The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Texas – INSIDE SLANT
After every Texas loss, some fans grouse about how bad the defense played. But judging by the stat sheet and the history books, fans of the 2012 Longhorns have a point.
Texas has given up 147 points in its last three games, the worst in team history. The 63-21 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday saw the Longhorns get blown off the ball from the opening possession and never appear like they were going to be competitive.
“We’re getting out-hit,” defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. “But part of when you’re getting out hit is if you don’t play fast and confident, and when you wait, you ending up catching blocks instead of attacking blocks.
“We have footage on tape from the last 18 months where we can do those types of things. What we are doing right now is we are not doing that, and that is what I have to coach. (I have) to get the defense to play faster versus the run.”
The Longhorns have given up an average of 245 yards rushing per game over the last four weeks, including 343 to the Sooners. A week ago, the Longhorns talked about trying to force West Virginia to move the ball on the ground to keep Geno Smith from beating them. There was no such spin after the loss to Oklahoma.
“We just couldn’t stop the run,” defensive end Alex Okafor said. “When you can’t stop the run, things get ugly real quick, and it’s been like that all season. We just have to find a way to stop it.”
Added safety Kenny Vacaro: “If you can’t stop the run, you open up the whole playbook for the offense. It’s disappointing, but it is what it is.”
So once again, it’s back to the drawing board for the Longhorns as they hope to make the needed corrections before taking on Baylor next week.
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NCAAF Team Report – Texas – NOTES, QUOTES
WHAT’S AHEAD: The Texas defense doesn’t have to take on a Top 25 team this week, but it doesn’t get the day off either. Baylor Bears (4-2) are second in the nation in total offense, averaging more than 550 yards per game.
–CB Carrington Byndom scored on a 28-yard interception return in the third quarter against Oklahoma. It’s the second time he’s returned an interception for a score, not bad considering he only has four career picks.
–Texas coach Mack Brown was asked following the Oklahoma game if his team had regressed. He responded: “I don’t think you can tell week to week. It’s sure not pretty today. It’s unacceptable. That’s the way I feel, that’s the way the players feel and how the coaches feel. It’s not a proud moment for us. We just have to make sure that we don’t forget this, learn from it, move forward and try to win next week. We can’t sit around and feel sorry for ourselves. We’re sitting in the same spot we were this time last year, so we have to go finish better than we did last year.”
–RB/WR Daje Johnson continues to be a spark for the Texas offense. He gained 41 yards on four carries and caught a pass for 12 yards. “We came out in the second half, made some adjustments to where we could get him the ball and he made things happen,” co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin said. “He is a guy for us that we have to find ways to make sure the ball is going to him. Back in the backfield, I think, is one of the keys.”
KEEP AN EYE ON: The defensive depth chart. There’s already been some tinkering here, and it’s going to be tempting for Texas to try something new to kick-start the run defense.
LOOKING GOOD: Texas blocked another kick, its sixth of the season. This one came on an Oklahoma extra point and was returned to the end zone by Quandre Diggs, the first two-point defensive conversion since 1999.
STILL NEEDS WORK: It can’t be said too many times that the Texas defense has to get a lot better, or the Longhorns are going to have a hard time beating teams in the Big 12. Manny Diaz’s crew is getting manhandled week after week, and there are no signs that it’s anywhere close to getting better. Getting Jordan Hicks back would help, but there’s a long way to go to get this unit back to being competent.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s just unacceptable for Texas to lose like that to Oklahoma, much less anybody, especially two years in a row. I’m disappointed for our coaches, fans and players. That’s not who we are.” — Texas coach Mack Brown.
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NCAAF Team Report – Texas – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES:
–QB Case McCoy played the last two series after David Ash suffered a wrist injury, and went 5-of-8 for 102 yards and two touchdowns. A cynic might note that this came after the game had long since been decided, but McCoy might get a chance against a starting defense this week if Ash can’t go against Baylor.
–WR John Harris doesn’t get a ton of snaps, bit the sophomore took advantage of his playing time late in the game to catch his first career touchdown, a 19-yard pass from Case McCoy on the final play.
–DB Mykkele Thompson got his second career start in the Oklahoma game, and was one of the few bright spots on the defense with 12 tackles. He’s been in double figures both times he’s been in the starting lineup.
ROSTER REPORT
–QB David Ash injured his left wrist in the loss to Oklahoma in the fourth quarter, and did not return.
–DT Brandon Moore had to be immobilized and carted off the field in the third quarter. He reportedly was able to move, but was taken to the hospital as a precaution and was discharged Saturday night.
–LB Jordan Hicks missed his third week in a row because of a groin injury. He’s week to week.
–RB Malcolm Brown was on the sidelines for the second consecutive week with a sprained left ankle.
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