Weeden, Oklahoma State beat Texas 38-26

http://www.bevoball.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ashosu.jpgThe underdog Texas Longhorns put up a fight today against the 6th ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys but it wasn’t quite enough in the end.   Mack Brown and company presented only one quarterback today, David Ash, who played the entire game and finished 22/40 for 139 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.  Not stellar numbers we know, but the on-the-job training Ash received today was invaluable.  In previous games Mack Brown went with a dual quarterback approach, splitting snaps between Ash and Case McCoy.  Ash impressed the coaching staff most since the Oklahoma game and he got the start today against Oklahoma State as a result.   

While the team did lose today, let’s look at the positives.  Highly touted running back Malcolm Brown had somewhat of a coming out party today.  Brown reached the 100 yard plateau for the first time this season, carrying the ball 19 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns.  Running back  Fozzy Whittaker averaged four yards per carry, but most impressive were the 252 kickoff return yards the senior racked up, including a 100 yard return (which was Whittaker’s second in as many weeks).   The Manny Diaz led Texas defense played well overall but were gashed for yardage when it mattered, including Jeremy Smith touchdown runs of 74 and 30 yards.  Notably the defense managed to pressure Brandon Weeden, who threw for 218 yards and one touchdown.  If we had to give a game ball to a defensive player it would go to Carrington Byndom.  Byndom had the awkward task of trying to contain Oklahoma State star wideout Justin Blackmon, and did a really good job.  Blackmon had 7 receptions for 74 yards and one touchdown but Byndom minimized the damage.  Byndom is an up and coming defensive back and proved his worth today.

While the Case McCoy /David Ash quarterback saga is sure to get more attention in the bye week, we applaud coach Mack Brown and his coaching staff for selecting a quarterback and sticking with him.   The next opponent for the Longhorns is Kansas and, with no disrespect to the Jayhawks, we can see a situation where both players might have the opportunity to play.  In the end the player that is most capable will lead this Longhorn team this year and for the next several years.  We will leave that up to the coaching staff…