HornSports Staff
HornSports.com
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2013
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- 2,477
Quarterback - Prior to this weekend's game against Oklahoma State, Texas QB Tyrone Swoopes was mired in a 3 game "slump" which included sub-par performances against Kansas State, Texas Tech, and West Virginia. Against OKState, however, Swoopes seemed to find a groove and break out of his rough patch as he completed 24-33 passes for 304 yards and 2 TD's with no turnovers.
Grade: A
Running back - For two straight games, the Longhorn running game had improved to the point where many believed that it was turning into a strength for the offense. Unfortunately against Oklahoma State, the running game hit a wall in some respects. Brown and Gray both were heavily involved in the offense, with Brown receiving 15 carries and Gray 16. But it was Gray for the second week in a row that was able to rush for average, netting 81 yards with a TD for 5.1 yards per carry while Brown had 31 yards for 2.1. The total rushing stats for the RB's were 35 carries for 128 yards and a TD for a 3.7 ypc average. While those stats are fairly pedestrian, they don't include the 5 receptions for 46 yards by the group. It wasn't a great day for the group, but they didn't turn the ball over or create negative plays that influenced the outcome of the game.
Grade: C+
Wide Receivers/TE's - This group usually goes as the QB goes. With Swoopes having an above average day, the same occurred with the WR's. John Harris finished the day with 9 rec. for 117 yards and a TD, while Shipley complemented him well in limited time with 4 rec. for 33 yards. The big surprise, however, was how well the youth stepped up when Shipley went down at the half with an injury. Both Jacorey Warrick and Armanti Foreman had big catches at critical moments in the second half to help move the offense when it needed an extra boost. It was a big day for the WR's, specifically the young players who will be called on next year with the two leading receivers most likely leaving.
Grade: A
Offensive Line - The offensive line seemed to have an up-and-down game against Oklahoma State. The Texas offense started the game off well, moving the ball in four of their five first half possessions for scores, with the other resulting in a missed 21 yard field goal. The second half, however, was less fruitful as only two of six drives ended in a score, but none bigger than the 8 play 91 yard time consuming drive late in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. Statistically, the offense produced well, moving the ball for 430 yards on 76 plays. While the running game only averaged 2.9 yards per rush, the passing attack proved more efficient as it gained 9.2 yards per attempt. The offensive line allowed 3 sacks and was also responsible for two more throw aways. However, the Longhorns played the game they wanted to and nearly doubled Oklahoma State in time of possession and were 11 of 19 on 3rd down conversions. While the Offensive line doesn't throw or carry the ball, they do protect and pave the way for the offense to be as productive as it was in what is usually a hostile environment.
Grade: B-
Defensive Line - The entire defense was amazing on Saturday night. The defensive line alone accounted for six sacks, 8 TFLs, and 1 Forced Fumble to go on top of the 7 point 192 Total yard defensive performance. The Texas D-Line was simply dominant throughout the game.
Grade: A+
Linebackers - Along with the D-Line, the LBs did their part against Oklahoma State in Stillwater. Steve Edmond and Jordan Hicks were a big reason why the Cowboy running game sputtered for 34 yards on 23 carries for the night and also helped to pressure the QB at various points in the game. Oklahoma State had no answer for the front seven of the Longhorns which forced the Cowboys to their first first-half shutout in ages and kept them off the field for nearly 1/3 of the ballgame.
Grade: A
Defensive backs - For three full quarters, the Oklahoma State offense was unable to move the ball and, as Matt Cotcher noted in his Instanalysis, the Cowboys never had a drive over 4 plays for each of those three quarters. But when quarter number four began, the Longhorns secondary began to be picked apart, giving up a 10 play 61 yard drive culminating in a short TD that quickly brought the game back within reach for Oklahoma State. Thankfully for the defense, Swoopes and company woke up and held the ball for 4 and a half minutes on a long drive ending in a TD, effectively ending the game. The secondary allowed another drive by the Cowboys, but ended the threat by recovering a big forced fumble (by none other than Malcom Brown). In the fourth quarter alone Oklahoma State accounted for 109 of the 158 total passing yards given up. Without the fourth quarter, this secondary would have had an A+.
Grade: A-
Special Teams - The positive for the group is that Nick Rose made 3/3 field goals beyond 30 including 44 and 51 yard attempts. ST's also covered punts well and averaged 39.8 yards per punt, including another punt downed inside the 2-yard line. But that's pretty much where it ends on the good notes. The fact of the matter is that the Longhorns special teams, specifically the field goal unit, left 5 points on the scoreboard from a botched extra-point snap/hold, a blocked extra point, and a missed 21 yarder. While the Longhorns' special teams failed to give up points to the opponents, it still found a way to have a negative impact by leaving points on the board.
Grade: C-
