The Morning After (By: Chris Flanagan)

[HornSports Staff]

 
photo credit: USA Today

in Texas Longhorns Football By Chris Flanagan
 
Quote

"The Road To Athletic Greatness Is Not Marked By Perfection, But The Ability To Constantly Overcome Adversity And Failure." - Nike
I don't normally quote advertisements, but this one felt right.

The Longhorns came into the ISU game with the idea that they would run all over the Cyclones. That didn't happen but it felt like it was heading in that direction early on. Texas jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and, as it happened, it seemed like it would stay that way the entire game. However the Cyclones were able to get the no huddle offense running and answered the Longhorns throughout the night.

If the Cyclones defense got a stop, the Texas Longhorns would respond with a stop. If the Longhorns got a touchdown, the Cyclones would get a touchdown. When Iowa State needed a turnover, they seem to get one. When the Longhorns needed a big turnover, they got one. This went on for what seemed like forever.

It felt like Groundhog Day all over again...that, once again, the Longhorns would play a great game but find some way to lose the game. But the Longhorns didn't back down. This week, the discipline was better and the determination felt stronger.

And what happened? They learned to win. After going up 45-38 with 1:19 to go in the game. The Longhorns were ready to celebrate. Finally some room to breath.

One problem...the Cyclones weren't ready to go away. They marched right down the field and scored with 0:28 to go in the game. Charlie Strong admitted that he was trying to play for overtime but he thought, might as well try to see what could happen. Tyrone Swoopes showed his game changing ability with 2 big throws to put the Longhorns at the 4 yard line. Then, with all the confidence in the world, Nick Rose nails the game winning field goal to win the game for the Longhorns.

Now I bet you know that Texas has an 11-1 record all-time over Iowa State. Outsiders will say "Wow, you're celebrating a win over Iowa State?" Let them laugh at you. Let them know what they are missing. You are witnessing a team on the road to greatness. One that faces constant adversity, fear, and suspense every Saturday. The Longhorns finally overcame their failures and found a way to win. That's what good teams do every week. This isn't a good team but they are on the right road.

Other Week 8 College Football Thoughts:

• When you play the Kansas State Wildcats, you can not make any mistakes. If you do, they will beat you. That's exactly what happened to the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday afternoon. Texas Longhorn fans hope that the Wildcats might overlook the Longhorns in the next game, but I highly doubt it. They love to beat the big dogs and they will get up for this game.
• Hopefully the Texas A&M Aggies will not be in the top 25 after their loss to Alabama. At the end of the day, Kevin Sumlin is a great offensive mind but has always lacked a good defense. He will score a bunch of points against weaker opponents but will never put together a full game or the full season required to win a championship.
• Give credit where credit is due with West Virginia. They completely dominated the Baylor Bears and they have a lot of momentum going into the rest of their schedule. They still have to play TCU, but they play TCU in Morgantown.
• I was hoping that Iowa would pull off the upset, if you can call it that, against Maryland. They made a big push at the end, but they couldn't finish it.
• I kept saying that Oklahoma State would get beat if they could not execute early on offense. I was right.
• Towards the end of the UCLA-Cal game, kick returner Trevor Davis took an inadvertent knee to the head and had to be carted off the field. Let's hope the injury is nothing serious - I hated to see that.
• I didn't think that was an offensive pass interference on Notre Dame. I guess that's just the Irish in me. I don't think you make that call with so little time to go in the game. On the other hand, it's not fair to FSU to lose on an illegal play. Pretty good game all around.
• It felt like most of the games on Saturday were not that close. No major upsets. Boring but it's better than no football which will be coming soon.

 

[TheContractor]

Clear PI by 2 players on that play. Should have been called earlier in the game bc it happened then also. If a penalty occurs it should be called with 14:55 left in the first Q or :02 left in the game. Timing has nothing to do if it is a penalty. 100% correct call. i dont give a crap who won that game. Both teams played well and it was a great game to see( at least the last 2 mins). 

 

[HornEsch]

Great write up, even a little Irish colored glasses at the end.

I think your first part about the Longhorns is spot on. Learning to win is not always easy, even against a team that on paper, you should beat fairly easily. Teams that learning to win, tend to play to the level of their competition and we have seen that. We played Baylor close, almost beat OU, yet struggled against Kansas and Iowa State.

I believe our guys are going to benefit from this game. They see if they fight hard in every game they can/will win. This is the foundation.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Nice article! It's nice to see the team taking steps forward. I think the loss of Jason Hall was bigger than most believed it would be.

I was also surprised throughout the game that we didn't impose the run more than we did. In the first half, specifically the first quarter, we were getting what we wanted on the ground and could have really worn them down, but it didn't happen. The Swoopes interception in the red zone was a big one that would have put us up 21-0 and taken a lot of wind out of their sails, but you hit the nail on the head when you spoke about it being a great learning experience in regards to overcoming adversity.

And let's hear it for the crowd at DKR. From my view from the couch of my home in the mountains of East TN, it sure seemed like the place was rockin'. That was a great game for the fans.

In regards to the ND-FSU game/PI, put all your blame on the WR. If he hadn't used his hands/arms and just held them up in the air, I don't think that penalty is called. He didn't sell it like he should have and it resulted in a loss.

 

[Chris Flanagan]

Clear PI by 2 players on that play. Should have been called earlier in the game bc it happened then also. If a penalty occurs it should be called with 14:55 left in the first Q or :02 left in the game. Timing has nothing to do if it is a penalty. 100% correct call. i dont give a crap who won that game. Both teams played well and it was a great game to see( at least the last 2 mins). 

After sleeping on it, it was the right call. It sucks for ND because they played one heck of a game. Next Labor Day in South Bend is going to be off the hook when Texas gets there.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Y'all are gonna make me go find video of this PI call, aren't you? 

 

[echeese]

love the ground hog day analogy. . .good stuff.

 

[Juan]

KSU opens as 13-point fav

We are 1-5 all-time there

Q: Guess who was the QB for that win?

*

*

*

*

Need a hint?  was 2002

*

*

*

A; Chris Simms

 

[HornEsch]

^^ Ouch

 

[Duke C #11]

I really hate it when someone makes the argument  that penalties shouldn't be called at certain times of a game. By the way, I don't understand watching any game that kicks off at the same time as UT. Maybe that's just me. 

 

[lakeman74]

The Longhorns got a win and I can't wait for next week against Kansas State.  Let's go to that dump of a town and whip some ass!

 

[TheContractor]

After sleeping on it, it was the right call. It sucks for ND because they played one heck of a game. Next Labor Day in South Bend is going to be off the hook when Texas gets there.

One of the best games of the year. Both are good teams and both have a shot at the playoffs. Only saw a few minutes of the game but what i saw was great. 

We need the extra 3 weeks of bowl practice to improve for next year. @ South Bend to start the year will be big time, hopefully gameday.

 

[Juan]

 

[Topstarr]

I am calling it right now....Texas wins a close one with K State..... B)