Decoding Bellmont after beating WVU

[Matt Cotcher]

Charlie Strong: “You look at us offensively the way we've played the first half was unbelievable how we ran that football. We had some stalls there in the second half, and then weren't able to get the score until late in the game. But just overall very pleased how hard our running backs ran, and then just how the offensive line just opened up holes and we were able to just run the ball so well.”

Reading between the lines – This was like a proud papa – Strong was happy for the entire offense. To see them execute what they’ve been working on in practices for months sounded like a mix of excitement, surprise, and relief all at the same time.



Charlie Strong: “Kicking game, we know we've got to continue to improve that. We can't miss the kicks, and know the punting game we've got to improve with that.”

Reading between the lines – It’s pretty clear at this point that Charlie Strong values consistency and dependability on the football field. He’s not getting either from the special teams unit. The other thing that’s clear by now is that if there was a solution on the roster, Strong would have found it.



Charlie Strong: “But we know that we can really improve. We can get better, which we still have some areas where we can really improve in.”

Reading between the lines – No rest for the weary – most of the team talked about enjoying the win for one night, not Strong. As quick as he was to recognize hard work paying off, he transitioned even faster into what the team can do better. Two words came to mind – Focused & Relentless.



Charlie Strong: “it's always an open competition. If you can't get it done, that's why we need that. We have to have guys who can compete. In your positions, you have to understand, if you want that position, you have to play well to keep it.”

Reading between the lines – No participation trophies in this locker room. The man changed punters in the tenth game of the season. Let that sink in for a minute…



Charlie Strong: “The mark of a champion is being able to repeat last week's performance. Can we do that again and put it all together?”

Reading between the lines – This was a statement saying, â€œI’m not impressed until we go do it for four quarters and do it two weeks in a row.” And, make no mistake, if they can do those things, the bar will raise again.



Shawn Watson: “Can't say enough about what Johnathan's doing and what Malcolm's doing because they've had to be patient this year. It's really gratifying for me to see the success come their way.”

Reading between the lines –That’s high praise for his two running backs, but, really, it’s a comment on offensive line play. Watson has a pair of top tier backs and has asked them to take one for the team while they build some semblance of an OL. For all that fans take shots at Watson about, this is one facet that should be recognized more.



Shawn Watson: “Yeah, Ty's basically -- I think he's seeing the rush. He didn't set his feet and make the kind of throws he was making in the first half. He's having to deal with a lot of pressure, and young quarterbacks, they see a lot of pressure, they don't set their feet. It's one of the things we've got to grow him through. It's part of the process he's going through. He's got to gain confidence.”

Reading between the lines –There is a lot more to this game than Joe Internet saying, â€œSwoopes sucks.” While fans see overall results that they don’t like, Watson sees individual plays and specific problems. It’s keeping his eyes downfield on one play, a misread on another, poor pass pro on a different play, etc.



Quandre Diggs: “Coaches give us these great tip sheets and you know, you read those things and you watch that film and great things happen.”

Reading between the lines – Everybody should hope that some of Diggs’ work ethic is rubbing off on younger players. Against West Virginia and throughout the season, the senior corner has played smart football.



Cedric Reed: “I wouldn't say [this was a signature win]. It's just another win, another Big 12 win.”

Reading between the lines – A TV reporter ran around post-game and asked every player and coach the same thing, â€œIs this the signature win that this team has been looking for?” Reed and Malcom Brown both blew his question out of the water.



Clint Trickett: “They are one win away now from a bowl game, so they are fighting for a lot. We are too but they wanted it more a little bit in the first half and we just ran out of time in the second half.”

Reading between the lines – Matt Leinart, Part II? 

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

“They are one win away now from a bowl game, so they are fighting for a lot. We are too but they wanted it more a little bit in the first half and we just ran out of time in the second half.†- Clint Trickett

aggie wannabe?

 

[HornEsch]

aggie wannabe?

Nah, just too much hairspray

Great write up as always! I really enjoy the, Decoding Bellmont, piece!

 

[BevoBlake]

Watson called his best game this season on Saturday. Even when the offense was stalling out, the gameplan was there and it simply wasn't executed well. We can't ride this high for long, we need one more win for a bowl game. We need to get it this weekend. Focus and relentlessness is 100% correct.

 

[dillohorn]

Good analysis.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Great write up as always! I really enjoy the, Decoding Bellmont, piece!

Thank you - this is one of my favorite pieces to write every week. It's a way to try and convey the context of what gets said. Fans only get to read transcripts and context gets lost.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Love it!

 

[Topstarr]

Longhorns do want it and UT will take it

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Cedric Reed: “I wouldn't say [this was a signature win]. It's just another win, another Big 12 win.”

Three days later and this still cracks me up.