The Couches Are Safe: Texas beats West Virginia

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It was another off night for the Texas Longhorns against an opponent they should have dominated, but in the end the Longhorns prevailed in Morgantown 47-40 in OT Saturday night.

The game started off in disastrous fashion as an Anthony Fera punt on the first drive was blocked for a safety. The Mountaineers then drove 42 yards in six plays to go up 9-0 on the back of Charles Sims two yard touchdown run.

Just when things started to turn around as Texas was mounting its second drive, Daje Johnson fumbled at his own 46 yard line. The Texas defense bowed up and forced a three and out, which Texas gave right back as Case McCoy was intercepted on the following drive. The teams traded fruitless drives, ones where Clint Trickett was battered by the Texas defense and knocked out of the game.The Longhorns forced a Clint Trickett fumble and turned it into a Field Goal. The first quarter saw WVU leading Texas 9-3.

The Longhorns punted on a short drive to open the second quarter, and on the ensuing drive again sacked a Mountaineer QB, this time Paul Millard, who fumbled at the WVU 27. Texas quickly drove five plays for a touchdown to put the Longhorns on top 10-9 off the strength of Malcolm Brown’s tough running. Texas forced a punt on the following drive, then had to punt itself. On that drive, Charles Sims struck again from six yards out to put WVU back on top 16-10. Texas punted again, and then on 3rd 8 from the WVU 16 Paul Millard was sacked and fumbled. Texas settled for a Field Goal to close to within 16-13. WV then drove 80 yards in 12 plays and closed the half with a field goal to pull ahead 19-13.

Texas was forced to punt on its first third quarter drive, but didn’t have to wait long to get the ball again as Paul Millard was intercepted from the WV 15 yard line on the following drive. Texas converted this into another Fera field goal to close to within 19-16. On the following drive, West Virginia went 91 yards in 10 plays, capped off by another Charles Sims touchdown, going up 26-16.

Case McCoy answered on the following drive hitting Mike Davis from 49 yards out to close to within 26-23. The Texas defense again forced a quick punt by WV, and the Horns rolled 61 yards on seven plays to go up 30-26 on a 49 yard TD pass to Mike Davis.

Just inside the 4th quarter, West Virginia went back on top 33-30 on an eight yard touchdown run by Dreamius Smith. Texas kept the video game going, responding with an eight play, 6o yard drive capped by a 10 yard touchdown catch by Jaxon Shipley. 37-33 Longhorns with about nine minutes left.

Just when you thought things might get back under control, Paul Millard hit Mario Alford on a short pass he took 71 yards for a touchdown, putting WVU back on top 40-37. Texas got the ball back with about two and a half minutes left in the game, and drove down to tie it at 40 on a 24 yard field goal by Anthony Fera. Tied at 40, it was time for Mack Brown’s first overtime game.

In the extra period, Texas went up 47-40 on a sick two yard touchdown pass to Alex De La Torre. WVU had one last gasp, but Steve Edmond sealed it with an end zone interception as the Horns escaped 47-40.

With the win, Texas moves to 7-2, 6-0 and continues its collision course with Baylor.