HornSports Staff
HornSports.com
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The hit that changed the game and maybe the Texas Longhorns's season... Around 9 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter, the Longhorns needed a jolt - something to wake them up from the slumber that befell them in Manhattan, KS. With the Horns trailing 6-3, Patrick Mahomes kept a zone read run, and senior Quandre Diggs seized an opportunity to take a chance to re-establish Texas toughness.
And then BOOOOOOM!!!
Diggs' hit and the subsequent turnover changed the outlook of the game. While the hit knocked Mahomes out of the game, making it easier for the Longhorns to win the game, it also made a huge impact on the defense and the offense. The defense played with more confidence, more tenacity and took more risks. Those risks backfired towards the end of the second half when the Red Raiders were able to easily score, but the Longhorns, with new found confidence from Diggs' hit, answered that touchdown with a quick 68 yard pass and then a touchdown run by Johnathan Gray.
Tyrone Swoopes also had the confidence to make bigger throws in the game, as evidenced by long throws to John Harris and Jaxon Shipley for big gains. The running backs also got a jolt of energy running to the tune of over 192 yards and 3 touchdowns. Additionally, the Longhorns got a solid contribution from Daje Johnson, as he rushed twice (once for 30 yards and the other for 12 yards).
Texas needed a wake up call, not only for themselves, but for this fan-base as well. The burnt orange faithful needed to see something to prove that not all hope is not lost, and that the chance to become bowl eligible is legitimate. The Longhorns, nay the senior captain Quandre Diggs, gave that to team and fans.
Now the question becomes, can they step up at home and beat West Virginia in what has become a must win game? It's impossible to know, but if the Longhorns play with the intensity Quandre Diggs showed on Saturday, they have a great chance.
Other College Football thoughts from Week 10:
- I know the situation at Penn State is different than the one in Texas, but when you have an inexperienced offensive line, you leave room for critical mistakes like you saw in State College, PA.
- Florida has received no votes in any poll. Who wants to predict they will be in the top 20 after the win against Georgia? I will.
- Duke and Pittsburgh decided to play a basketball game today and it went into double overtime. It was quite entertaining.
- MICHIGAN WINS A FOOTBALL GAME! I don't know why I am yelling or celebrating this but it's been a terrible year for them and they at least are still alive for a bowl game.
- TCU and West Virginia played one heck of a game. Hopefully TCU's win boosts the national perception of the Big 12. I expect a very upset West Virginia team in Austin next week.
- Kyle Allen threw the ball 28 times and had 106 passing yards for Texas A&M. The Aggies are fallingquickly. Luckily for Kevin Sumlin, they won and reached bowl eligibility but things in College Station are not pleasant.
- Ole Miss lost their playoff chance and their best player on the same play. That's a tough pill to swallow.
- I know ESPN is trying to sell Mississippi State as a great team, but I don't see it. I expect them to have 2 losses by the end of the season.
- Alabama should not jump Oregon in the playoff standings but I wouldn't be shocked if they do.
- Everett Golson for Heisman. 315 yards passing, 6 total TDs on Saturday - how is he not getting more love?
- Tennessee beat South Carolina in overtime. Texas A&M's signature win is 4-5 on the year.
- I know I don't want to hash old topics but Cayleb Jones is tearing it up at Arizona. He had to go but he would have been a huge player on this Texas team.
