screw around with pitches and horizontal passes and settle for a field goal.

by billyzane on Oct 21, 2006 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

okay, i forgot...

lokey was hurt. that might have played a part in the decisionmaking, but seriously, even with ogbonnaya, i think we should have done it.

by billyzane on Oct 21, 2006 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tweadie

Tweadie, a senior, also screwed us with a false start inside the five.

The red zone performance today left a lot to be desired. Certainly something we'll work on.

by PB @ BON on Oct 21, 2006 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's also Melton

I don't recall seeing him in an offensive formation all game.

by chief on Oct 21, 2006 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1000 Yard Rusher

This will be the first time in as long as I can remember that Texas will end up without a 1000 yard rusher. We thought it would happen last year, but VY kept the streak alive with his Superman game at the Rose Bowl. There's just no way anyone is going to approach that milestone this year. Especially shocking, since we all thought that Texas would be relying on its ground game to win this season. And we have an extra game! Puzzling.

Jamaal Charles: 90 526 3 46 5.8 75.1
Selvin Young: 76 403 4 37 5.3 57.6

Real men DO watch volleyball - AND women's basketball!

by patienthornsfan on Oct 22, 2006 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Texas

Has 6 games left. It's still possible. Improbable based on the previous playcalling but still possible. If Jamaal gets a great game every game from now on it could happen. But again completely unlikely

41-38

by inVINCEable on Oct 22, 2006 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

charles

He only needs to average 79 yards a game the rest of the way to reach 1000. I do not think he needs a great game every game from here on out. Granted he is only averaging 65 but one big game and keep his current avaerage and he could easily do it.

by billb on Oct 22, 2006 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess

Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Texas a&m are all 50 or below in defending the rush. Hopefully, the playcalling won't suck and each of our backs will get it 15 or more.

41-38

by inVINCEable on Oct 22, 2006 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Many thanks . . .

to all of you who answered and explained why we did not run more (as well as those whom, like me, questioned why we did not run more).

Because I did not see the game -- arrrgh! -- I cannot comment on the efficacy of our RBs beyond looking at the stats. Although I agree that we have had issues with our vertical running game -- great phrase, HornsFan -- at 5 yards per carry it would appear that our (non-Colt) running game was working, certainly well enough to merit more than 23 carries.

by Allaha on Oct 22, 2006 12:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disrespect???

Please tell me someone did not just play the respect card. There is nothing worse. We're sitting at #5 in both polls behind a freshman quarterback. I would say that is showing a great deal of respect.

Let's also not lose sight of what happened today, either. We went on the road to a top-20 team and won a game in the snow after shooting ourselves in the foot all day long. A lot of props to McCoy, although I still can't figure out why Charles is getting 8 carries and all we run is the counter out of the shotgun.

by Jason Mayer on Oct 21, 2006 6:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is McCoy a freshman?

He sure played like an upperclassman today.

If we can get the running game going north-south, this offense will be awfully good.

Great win on the road.

by PB @ BON on Oct 21, 2006 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Counter

Why - well I don't think Greg "Vince Young made me look brilliant" Davis knows any other formations or has any other thoughts in his head. Jeez...

by swaushorn on Oct 22, 2006 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nunn

Did someone from Houston/Texas get Nunn to help you guys out?
Seriously Texas won the turn over battle and the game
wish the Cornhuskers could start getting some fumbles and interceptions, its something we have not done this year.

by herbie on Oct 22, 2006 1:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Return of Akers

When did Fred Akers take over for Mack Brown? Texas should have been up 7-0 with a minute into the game, not 3-0. Akers was happy, but there was no excuse.

Nebraska was in that game because Texas' poor defensive backfield coverage yielded 2 touchdowns, and the offense could not stick the ball into the endzone.

There is no excuse for the 3 field goal attempts prior to the game winning attempt. None.

Again, what in the hell is going on in the defensive backfield. Texas got lit up by Baylor and Nebraska. Fear the trip to Lubbock.

by milevin on Oct 22, 2006 9:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Consider

That the two times Texas got killed in the backfield was a missed break up (really close) and a missed tackle by Deon Beasley and Michael Griffin which is just a matter of not going for the ball but for the guy. It won't happen again. The second one was a halfback pass on a play where they just caught the secondary creeping up. Solid play from our secondary this game. Sure there were mistakes but there are always mistakes. Nebraska has had an astounding passing game but because they are run first, they don't use it. I still think if they OC had gotten his clipboard out of his ass and thrown the ball downfield they would have beaten USC. But oh well

41-38

by inVINCEable on Oct 22, 2006 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can you say injuries

Marcus Griffin and Tarell Brown have missed games this year and may not be 100% in turn this may be affect the rotation of players throughout the game plus when they play extra backs they have less experience.
Baylor also was throwing to Deon Beasly's side since he is just a freshman in for Tarell Brown. I think they threw it 7-8 times to DB's side when he was in man coverage. You got to expect a good coach is going to find the weakness and exploit it.

xerxes

by Xerxes on Oct 22, 2006 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nebraska

These games are not fun to watch....I've evolved into only really enjoying blowouts...regardless, Colt continues to amaze, we still are not running enough, our kicking game?, and dont worry about the BCS......they all will fall in front of us, as we continue to rise in the computer segment with victories over winning record teams.

Good teams win the close ones....Have we really only lost 2 games in the last 3 years?

HOOK EM !

OLD SCHOOL 70

by MeatchickenHorn on Oct 22, 2006 10:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully

There won't be one that is anywhere close to a good game til A&M. I said it at the beginning of the year and I'll say it again. Nebraska and Texas Tech didn't scare me but Oklahoma State did. God save us if it is covered on TBS.

41-38

by inVINCEable on Oct 22, 2006 11:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What is up with all the screen passes?

Is it just me, or do we throw a screen pass like one out of every four plays from scrimmage? And it works about one out of every ten times we attempt it. Where are the 8-16 yard passes to tight ends over the middle? Where are the passes to anyone over the middle? We either go for all the marbles on a long go route, or a screen pass behind the line of scrimmage. Never anything in-between.

And for the record, I had no trouble with the pass to Limas on third down on that final possession. Does anyone remember the earlier 1st and goal possession where we didn't attempt a single pass into the end zone? In my mind, if you have first and goal, you owe it to yourself to attempt at least one pass into the end zone. But screen passes in that situation, or slow developing end-arounds are suicide.

Sometimes I think Greg Davis forgets we aren't always playing North Texas....

by orbitboy on Oct 22, 2006 11:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs