RevolUTion18 Recap: Week 3 - USC

If they weren’t already making noise, this years freshman class is making some serious noise after a strong showing against USC. In a 37-14 victory, highlighted by a blocked field goal from Caden Sterns and a 27-yard touchdown reception from Joshua Moore, the RevolUTion18 class put on a show on national television.

Strong contributions from multiple freshmen against USC teases how special this class can be and speaks for their high school All-American honors. The 2018 class is filled with talented freshman that have proven they can make big-time plays and limited mistakes on the field. Tom Herman and his staff have done a great job at getting the best athletes on the field as much as possible.

With the new NCAA redshirt rule, which allows players to play up to four games without burning a redshirt, expect the Longhorns to utilize different freshman for each game. To keep track of the new redshirt rule, the number of games that each player has appeared in will be listed next to their position. This will be updated game-by-game.

Keaontay Ingram (knee) and DeMarvion Overshown (knee) were held out against USC. Ingram’s listed as questionable for the TCU game and Overshown is a week or two away from returning, per Herman.

Nine true freshmen saw the field against USC. All nine of these players appeared in Texas’ first two games as well.

Brennan Eagles (WR-3): Eagles left this week’s game with a hamstring injury and is listed as doubtful against TCU.

D’Shawn Jamison (KR, PR, WR-3): The Longhorns failed to get Jamison going offensively for the third straight game. As every other previous attempt went, the one touch for Jamison on a jet sweep lost yardage. Running the ball to the outside has been a problem this year, as they’ve failed to gain positive yards on simple reverses. The offensive staff needs to find other ways to get the playmaker involved.

Jamison’s lone kick return of the game went for 24 yards.

Joshua Moore (WR-3): Moore simply beat cornerback Ajene Harris on an inside post route and snatched a 27-yard pass for his first career touchdown. What a moment for the Yoakum product. Moore has a clear advantage as the backup slot receiver and should see an increase in targets as the season goes on.

Joseph Ossai (BLB-3): Ossai notched his first solo tackle of the season. With starting B-Backer Malcolm Roach out 6-to-8 weeks with a fractured foot, Ossai becomes very important considering how thin Texas is at linebacker already. Jeffrey McCulloch will likely get the start in place of Roach. This means Ossai may be the first linebacker off the bench against TCU.

Anthony Cook (CB-3): Cook was the replacement for Davante Davis after he left the game with cramping issues. It’s looked as if he’s surpassed Kobe Boyce as the No. 3 cornerback. Cook made the most of his valuable playing time by recording two tackles. He stood up wide receiver Tyler Vaughns on a quick five-yard catch and drove him back multiple yards until the whistle blew.

B.J. Foster (S-3): There may not be a harder-hitting freshman defensive back in college football than B.J. Foster. Foster looks like a grown man out there delivering booming hits.

Fellow freshman Amon-Ra St. Brown crossed paths with Foster and got lit up. Somehow, this hit was ruled as targeting, which means he will miss the first half against TCU.

Caden Sterns (S-3): Savor every single minute of Caden Sterns in a Longhorns uniform. He’s going to be a Longhorn great throughout his next three-to-four years in Austin.

Sterns made the play of the game versus USC, blocking a 50-yard field goal attempt that was run back for a touchdown by Anthony Wheeler. He exploded through the line, leaped up and blocked the kick in the perfect direction for a scoop and score. His high football IQ and elite instincts are off the charts.

Sterns finished the game with two tackles, and nearly added an interception.

Cameron Dicker (K-3): The long-lasting kicking problem seems to be solved after Dicker’s performance this week. Dicker the Kicker was a perfect 3-3 on field goals, converting from 20 and 46 yards (x2) out. His 46-yarder right before halftime gave Texas a 16-14 lead heading into the locker room. He’s showed off the distance and accuracy so far, kicking in clutch situations will be the real test.

Ryan Bujcevski (P-3): The Punter wasn’t tasked with much this week, as he only punted four times for an average of 36.2 yards. Overall, Bujcevski showed slight improvement but he’ll have a tough task this week punting to the always dangerous KaVontae Turpin.