Follow along as I jot down notes from the pressbox at DKR during Texas’ week five matchup against the Kansas Jayhawks. This article will be updated throughout Saturday’s contest.
Pregame:
- Once again, there may be a story at quarterback for the opposing team as Jason Daniels did not participate for much of his team’s warmups.
- If Daniels is unable to go for today’s game, the Jayhawks will have to turn to redshirt senior Jason Bean.
First Quarter:
- Jason Bean gets the start at quarterback for the Jayhawks. While Bean has a decent amount of experience, Daniels was named the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year entering this season.
- It is still very early in the game but Quinn Ewers looks much more comfortable in the pocket. He has navigated the space with a little bit more ease and showed good awareness on a 30-yard touchdown scamper as well.
Second Quarter:
- If Texas wants to win the big games, they will have to convert when they are in the red zone. Following a big 67-yard rush from Texas running back Jonathon Brooks, the offense stalled.
- Touchdowns in the red zone are big for multiple reasons. Of course, it is immensely less difficult to win games when you are putting up seven points consistently, compared to three. Additionally, the team does not have to rely on fate to go their way on special teams.
- Texas kicker Bert Auburn has been pretty reliable this year, but he showcased why you do not want to rely on fate as he missed from 50-yards on a later drive.
- Touchdowns in the red zone are big for multiple reasons. Of course, it is immensely less difficult to win games when you are putting up seven points consistently, compared to three. Additionally, the team does not have to rely on fate to go their way on special teams.
Halftime Thoughts:
- Obviously, the Longhorns have left a lot on the table against Kansas so far. While holding a lead at the half is good, Texas cannot continue to shoot themselves in the foot offensively when they make it past midfield.
- Especially against the Jayhawks, a team that has not performed well in the red zone on the defensive side of the football this season.
- The Jayhawks are hanging in there, even without Jalon Daniels. Down just six points entering halftime, you would have to think that Kansas head coach Lance Leipold is more than happy with where they are at, considering the first half of play.
Third Quarter:
- Great job by Quinn Ewers to move the chains with his legs when the offense was on the brink of going three-and-out to start the second half of play. Just a few plays later, Jonathon Brooks finds the end zone on a massive 54-yard touchdown run.
- Kansas’s failed conversion on fourth-and-inches seemed to have given the Longhorns juice as they marched 32-yards and punched the ball into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown rush by Jonathon Brooks.
Fourth Quarter:
- Momentum is real and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Following Texas’s defensive stop on fourth down, the Longhorns added two quick touchdowns to the scoreboard.
- Quinn Ewers has not had his most accurate of games but he has placed the ball in spots where his receivers can make plays. Additionally, his placement of the football has protected his receivers from being on the wrong side of a hard hit.
- It looks like Quinn Ewers’ Chick-fil-A-free diet has paid off for the Texas gunslinger, as he has already rushed for five touchdowns this season.
- In ten games of play last season, Ewers had one touchdown rush.
- Was this the prettiest of games? Certainly not. But this team just finds a way to win, and there is something to be said about that. Of course, tough challenges are looming but today, Texas is 5-0.
