echeese
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View from the Cheap Seats Norte Dame 2016
Great Googly Mooglies​
The most exciting TEXAS game since the 2005 title game? Better than the 2008 Fiesta Bowl vs. tOSU, though another great game. We can debate but certainly the biggest and most exciting win in the Charlie Strong era. Yes, bigger than OU last year.
Was this the most electric crowd in TEXAS history? Certainly in the running as it appeared on the tube, will defer to those who were there but certainly y seemed to be the loudest crowd since Mizzu in 2008 and I was there for that.
Some notable milestones. 1st time TEXAS started a true freshman QB since 1944 and the legendary Bobby Layne. 1st time at TEXAS that the opponent scored 1st and TEXAS has won. CFS’ 2nd win over a top 10 opponent at TEXAS. 1st TEXAS win over Norte Dame since 1970
To me, single most important result of the game, besides winning obviously, the poise displayed by the entire TEXAS team. TEXAS gets off to a 17 point lead in the 3rd quarter, sees the lead evaporate behind a 21-0 run from Norte Dame, keeps their composure, and continues to make plays. Lining up for what should create a 3 point lead, TEXAS gets the extra point blocked and returned for a 2 point conversion and a tie game. 3 minutes left, TEXAS’ D steps up in a big way and forces a punt. TEXAS drives down to the 30, just outside of FG range, 1st down. Chop block penalty, they called it on Vahe but replay didn’t show him committing the infraction, 1st and 25. Snap sails past Buechelle, 2nd and 33. Another missed opportunity slips away (more on those later). End of the game, overtime.
Still this team never got down on itself, they never succumbed to the pressure, they just went about their business. After trading TDs in overtime, the D stands up in the 2nd OT and forces a FG. Door is now open. Buechelle with a great pass to Warrick who was one step from scoring but stopped at the 5 on a shoe string tackle. Bring on the 18 Wheeler package and on 3rd and 5, Tyrone Swoopes was NOT TO BE DENIED. He eludes a ND defensive tackle in the backfield and wiggles through the LBs, diving into the end zone to seal the win.
Offensive player of the game: D’Onte Foreman. I know Shane is the popular choice and wouldn’t argue against Swoopes but thought D’onte was the man. 24 rushes 131 yards with a TD. Unsung heros of the O: Jake Oliver. 2 of his 3 catches for key 1st downs and had the 3rd catch been in front of him, he’d have been 3 for 3 and the offensive line, big uglies faced a very good ND DL and acquitted themselves very well. Honorable Mention. . .Twin brother Armani who’s sliding TD catch was a thing of beauty. And I’ve gotta throw TS some love, that 18 wheeler package was pretty special and his 5 yard run to win the game, impressive.
Pre-game bet I would have lost. Not only did Collin Johnson have zero catches, he had zero targets from what I saw.
Defensive player of the game: Easy and expect to see him often this year, Malik Jefferson Unsung D hero: Naashon Hughes though his biggest play was a blocked FG. Overall the defensive line held their own vs. one of the best O Lines they will see this year. Honorable mention to DeShon Elliott for breaking up a Tori Hunter 3rd down TD (hope Tori is OK). Hughes would block the FG attempt to blunt a ND drive which might have flipped the outcome
Special teams hero was our Aussie born punter. 6 punts, 55 yard average, constantly pinning ND deep when it looked like they’d have great field position. Now punt coverage left something to be desired
The woulda/shoulda/coulda 20/20 hindsight moment of the game, realizing what a mistake it was bringing Shaun Watson over as OC. Sterling Gilbert’s offense put up 50 points and honestly, it left at least 10 points if not 17 on the table. None of that Gilbert’s fault, dropped passes, over or underthrown passes; special teams penalties (more on those later). It would be hard to fault either coach’s gameplan. I’ve been a loud critic of Vance Bedford but he was playing against a more talented team and the D came up big when they were really needed. In fact outside of the 3rd quarter 21-0 run by ND, the D played really well. And that was a talented offense.
Big props to Charlie Strong. He had his guys ready, they never lost faith and twice he would “play to winâ€, going for it on 4th and short. In the past, CFS often seemed to play “not to loseâ€. No one panicked no one lost sight of what the team does best. Not going to nitpick but suffice to say, very few changes from the coaches stand point.
We lost special teams, field position and the turnover battle and we still won. Impressive.
And there was no question that Shane Buechelle is the quarterback for TEXAS, kid was channeling his inner Iceman from Top Gun. . . . pure ice in his veins. In front of a record crowd at DKR, Top 10 opponent, true freshman was money. 16 of 26, 280 yards, 2 TDs. . .even after getting picked. . .comes back calm and cool. But have to say, giving him a QB draw as his 1st play back not only caught ND off guard but seemed to really calm him down. And in the 2nd half, his runs were critical
Now it’s not all good news. As Norte Dame was on their 21-0 run, my notes took a turn for the ugly. “TEXAS imploding†was at the top of the page. I feared that would be the story of the game, another defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. In a game that TEXAS should have won, there would be no “moral victory†for hanging tough. And in hindsight, had TEXAS lost, it would have been about “missed opportunitiesâ€. .. . .starting with John Burt dropping a long TD pass on TEXAS’ 1st series. Took his eyes off it. We had 2 penalties on punt returns; one by Tim Cole AFTER Warrick was out of bounds on a nice run setting up great field position. This cost TEXAS a shot at a FG at the end of the 1st half. Kyle Porter with a really bad personal foul on a kickoff return putting the team in a hole inside the 15. 2 bad snaps by Shackleford would stall drives. ND would also spend the 2nd half with much more favorable starting field position.
Hey Coach Gilbert, Shane is 191 lbs, lets not be running QB sneaks with him. 1st one was OK, numbers were on his side, 2nd one. . ..ND stacked the inside. . .we have big bruising RBs.. .hand off or bring TS in the game. Had visions of KSU in 2006 and a potential National Title trip flutter away.
Net Net, TEXAS just went from “hope we win 8†to legit BigXII contenders this year. Not to be Debbie downer but can CFS translate this win into week over week success. Beat OU last year only to have ISU shut us out. . . ..though I don’t think Sterling, Shane, D’Onte and this offense is going to get shut out.
Wildest opening weekend I can recall. Only thing that pissed me off was UCLA choking to the Gomers. Well that and stacking College pick’em backward and taking my score from 47 down to 33. OU beat up by Cougar High, sorry Tom, CFS says you can’t have his job. LSU beaten by Whisky which marked 3 of the Top 10 falling week 1. My too early call, Tom Herman to LSU. Bama just ROLLED USC, can we go on record saying the Pac 12 is OVER-RATED?
Ranking the BigXII​
TEXAS You ain’t braggin’ if you can do it. Big time win over a Top 10 team
Okie Lite Looked good running roughshod over a mutt. Glad we have a bye week before traveling to Stillwater.
Baylor Beat a mutt
OU Yeah, they lost, to what appears a good team. We might go into the RRW as the favorite, kicking myself for not taking TEXAS and the 8 points pre-season
WVU Beat Mizzu
TCU Did not look good vs an FCS team
TT Beat a mutt
KSU Lost but kept it close with Stanford
ISU What a freaking joke, lost to FCS Northern Iowa
KU They suck
As always, the Cheap Seats is written without reading other commentary. All thoughts, ideas or comments welcome
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