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Author: Tucker Stephenson

High School Football: A Texas Tradition

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

A former South Texas sports editor who had recently moved to the Lone Star State from Arizona stepped into the press box on an idyllic Friday night and sat awestruck as the scene overwhelmed him.

Both sides of the bleachers were packed to the gills, and marching bands in full regalia took their designated place in the stands as cheerleaders, twirlers and dance team members spilled onto the field in single file.

Members of the student spirit crew exchanged gifts at midfield prior to the coin toss, but even before the kickoff, it was clear the young man was busy taking in every aspect of the scene unfolding below. 

“I guess Texas high school football is everything they say it is,” he remarked.

More reports came in from him over the coming months as he got a true taste of the state’s passion for all things gridiron-related. It was enough to realize that something most writers and fans take for granted is truly extraordinary.

And it wasn’t even the playoffs yet.

Yes, it’s that magical time of year when the match-ups become even more meaningful. Legends are born in the postseason, and if your team is lucky enough to capture a state championship, a small piece of immortality comes along with it.

Perhaps Liberty Hill head coach Jeff Walker said it best when he remarked, “Teams to remember play in December.”

Besides doing his best Dr. Seuss impersonation, Walker knows what it takes to run the gauntlet known as the playoffs. So does Lake Travis’ Hank Carter, for that matter.

Those coaches know that the postseason has its own mystique, and that no opponent is to be taken lightly. Since the format expanded to take four teams per district, there have been some memorable upsets every season. It’s unavoidable given the fact that 692 do-or-die games are played during the span of one postseason.

Just last season, Richardson Pearce, a 36-point underdog, took down Cedar Hill in the first round.

Forget March Madness. These are the real bracket busters.

As the final few Austin-area teams continue their march toward glory, the weather will turn colder and the smack talk on message boards throughout the state with undoubtedly heat up. It’s like Christmas come early, except without the cheap gift from your least favorite aunt.

So no matter how your favorite college or pro team is faring at the moment, keep an eye on the biggest ongoing tournament in the state. Who knows? The next Vince Young, Baker Mayfield or Drew Brees could very well be on their way to AT&T Stadium to compete for one of the state’s biggest prizes.

LT Cavs won the State Title in December of 2016 at AT&T Stadium. Photo Texas Sports Monthly

When the smoke has finally cleared, a dozen teams will remain standing. When the postseason began, that number was 704.

So good luck to those still attempting to hoist a state championship trophy in Arlington. And to those who have already moved on to the next sport?It’s only eight more months until two-a-days arrive.

Texas Basketball 2019

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL.

Every school has expectations, but the ones in Austin remain as high as the Texas sky.

Just ask Rick Barnes.

Longhorns men’s basketball coach Shaka Smart will find out exactly how tough it is to coach on the hot seat this season after Texas won the NIT a year ago to salvage a topsy-turvy 2018-19 campaign. There’s only one acceptable tournament to be invited to this time around — the Big Dance in March.

Smart himself acknowledged that fact last March, and UT athletic director Chris Del Conte echoed the sentiment even after the Longhorns won the NIT, saying “we’re not where we want to be, but we’re making progress.”

Texas pulled in another solid crop of recruits this year after snagging three of the top 75 prospects in the nation — shooting guard Donovan Williams, center Kai Jones and homegrown product Will Baker, who played center for Westlake while rising up the ranks to become the No. 35 overall recruit in the country.

Baker is expected to start at center this season, while Williams and Jones have opportunities to work their way into valuable roles.

The Longhorns’ starting lineup for 2019-20 is also projected to include guards Matt Coleman and Courtney Rainey, who averaged 9.8 and 8.1 points per game last year, respectively. Coleman, who was the only Texas player to start all 37 games a season ago, added 3.4 assists per outing and was the lone Longhorn to earn preseason acclaim from the Big 12 after taking home honorable mention.

Rainey returns after shooting a team-best 38.6% from beyond the 3-point arc and proving to be another capable scorer. The same can be said for wing player Jase Febres, who knocked down 37.2% of his 3s while putting in 8.9 points per contest.

Jericho Sims is expected to lock down the starting power forward spot and has shown plenty of athleticism during his time on the 40 Acres. Sims has even drawn comparisons to current NBA players Mo Bamba and Jaxson Hayes, but he still has to show that he can turn potential into reality.

The biggest fan favorite on the team will undoubtedly be guard Andrew Jones, who touched the hearts of many Longhorn fans as he took time off to battle Leukemia last season. Jones was cleared to return to basketball activities in early August, and his comeback story will be one of the best in all of college hoops.

Meanwhile, wing player Gerald Liddell and big man Kamaka Hepa will likely fight for minutes as reserves.

Texas was picked to finish fourth in the Big 12 during the preseason coaches’ poll behind Kansas — no surprise there — Baylor and Texas Tech. Bringing up the rear were West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Kansas State and TCU.

But before the Longhorns begin conference play on Jan. 4. 2020, Texas will look to navigate an early portion of the schedule that includes games against Purdue, Georgetown and Providence. The Longhorns and Aggies will even reprise their old rivalry on the hardwood during a Dec. 8 meeting in Fort Worth for the Lone Star Showdown.

Smart should be able to get away with a loss to a rival here or there, though. After all, this isn’t football. But it’s still Texas, and another season without March Madness will be viewed as a colossal failure.

Texas. LSU

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in TEXAS SPORTS, UT FOOTBALL.

For fans of college football, the spicy Sept. 7 matchup between Texas and LSU in Austin is a can’t-miss clash of two storied programs looking to challenge the status quo and end the conference championship reigns of both Oklahoma and Alabama.

But only one side will be able to seize the inside track to a possible berth in the College Football Playoff — assuming, of course, that both the Longhorns and Tigers take care of business during the opening week.

Texas is loaded with top-tier returnees like quarterback Sam Ehlinger, wide receiver Collin Johnson and safeties Caden Sterns and Brandon Jones. The offensive line looks as reliable as it has in years, as left tackle Sam Cosmi, center Zach Shackelford and guard Parker Braun, a Georgia Tech transfer, all have the potential to be All-Big 12 performers.

The Longhorns also have plenty of play-making ability in the backfield with running backs Keontay Ingram and fantastic freshman Jordan Whittington of Cuero, who has already been seeing reps at multiple positions. Wide receivers Devin Duvernay and John Burt have the afterburners to break free from most defensive backs — and Texas’ power running game will only create more space down the field.

Defensively, there are plenty of fresh faces along the front seven, including defensive tackle Keondre Coburn, defensive end Ta’Quon Graham and linebacker Ayodele Adeoye. Coburn and Adeoye are each redshirt freshmen. 

The Longhorns’ secondary still features hard-hitting sophomore safety/nickelback B.J. Foster, but corners Jalen Green and Anthony Cook will see a big jump in playing time as sophomores. 

Historically, breaking in a new set of defensive backs against LSU would mean preaching the importance of run support over covering receivers in open space, but the Tigers are determined to break free from their plodding style that has produced such notable rushers as Leonard Fournette, Derrius Guice, Jeremy Hill and Spencer Ware.

LSU hired former New Orleans Saints coach Joe Brady to revamp the passing game, and he’s brought a more wide open style that Big 12 fans are no doubt used to by now. The Tigers may use some run-pass options with quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been running the spread since middle school.

Burrow has a legitimate No. 1 target in receiver Justin Jefferson, and the tandem of running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and freshman John Emery Jr. — the nation’s No. 2-ranked RB prospect — will fight for carries until a clear pecking order is developed.

LSU will definitely be a handful, even for a Longhorns team brimming with confidence and looking as though they have the key ingredients to turn another major corner in 2019. The Tigers welcome back 15 total starters this season, including eight on defense, where LSU is notoriously stingy.

Defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence is a major disruptor at the point of attack and was named last season’s Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP. Thankfully, the Tigers lost a major impact player at linebacker in 2018 Butkus Award winner Devin White, but true to form, LSU has athletes all over the field.

The Tigers possess a standout safety of their own in Grant Delpit, who is an early favorite to earn All-American honors this year. 

Texas QB Sam Ehlinger is fired up after completing a rushing touchdown against the Sooners in the 2018 Big 12 Championship game last December.

LSU went 10-3 last season and defeated Central Florida 40-32 in the Fiesta Bowl. Texas was 10-4 in 2018 and upset Georgia 28-21 in the Sugar Bowl. Both teams will likely enter the 2019 campaign ranked in the top 10 in the nation.

Bottom line, it should be an interesting and competitive early-season matchup. The home field advantage will be with the Longhorns, who are scheduled to play their first two games within the friendly confines of DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Texas had better use that advantage while it still can. Next season, the home-and-home series shifts to one of the toughest places to play in all of sports — Death Valley in Baton Rouge. 

Texas Spring Game

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in TEXAS SPORTS, UT FOOTBALL.

By Tucker Stephenson

AUSTIN — For Longhorn football fanatics, the 2019 season can’t get here soon enough.

The first taste of the new campaign is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium during the annual Orange-White spring game. The contest is set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. and will be televised on Longhorn Network.

Ever since Texas wrapped up a stunning 28-21 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, the countdown has been underway to see what the Longhorns can provide as an encore during head coach Tom Herman’s third year at the helm. Herman guided Texas to a 10-4 overall record in 2018 and is now 17-10 with the Longhorns, including a 2-0 mark in bowl games.

Some of the intrigue that has surrounded major position battles in years past won’t be there this year, such as the starting quarterback role. Sam Ehlinger locked that down without question following a stellar sophomore year that culminated with the Westlake alum winning MVP honors in New Orleans.

Instead, Texas fans will get a deeper look at backup QB Casey Thompson, as the redshirt freshman is expected to see some reps with the first-string offense. Since Shane Buechele and Cam Rising decided to take their talents elsewhere via transfer, the No. 2 signal caller job is wide open.

Overall, the spring game will be more about health than name recognition. Star safeties Caden Sterns and B.J. Foster were both recently sidelined, as Sterns underwent a knee procedure that will keep him out for the remainder of fall and Foster is in the concussion protocol.

Fans Enjoy the fun at DKR at the 2018 Spring Game. Photo: UT Athletics

It’s not yet known whether Texas will take a chance and let Foster return for the spring game, but it would seem to be an unnecessary gamble.

Senior safety Brandon Jones is also on the shelf after having ankle surgery in February.

Among the biggest storylines for the Longhorns this spring is who will step up and replace wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey. D’Shawn Jamison and Brennan Eagles are said to be in the mix, but true freshman Jordan Whittington will have plenty of eyes on him — and with good reason. 

The Cuero grad is just over three months removed from a record-setting performance in the Class 4A Division II state title game. Whittington ran for 334 yards and five scores in the Gobblers’ 40-28 win over Texarkana Pleasant Grove and also surpassed iconic Lone Star running backs Eric Dickerson and Jonathan Gray during his senior season.

The Longhorns are also looking for newcomers in the middle of the defense following the loss of linebackers Gary Johnson and Anthony Wheeler, in addition to defensive tackle Chris Nelson. On the outside, replacements must also be found for departed cornerbacks Kris Boyd and Davante Davis.

2018 Spring Game last year. Photo: UT Athletics

Thankfully, Texas’ roster is stocked with young talent after pulling in several very strong recruiting classes. Perhaps the best news for Longhorns fans is that the list of serious overall needs has dwindled from this time a year ago.

That should be enough to make the 2019 spring game feel much more like an audition than any type of dress rehearsal for the opener against Louisiana Tech.

March Madness in Texas

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL.

By Tucker Stephenson

With the exception of Macho Man Randy Savage, nothing says “madness” quite like the month of March.

The best tournament in all of sports is once again approaching, and the state of Texas will no doubt be well represented. Beginning with the Big 12, here’s a look at the locks, bubble teams and schools that will need to win their respective conference tourneys in order to earn an invite to the big dance.

BIG 12

LOCKS: Texas Tech, Baylor

The Red Raiders have spent much of the season in or near the top 10 and will be competing in the NCAA Tournament this March. Texas Tech is fresh off of an eye-opening 91-62 win over Kansas at home and is led by sophomore guard Jarrett Culver (18.0 points per game), who is a hometown product from Lubbock Coronado High School.

The Bears are Texas’ second best bet from the Big 12 to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, as Baylor holds quality conference wins against Iowa State (twice), Texas Tech and Oklahoma (twice). The Bears can add to that résumé down the stretch against Texas, Kansas State and Kansas, but they already appear to be in the field of 68.

ON THE BUBBLE: Texas, TCU

The Longhorns have endured a roller-coaster ride this season. Head coach Shaka Smart’s team holds impressive victories against North Carolina, K-State, Oklahoma, Kansas and Baylor. Then again, Texas has also dropped games to Radford, Providence and Oklahoma State. A large portion of the Longhorns’ case could rest upon the status of suspended guard Kerwin Roach and whether or not he is reinstated by the school.

The Horned Frogs don’t have much in the way of non-conference wins, but they’ve been more than competitive in a deep Big 12. TCU managed to sweep Iowa State in a pair of meetings and has also knocked off Baylor and Texas. Jamie Dixon, now in his third year at the helm of the program, could be a dark horse candidate for conference coach of the year.

Texas Tech guard Jarrett Culver (23) goes to the basket defended by Oklahoma forward Kristian Doolittle (21) and forward Brady Manek (35) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

IN NEED OF A MIRACLE: None

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

LOCK: Houston

The Cougars aren’t just a mortal lock to make the tournament, they’ll also likely be the top seed from the entire state. Houston has dominated its conference opponents and owned a 26-1 overall record and a lofty No. 8 ranking in the nation as of Feb. 25. The Cougars are led by the tandem of Corey Davis Jr. (15.7 points per game) and Armori Brooks (14.1 points per game). Houston is coached by Kelvin Sampson, who is a former assistant with the NBA’s Houston Rockets and a former head coach at Oklahoma.

IN NEED OF A MIRACLE: SMU

SEC

IN NEED OF A MIRACLE: Texas A&M’s only shot is to win the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Otherwise, it’s on to baseball season in Aggieland.

BEST OF THE REST

SUN BELT CONFERENCE: There are a few conferences with just one available bid, and their league tournaments will determine who will advance. In the Sun Belt, Texas State is the current leader and will be the favorite to earn a spot in the big dance. However, a strong challenge from George State and/or Georgia Southern is likely, and UT-Arlington is hoping to play the role of spoiler from its fourth-place position.

IN NEED OF A MIRACLE: None

CONFERENCE USA: UTSA has a shot to advance from Conference USA, as does North Texas, but Old Dominion is the odds-on favorite to run the table in the conference tournament. The Roadrunners are among a four-team pack fighting for second place behind Old Dominion, and the Mean Green are one of only two 20-win teams in Conference USA.

IN NEED OF A MIRACLE: Rice, UTEP

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE: Sam Houston State has built a comfortable lead in the race for the Southland’s regular season crown and looks ready to make more noise in the league’s postseason tournament. Abilene Christian and Lamar aren’t out of the conversation by a long shot, though. Abilene Christian is already over the 20-win mark, while Lamar headed into the home stretch of its season schedule riding a five-game conference winning streak.

IN NEED OF A MIRACLE: Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Houston Baptist, Incarnate Word

SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern appear to be the biggest roadblocks for one another in each program’s quest for the SWAC’s lone NCAA Tournament bid. Prairie View A&M looks as though it will win the regular season conference crown, while Texas Southern is hoping to turn the tables in conference tourney.

IN NEED OF A MIRACLE: None

WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: Lastly, UT Rio Grande Valley will need a miracle in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament to unseat heavy favorite New Mexico. UT Rio Grande Valley has had a respectable season and is in the middle of the pack in the league standings, but there isn’t any room for error.

Longhorns Youth on Mound Strength in 2019.

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in College Baseball, TEXAS SPORTS.

AUSTIN — With a legacy of live arms that includes Burt Hooton, Greg Swindell and Roger Clemens, the Longhorns realize that the greatest equalizer of all is usually the man on the mound.

But after a return trip to the College World Series, Texas’ rotation seems to be under major construction in 2019.

Two of head coach David Pierce’s most reliable hurlers — Nolan Kingham and Chase Shurgart — are no longer with the program, leaving Blair Henley as the most experienced returnee. Henley, a junior right-hander from Fort Worth, posted a 3.32 ERA last season on his way to earning All-Big 12 second team recognition.

Most expect Pierce to rely on depth during the early season until a handful of reliable pitchers separate themselves from the pack. If that doesn’t happen, then it could be all hands on deck for the entire year.

Also figuring into the potential starting rotation will be sophomore right-hander Bryce Elder, freshman right-hander Coy Cobb, sophomore right-hander Matt Whelan and freshman right-hander Ty Madden. Elder, who played his high school ball in Decatur, is off to a solid start with a 0.64 ERA in his first 14 innings of work.

There are plenty of options in the bullpen, including sophomore right-hander Kamron Fields, who got some quality playing time in the CWS last season as a collegiate newcomer and is also set to play some outfield for Texas. 

Redshirt freshman Cole Quintanilla, a native of nearby Cedar Park, has done his best to prove he can be trusted in multiple situations. The 6-foot-5 righty has already collected a win and a save in his first four appearances — all without surrendering a run.

In addition to Fields and Quintanilla, Tristan Stevens, Brandon Ivey, Donny Diaz, Mason Bryant and Nico O’Donnell have each seen more than one appearance in the first two weeks of 2019. Bryant is a 6-foot-5, right-handed freshman from Austin McCallum, while Ivey, a senior southpaw from Houston, is the lone senior of the bunch.

One of the most intriguing prospects in senior Matteo Bocchi, who is from Parma, Italy. The 6-foot-4 right-hander tossed three scoreless innings during the Longhorns’ 8-6 loss to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and could be a wild card as the season progresses.

The good news is there’s still some time to figure out who will figure into the mix when Big 12 play rolls around. Texas is set to open conference play in Austin on March 15-17 with a three-game series against Texas Tech.

Sam Ehlinger honors Brees wears Chaps Jersey in Sugar Bowl win.

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in UT FOOTBALL.

By now, Longhorn fans have seen video clips or photographs of Sam Ehlinger paying homage to Drew Brees by donning his throwback Westlake jersey at the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

What some may not know is that the idea didn’t come from Ehlinger himself, and the jersey wasn’t found at an Austin-area merchandise shop. Instead, the show of respect came about thanks to an alert teammate from Homestead, Florida.

Senior cornerback Davante Davis was walking near Canal Street prior to the game when he spotted the jersey at a retail shop. After a quick text message to an excited Ehlinger, Davis purchased the item, brought it to Ehlinger and the quarterback reimbursed the $90 price tag. 

Ehlinger wore the jersey during a pregame walk into the stadium, and the former Chaparral put in on once again after Texas had completed a 28-21 upset of the highly-touted Georgia Bulldogs. Not even head coach Tom Herman’s strict dress code policy could stop Ehlinger from honoring the NFL’s all-time passing leader.

“Coming into the Superdome, I had to respect Drew because of all the amazing things he’s done in this building,” Ehlinger said. “I honestly wanted to play like him and have a little magic. That was just paying my respect to him.”

Brees was sent a picture of Ehlinger’s tribute and posted his support on Twitter. He said that he was able to catch most of the second half of the Sugar Bowl and gave his Westlake predecessor credit for guiding the Longhorns’ offense.

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger heads to the locker room before the team’s Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Georgia on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, in New Orleans. Ehlinger wore a high school jersey of Westlake High School graduate and New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

“He played big, his team played great, but he was obviously the leader and the catalyst for the team,” Brees said. “I’m happy for his success and he’s a great kid.”

Brees, of course, led Westlake to the 1996 UIL Class 5A state championship before departing for Purdue. Ehlinger left Westlake two decades later and finished his prep career as the program’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.

Brees said he’s known Ehlinger for years and marveled at how the signal caller has handled the spotlight of being the Longhorns’ starter.

“I feel like I’ve seen him grow up a little bit, just knowing him since middle school and high school and some of his goals and aspirations,” Brees said. “I think he’s always envisioned himself being in that position, playing for the University of Texas — the hometown team — and leading them at quarterback. He’s done a phenomenal job of that in his first two years. He’s still young. His future is very bright.”

That opinion is shared by many that watched Ehlinger earn the Sugar Bowl’s Most Outstanding Player award after becoming the first Texas quarterback since Vince Young to rush for three touchdowns in a bowl game.

But even after witnessing Ehlinger rise to national prominence in his own backyard, Brees still seemed more surprised that the sophomore could actually find one of his No. 15 Chaps jerseys.

“Did he have to get that specially made or put a call in to the coach or AD and borrow it?” Brees asked reporters in a press conference the day after the Sugar Bowl. “I don’t know. It was cool.”

Westlake High School has since remedied the problem of a potential lack of inventory. It announced on Jan. 9 that the team store inside Chaparral Stadium has ordered throwback Brees jerseys to sell, as well as versions with Ehlinger’s No. 4 and Nick Foles’ No. 7.

Perhaps Davis should ask for a portion of the proceeds.

Clemson Roll Tide:44-16

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in Football.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Clemson took out a full year’s worth of frustration on Alabama Monday night in one of the most stunning championship game beat-downs in recent history.

The Tigers (15-0) got better as the night elapsed and rolled the Tide 44-16 at Levi’s Stadium to claim the program’s second national title in three seasons. The contest also served as the birth of a new college football megastar in Clemson true freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who absolutely shredded Alabama’s defense by going 20-of-32 passing for 347 yards and three touchdowns.

“It’s amazing,” Lawrence said. “I just love everyone that’s been a part of this journey. It’s really unbelievable.”

The 2019 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship got off to a dubious start for the Crimson Tide when Tua Tagovailoa was picked off by A.J. Terrell, who motored 44 yards the other way for a touchdown. 

Tagovailoa immediately bounced back with a 62-yard scoring toss to Jerry Jeudy, and after the two teams once again traded scores in the first quarter, the nationwide audience surely thought that an instant classic was in the making.

But Dabo Swinney’s Tigers had a different storyline in mind.

Alabama (14-1) tacked on a field goal early in the second quarter, but after that, it was all Clemson. The Tigers buried the Tide under an avalanche of 30 unanswered points — much to the delight of any college football fan fed up with seeing Nick Saban’s sour mug on their television set every January.

Clemson was untouchable during its surge, which saw Travis Etienne tally a 1-yard TD run and catch a 5-yard scoring strike from Lawrence before the Tigers added a field goal to take a 31-16 lead into the half.

Alabama still had a chance to rally after receiving the third-quarter kickoff, and the combination of Tagovailoa and Damien Harris quickly moved the Crimson Tide into the red zone. Clemson’s defense bowed its back and forced a field goal attempt, but Saban rolled the dice and dialed up a high-risk fake. It was stuffed behind the line of scrimmage, and from there, the Tigers clerly smelled blood and began to pour it on.

Lawrence went to the air and hit fellow freshman Justyn Ross for a 74-yard bomb to extend the lead, and after another fourth-down stop from Clemson’s defense, the QB capped the next drive with a 5-yard TD throw to Tee Higgins.

Once more the Tide drove into Tiger territory only to be turned away with nothing to show for it. Following a third straight turnover on downs, Clemson put the finishing touches on its blowout win by controlling the ball, keeping the clock moving and giving its starters a well-deserved curtain call.

“Alabama is Alabama, but I felt like we had the better team,” Swinney said afterward. “Our guys came in with the mindset that we were going to play on the balls of our feet and we were going to attack — and we did.”

The Tigers and Tide are now 2-2 when meeting in the new CFP, but Clemson holds a 2-1 edge with the title on the line. With their lopsided victory on Monday, the Tigers became the first NCAA Division I FBS team to finish a season with a perfect 15-0 record since 1897.

SUGAR IS SWEET

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in TEXAS SPORTS, UT FOOTBALL.

By Tucker Stephenson

NEW ORLEANS — After a full month of hype, everyone wearing the burnt orange and white couldn’t wait to get a piece of the Georgia Bulldogs.

Even Bevo himself.

Texas’ mascot nearly maimed Georgia’s favorite pooch, Uga, during an ill-advised pregame meeting, and the Longhorns finished the job over the next several hours by outmuscling the Bulldogs for a 28-21 win in the 2019 Sugar Bowl. Head coach Tom Herman’s team showed confidence and urgency from the very first snap and ultimately left The Big Easy with the program’s biggest postseason prize in a decade.

And with regard to the obvious question surrounding Texas football, quarterback Sam Ehlinger — the game’s Most Outstanding Player — answered it during the postgame ceremony.

“Longhorn nation,” Ehlinger said, “we’re baaaaaaack!”

It was a nearly flawless start for the Longhorns (10-4), who rattled off 17 consecutive points to take control of the contest. The Bulldogs (11-3) eventually pulled to within two scores with plenty of time remaining in the fourth quarter, but Texas’ defense rose to the occasion and got the stop it needed thanks to a key sack by linebacker Gary Johnson.

The Longhorns survived a penalty-plagued final minute to snag an onside kick that sealed a major upset — in Las Vegas’ eyes, at least.

“We pride ourselves in our physicality,” Herman said after the game. “At this point in our program, that’s how we’re going to win games. That’s always how we’re going to win games.”

Texas moved swiftly after receiving the opening kickoff, marching 75 yards in 10 plays and scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run by Ehlinger — the first of three scores on the ground from the Westlake alum.

The Longhorns then got a short field after Georgia punter Jake Carmada’s knee touched the ground as he reached for a low snap. Cameron Dicker capped the brief drive with a 37-yard field goal.

The Bulldogs survived another disaster courtesy of Carmada — this time a shanked punt that traveled all of 11 yards — but they weren’t so lucky following a fumble by running back D’Andre Swift that was covered up by defensive lineman Gerald Wilbon. The takeaway resulted in more Texas points when Ehlinger ducked under the Georgia rush on third-and-goal from the 9 and bullied his way across the goal line.

Georgia showed signs of life by answering with a 12-play touchdown drive, but Dicker tacked on a 30-yard field goal prior to intermission to give the Horns a 20-7 edge.

The Texas defense kept that lead intact for much of the second half, as P.J. Locke III opened the third quarter with an interception and the Longhorns then forced back-to-back Georgia punts.

Ehlinger then led a determined 14-play, 70-yard drive that eventually found the end zone after four consecutive runs from the 1 by the sophomore signal caller. It was the second fourth-down conversion of the possession, which proved to be a crucial one for Texas.

“Our No. 1 goal coming to New Orleans to participate in the Sugar Bowl was to win the game,” Herman said. “We weren’t just happy being here. We were going to win the game and do everything it took to win it.”

Following a successful 2-point conversion pass, the Longhorns held a commanding 28-7 advantage with 11:49 left to play. 

Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm notched a pair of late TD tosses to try and spark a rally, but the last one was mostly cosmetic. Texas’ Collin Johnson easily handled the Bulldogs’ desperation onside attempt with 14 seconds left, and the Longhorns lined up in the victory formation.

“I’m just so proud of how hard our guys played,” Herman said. “They played hard early, they played hard late, they overcame some adversity and it was a complete team effort.”

Ehlinger became the first Longhorn quarterback to rush for three scores in a bowl game since Vince Young did so in the 2006 National Championship Game. Ehlinger finished with 241 total yards — 169 through the air, 64 on the ground and 8 on a pass from Lil’Jordan Humphrey. 

As a team, Texas ran for 178 yards on 49 carries. Graduate transfer Tre Watson led the way with 91 yards on 18 totes.

Ehlinger and the Longhorns’ youth movement, including freshmen B.J. Foster, Joseph Ossai, Keaontay Ingram and Sam Cosmi — were on display all night long, but the senior class also left a lasting impression in its final college game. Elijah Rodriguez, Patrick Vahe and Andrew Beck helped pave the way for the running game, while Locke, Gary Johnson, Chris Nelson, Anthony Wheeler, Kris Boyd and Davante Davis helped put the brakes on the SEC’s third-ranked offense.

“They are going to go down as the most influential senior class, certainly of our tenure here, because of the culture they have instilled and the culture that they have upheld as well,” Herman said. “That locker room has finally become a player-led team instead of a coach-fed team.”

Horns lose Big 12 Title to Sooners

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in UT FOOTBALL.

Horns lose Big 12 Title to Sooners

By Tucker Stephenson

The good news from Saturday is that Tom Herman had his team competing at the peak of its ability when a conference championship was on the line.

The bad news is that when Lil’Jordan Humphrey got assaulted on a potential first-down reception, the refs weren’t on the scene to make the proper call.

Texas (9-4) gave Oklahoma (12-1) all it could handle in a rivalry matchup for the Big 12 title on Saturday, but the Sooners’ late surge was enough to guide Lincoln Riley’s team to a 39-27 victory at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

“It’s difficult,” Texas head coach Tom Herman said. “Losing is supposed to hurt. With a 1-0 mentality that we have, we don’t worry about the big picture. We went 0-1 today. Tomorrow it’s our job to wake up and try to go 1-0 in the bowl game.”

Humphrey appeared to be roughed up on a third-down play in the final quarter, but the referees chose not to whistle the foul, which led to a Longhorn punt. Oklahoma took possession at its own 20 and appeared destined for a score until Gary Johnson jarred the ball loose on a long pass play and Brandon Jones pounced on the loose pigskin.

Moments later, a bit of rivalry deja vu ensued as the Sooners’  Tre Brown played the role of Roy Williams while sacking Sam Ehlinger for a safety after flying in unblocked on a blitz from the edge.

Oklahoma added a final TD to seize a 39-27 lead, and Ehlinger was picked off by Tre Norwood to end the game.

It was a memorable effort by Ehlinger, who staked the Longhorns to a 14-6 lead after capping a pair of early drives with scoring runs of 16 and 3 yards in the first half.

However, Kyler Murray found some rhythm prior to intermission and directed the Sooners to a pair of scoring drives before opening the second half with another TD march. CeeDee Lamb, Grant Calcaterra and Trey Sermon were the culprits in helping Oklahoma build a 27-21 edge.

Ehlinger then led a seven-play, 75-yard scoring march that was capped by a 27-yard toss to Collin Johnson, but the PAT carromed off the upright to keep the score tied at 27-all.

The Sooners’ Austin Seibert responded with a 31-yard field goal, and after the no-call on Humphrey’s key third-down route, Oklahoma survived a fumble to sack Ehlinger and change the complexion of the game for good.

“I felt like we weren’t running the ball like we thought we would be able to,” Herman said afterward. “That was certainly an issue. When you’re playing one-handed a little bit throwing the football, there’s things that can happen. When their drives stalled, they were able to get field goals. When our drives stalled, we had to punt. It’s a matter of 10 or 15 yards.”

The Longhorns still may sew up a bid in the Sugar Bowl, or at the least, a berth in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. No matter what, a 10-win season would signal a major accomplishment for Herman in his 2nd year at the helm.