AUSTIN – The win over Rice last week built a cautious level of optimism for Texas fans as the team prepared to face Cal on Saturday. The Longhorns appeared to have found their spark at quarterback in redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard but questions on defense and the struggles of the offensive line remained a valid concern.
Against the Golden Bears those concerns manifested themselves again. Heard’s athleticism did a good job of disguising the offensive line’s troubles, as the redshirt freshman used his legs most of the night to escape defenders and make allowances for the passing game. He ran for 163 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 364 yards and a touchdown.
It was a total performance by Heard, as he set a University of Texas record for total offense by a single player.
Texas and Cal traded touchdowns in the first quarter with Jared Goff finding Maurice Harris to notch the first points on the scoreboard. Jerrod Heard answered with a 2-yard touchdown run at the 5:16 mark.
The Longhorns jumped out to an early second quarter lead on a Nick Rose field goal, but Goff would find Kenny Lawler for a touchdown, giving Cal a 14-10 lead. Johnathan Gray would add a pair of rushing touchdowns and it looked like Texas would take a 24-14 lead into the locker room at the half.
With :52 seconds left in the half, Jared Goff would lead the Golden Bears into the end zone, capping a 4 play, 75-yard drive. At that point Texas led Cal 24-21.
On the ensuing drive by the Longhorns, Jerrod Heard’s pass would be intercepted by a Cal linebacker that dropped into coverage. The Texas defense would hold the Cal offense to a field goal, which tied the score at 24-24 at the half.
The third quarter belonged to the Golden Bears, as they scored three touchdowns – the lone points in the quarter. As the clock wound down and the fourth quarter began, Cal led Texas 45-24. The Golden Bears had put the last thirty-one points on the board.
Then came the juice.
Jerrod Heard found the end zone on a 13-yard scurry with 13:24 left in the fourth quarter trimming the Cal lead over the Longhorns to 45-31.
It would take Texas ten minutes to score again, which came in the form of a 92-yard drive that resulted in a 27-yard touchdown run by D’Onta Foreman.
With three minutes left in the game Texas trailed Cal 45-38.
Nick Rose’s on-side kick attempt was recovered by the Golden Bears. Texas managed to hold Cal to three and out on the drive, and Jared Goff’s pooch kick found its way to the Texas 19-yard line.
Heard would put together a masterful final drive for the Longhorns, finishing it with a 45-yard run into the Cal end zone.
After rallying back from a three touchdown deficit, the Longhorns were an extra point away from tying the game and likely sending it into overtime. Unfortunately, Nick Rose’s point after attempt following Heard’s 45-yard touchdown run late in the 4th quarter, went low and right.
The air was officially sucked out of Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium.
It was a tough loss for Charlie Strong and the Longhorns, but one that positives can be drawn from. Particularly Jerrod Heard’s play.
Without question, the ‘juice’ was sweet tonight. It just wasn’t enough in the end.
Texas (1-2) will open Big 12 play next week against Top-25 ranked Oklahoma State (3-0) in Austin.
Game Notes:‘”
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[*]Texas tailback Johnathan Gray finished the night with 42 yards and 2 touchdowns
[*]Daje Johnson led all wide receivers with 145 yards
[*]Cal quarterback Jared Goff threw for 268 yards and 3 touchdowns
[*]Jerrod Heard scattered the ball to seven different receivers
[*]Dylan Haines was ejected early in the game for targeting
[*]Jason Hall left with an injury and was replaced by Kevin Vaccaro
[*]Malik Jefferson tweaked and ankle, had it taped and returned
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